Onix x-ls Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review

[gene]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/Onixxlsp1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[onix] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/onix_th.jpg" align=left vspace=5 border=0></A>The new Onix x-ls bookshelf loudspeaker system represents an unprecedented value. With over ½ of its $199/pair budget dedicated to just the drivers alone, it’s easy to see why their performance easily surpasses their price class. Given the remarkable-for-its-class collection of strengths and the budget-respecting price tag, AV123 has crafted a formidable product that’s musically satisfying and sure to provide years of listening enjoyment.

[Read the Review ]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;[ Measurements &amp; Analysis]

 

[Sheep]

Wow, you guys are good at keeping secrets

Nice review!

SheepStar

 

[kingtut]

The reviewer listed two points of weaknesses in his summary. I wish he explained a little more in his main write-up.

 

[wilkenboy]

Ok, based on this review I'll add these to the list of potentials:

Onix x-ls ($200/pair)
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE ($350/pair)
Axiom M3ti ($320/pair)
Aperion Intimus 532 ($360/pair)

Something here is not like the others - is it fair to class the Onix x-ls with the others here? Should there be others on my eval list?

~Josh

 

[Tex-amp]

"The DIY versions of these drivers total out at just under $110.00, more than half the retail of this product!"

That is just silly. The builder is paying wholesale not retail. Danny used to sell the driver for $24. So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money. That makes it a $6 to $8 dollar or less wholesale driver. And I'm betting they are buying in a lot more volume than Danny did reducing that cost even further. http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/grresearch/drivers2.htm

 

[jcPanny]

Onix speakers

Great review. Too bad that they didn't send the new Onix X-Sub for inclusion in your review of the bookshelf speakers.

Like the above poster, I was set on the Axiom M22ti bookshelf speakers for >$400 per pair. However, great looks and good reviews have me second guessing what the $300 Onix Ref 0.5 and $200 Onix X-LS speakers are capable of.

 

[j_garcia]

"The DIY versions of these drivers total out at just under $110.00, more than half the retail of this product!"

That is just silly. The builder is paying wholesale. Danny used to sell the driver for $24. So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money. That makes it a $6 to $8 dollar or less wholesale driver. And I'm betting they are buying in a lot more volume than Danny did reducing that cost even further. http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/grresearch/drivers2.htm

I'd imagine relatively large volume on the components and overseas built cabinets/assembly probably account for that cost.

I knew I wasn't mistaken when I said these guys would be pretty good The only real downside I can think of is no grilles.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I knew I wasn't mistaken when I said these guys would be pretty good The only real downside I can think of is no grilles.

They look good but grilles are a must in a household that sports two cats, two dogs(one a Great Dane!) and a 5 year old boy.

What about a center...and I agree that they should have sent the new xsub with it and killed two birds with one stone.

I sure when they have a center and put an xsub with it would make a very good system...guess we'll have to wait.


SBF1

p.s. Good job AH on having a review done this fast.

 

[mlschifter]

Ok, based on this review I'll add these to the list of potentials:

Onix x-ls ($200/pair)
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE ($350/pair)
Axiom M3ti ($320/pair)
Aperion Intimus 532 ($360/pair)

Something here is not like the others - is it fair to class the Onix x-ls with the others here? Should there be others on my eval list?

~Josh

COMPLETELY FAIR...

The real part is using the x-ls monitors with the matching x-sub... Now THAT system is really something to behold, and at what... $398 dollars for EVERYTHING...

The hardest part of getting any system right is dialing in the bass... Most of us are sort of stuck as to where we must locate the L/R speakers... (I know I am in all of my rooms except for one)...

Being able to "locate" the sub for best bass really works well... Better power handling too for the monitors as well...

Don't get me wrong here... the x-ls has superb bass, and he handles power real well also... I would judge this speaker to be very smooth and well defined --- and nicely "linear" in it's presentation. Great on all musical choices and easy on the eye too boot...

Thanks for your interest...

All the best...

mls

 

[mlschifter]

I'd imagine relatively large volume on the components and overseas built cabinets/assembly probably account for that cost.

I knew I wasn't mistaken when I said these guys would be pretty good The only real downside I can think of is no grilles.

... after listening to several of you, and taking a look at the poll on our own forums... I've decided to include grills on later runs...

They'll be sort of nifty too... nice design elements have been included...

All the best...

mls

 

[mlschifter]

They look good but grilles are a must in a household that sports two cats, two dogs(one a Great Dane!) and a 5 year old boy.

What about a center...and I agree that they should have sent the new xsub with it and killed two birds with one stone.

I sure when they have a center and put an xsub with it would make a very good system...guess we'll have to wait.


SBF1

p.s. Good job AH on having a review done this fast.

The Centre is already in the hopper...

The system price for 4 x-ls monitors, one Centre (regularly priced at $129) AND the x-sub will be $699 dollars... Really super system at a nicely down to earth price...

Later we will also have a slot / ported 12" high energy sub in this line (MFW-12) for a three hundred dollars more... So for 1K dollar you'll have a system with considerably more slam and loads of output...

All the best...

mls

 

[craigsub]

"The DIY versions of these drivers total out at just under $110.00, more than half the retail of this product!"

That is just silly. The builder is paying wholesale not retail. Danny used to sell the driver for $24. So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money. That makes it a $6 to $8 dollar or less wholesale driver. And I'm betting they are buying in a lot more volume than Danny did reducing that cost even further. http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/grresearch/drivers2.htm

Chris, Directly from The GR Research site ...

T-6 tweeters : $60 per pair
The Bass drivers - $48 per pair

Total to the DIYER ... $108 per pair for the drivers. Now add crossover, posts, binding posts, build a cabinet with a REALLY nice wood finish, etc ... OR ... Buy a $199 pair of loudspeakers. I thought this looked like a heckuva value.

On a side note, I will bet the Gr Research board meeting you attended must have been thrilling when the board discovered they were making a 67 to 75% profit margin on these drivers ...

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

They look good but grilles are a must in a household that sports two cats, two dogs(one a Great Dane!) and a 5 year old boy.

I was thinking the same thing. Great speakers at a decent price from a reliable company. I htought I had finally found my entry level system. But no grills! With a cat, a dog, and a 5-year-old who likes to poke things and throw Hot Wheels around, no way could I take a chance with no grills.

But now that I see grills may be added. I think I'll just wait it out.

 

[mlschifter]

"The DIY versions of these drivers total out at just under $110.00, more than half the retail of this product!"

That is just silly. The builder is paying wholesale not retail. Danny used to sell the driver for $24. So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money. That makes it a $6 to $8 dollar or less wholesale driver. And I'm betting they are buying in a lot more volume than Danny did reducing that cost even further. http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/grresearch/drivers2.htm

Tex...

I think the reviewer is referring to the fact that a "consumer" purchasing these drivers would be paying the aforementioned price...

Of course you are correct, we are paying less as we have large quantity standing orders in place with our two vendors. BTW... the final versions of these drivers are exclusive to ONIX / av123...

All the best...

mls

 

[gene]

That is just silly. The builder is paying wholesