Onix Reference 1.5 SE

[ZoFo]

I have been looking for a new set of ID speakers and had my list down to either Accend's or the Onix Rockets when I saw that Onix had the Reference 1.5's on sale for $700 a pair so I jumped on it and bought two sets. This speaker's normal price was $1,800 a pair but it is being replaced by the Ref. 1.8 so they were clearing them out and they went fast, I got some of the last sets they had left. I have also ordered the Onix Reference 100 center channel to go with these speakers but will not be getting it until May.

Has anyone out there ever heard the Reference 1.5's used in a HT? This was not my first choice in the Onix line but I just could not pass up on that deal! I am sure they would be great for 2-channel & SACD / DVD-A but now I am wondering how they will do for HT since that is what I will use them for the majority of the time.

How does the Reference Line compare to the Rocket line of speakers? It is my understanding that the Reference is a more "accurate" speaker and that is exactly what I am looking for and why I was looking hard at the Accends (still plan on getting a pair of 170 SE's for 2-channel). These will also be my first pair of 4 ohm speakers, but that was my "justification" for buying a 200w Amp over the 125w Amp in January; I wanted to be able to handle any speaker I might buy in the future. Of course I didn't know that the "future" would only be 3 months!

Any thoughts or experiences with this speaker would be appreciated!

 

[jcPanny]

Onix reference

FYI, all of the onix reference 1.5s and ref 100 center have a 4 ohm impedence. I am enjoying the Reference 1's I recently purchased which are the bookshelf version of the ref 1.5. You might consider upgrading to the new UL amp which will deliver 200 Watts into 6 channels or adding a second 2 channel amp for the new speakers.

I think that you will find that the Refrence line will excel at 2 channel and might consider holding off on the ascends. They will also work well for HT, but they aren't capable of the high SPLs over a rocket type floorstander with multiple bass and mid drivers. See the av123 forum for plenty of comparisons.

Buy the way, were you able to get a discount or family price on the center channel? The regular retail is out of my budget, so I might wait for B-stock.

 

[ZoFo]

Yes JC, got a good deal on the Center Channel

After purchasing the 1.5's I asked for the family discount on the Ref. 100 Center Channel and got it for $650, reg price is $800. Problem is I won't be getting it until the middle of May, they have already sold out on the next shipment that has not even arrived yet!

I have a new Outlaw 7700 200W X 7 balanced amp so this will be plenty of power for a 4 ohm speaker, glad I upgraded from their 125w Amp even though it was not needed at the time to push my Energy Connisoures.

I realize that I will not get the SPL's that I would with the Rockets, but it I don't listen at high vollume. I had the Athena F-2 in my system a year ago, 2 - 8" drivers, and found the F-1 with it's single 8" driver much better suited for my listening area; the F-2 was too much speaker.

Are you using your Ref. 1's for HT or just two channel? I will be using a Hsu VTF3-MK II sub with the Ref. 1.5's as mains & surrounds and a Ref.100 Center Channel. Scheduled to arrive this Friday, cain't wait!

 

[jcPanny]

Current system

Ear bleading reference levels are not an issue for me either so I think I will be fine with the Onix Reference line.
I have the Ref 1's setup for two channel right now and plan to add a UFW-10 or X-sub next. Followed by the Ref 100 center (when I can get a good deal) and maybe the Ref 0.5's for the surrounds. I will probably also pick up one of the UL amps to power the 4 ohm speakers. I will try to hold out for reviews of the UL and their upcomming X-series digital amps.

I also made the huge upgrade from Athena.

 

[ZoFo]

Have you thought about the SP3?

They are just about giving away a pair of Ref. 1's with this tube amp; $1,200 combo price and I think it can be had for closer to $1,000.

I think I will jump on this soon for a 2-channel setup; pair the SP3 up with a pair of the 1.5's and use the Ref. 1's that come with the amp for my rear surrounds.

 

[ggunnell]

The Ref100 is a very good speaker -- the 2nd Atohm woofer adds a richness of tone that is worth the extra outlay over the Ref1. Folks who don't consider Ref100s for all three speakers across the front are missing out at this price point

I also recommend adding ERT's to Refs that don't have them built in. The combination of the ERTs and the Vifa XTs makes one of the nicest high ends in affordable audio, beating the B&W tweeters up to the diamond IMO.

 

[toquemon]

I recently purchased a pair of Ref's 1 and I'm very, very pleased with them. Their highs are awsome and sweet. That ring radiator tweeter is stunning!. I think they deserve a review from the Audioholics staff!, I'm possitive that the Ref's 1 will overtake the place that the bookshelf-doublewoofer Axioms had.

 

[Tex-amp]

I think they deserve a review from the Audioholics staff!, I'm possitive that the Ref's 1 will overtake the place that the bookshelf-doublewoofer Axioms had.

I certainly hope that at $1500 the Ref1 is better than the the $400 Axiom M22s.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

You're going to love them! And with your sub I think you'll be please from a HT standpoint as well!

 

[ZoFo]

Very happy with the Ref 1.5's & HT

I was afraid that these speakers would be too bright but compared to my Energies they are far from it; I really like the Vifa XT ring tweeter vs. metal dome tweets. The detail & imaging of the Ref 1.5's is nothing short of incredible and they do have a much better mid-range then the C-C3 and that's exactly what I was looking for.

I am still waiting on the Ref 100 center channel, I would have used three of these for the front end if the 1.5's were not on close-out. I have been using 3 Energy C-C3 LCR speakers for my fronts; I like having perfectly matched fronts and that is exactly what I was looking to do again when I ran accross the sale of the Ref 1.5's that I just could not pass up. I wish I had found the Reference 2's when they were on close-out, that extra woofer would have been perfect; will have to wait on the Ref 3's to be replaced.

I ordered the SP3 / Ref 1 combo and it will arrive tomorow; I am going to use one of the Ref 1's for my center channel until the 100 arrives.

 

[Sean Parque]

Heya Tex! Just a FYI...the M22 is $759 in Rosewood - not $400 We also offer the Ref 1 and SP3 Integrated Amp combo everyday for $1199. With the SP3's family price at $699, you can do the math and figure what the Ref 1 is invoiced for

Have a great weekend!

Sean

I certainly hope that at $1500 the Ref1 is better than the the $400 Axiom M22s.

 

[silversurfer]

Heya Tex! Just a FYI...the M22 is $759 in Rosewood - not $400 We also offer the Ref 1 and SP3 Integrated Amp combo everyday for $1199. With the SP3's family price at $699, you can do the math and figure what the Ref 1 is invoiced for

Have a great weekend!

Sean

Not sure I understand. The website says anywhere from $1200 to $1550 for a pair of Ref1's depending on finish.

The M22's begin at $460....and the real wood finishes go up from there.

 

[mlschifter]

Whew... beat me to it...

I guess I can also release a picture of our newest family member... This is a picture of the Front L/R's of our soon to be release ELT II system.

This guy has twin 5.25 woven graphite woofers and a lovely 1 inch aluminum/silk hybrid tweeter...

Just under 20 inches tall... Really nicely finished in our new "supra-vinyl"... This is the "Burl" finish variant...

These will be priced at $129 for the pair...



The new ELT II system with powered 8" sub / dual woofer centre and a lovely set of bookshelfs for the rear channel will come in at $399 it looks like... FOR THE SYSTEM

All the best...

mls

 

[Sean Parque]

Hi Silversurfer. That is true for a regular purchase...I was just saying you can get a killer combo deal with the SP3

The M22's are $759 in Rosewood...which is the similar finish to the Ref 1's we are talking about here...

Sean

Not sure I understand. The website says anywhere from $1200 to $1550 for a pair of Ref1's depending on finish.

The M22's begin at $460....and the real wood finishes go up from there.

 

[mlschifter]

I seem to recall that OUTSIDE of package we are $995 on this... (Family Pricing)

Am I right Sean?

Thanks...

mls

 

[Sean Parque]

You know Mark, for being the pres, you are a bit misinformed And to think this is the guy in the office next to me (when he's actually in the country that is)...

They are a little lower...$900/pr for family members. You don't have to purchase a package to get that...just need to have made a purchase with us before...

Sean

I seem to recall that OUTSIDE of package we are $995 on this... (Family Pricing)

Am I right Sean?

Thanks...

mls

 

[silversurfer]

Hi Silversurfer. That is true for a regular purchase...I was just saying you can get a killer combo deal with the SP3

The M22's are $759 in Rosewood...which is the similar finish to the Ref 1's we are talking about here...

Sean

Right....but if you do not need the SP3, the least expensive Ref1 pair is $1200, and the least expensive M22 pair is $460.

Yes, you can spin it and say the SP3 combo deal is great(basically throwing in the SP3 at no cost to just a pair of speakers), but I think it also shows the kind of mark-up there is.

Just my two-cents.

 

[mlschifter]

Right....but if you do not need the SP3, the least expensive Ref1 pair is $1200, and the least expensive M22 pair is $460.

Yes, you can spin it and say the SP3 combo deal is great(basically throwing in the SP3 at no cost to just a pair of speakers), but I think it also shows the kind of mark-up there is.

Just my two-cents.

Your two cents are worth more than that...

The least expensive way to get the REF I (LE Variant) is $900 (Family Pricing)... and you are completely correct... the least expensive way to get the (really great) M22 (current variant... forgot the suffix) is $460...

Sensational product for the price...

No spin... but you could say it the other way around too... Buy the SP-3 at $1200 dollars and get the REF 1's at No Cost... Up to who is doing the spinning I guess...

At Christmas we ran that package at $999... Sold a ton of them... Very nice deal for a lovely "music making" system... SP-3 won all sorts of nice Year End awards in 2005...

In any event... I think our new Large Bookshelf at $129 per pair will turn some heads... a very nicely packaged product... (in Vinyl though)...

All the best...

mls

 

[silversurfer]

Don't get me wrong, I have heard the Ref1 and M22, given my choice(price aside), I would take the Ref1.

I'm just saying comparing package pricing and standalone pricing is a spin.

 

[mlschifter]

Don't get me wrong, I have heard the Ref1 and M22, given my choice(price aside), I would take the Ref1.

I'm just saying comparing package pricing and standalone pricing is a spin.

Understood... in a very real respect... you are right of course...

I guess I'm having one of "those days"... everything is going "right"... and I'm excited about Mother's Day... we have a HUGE shindig planned...




All the best...

mark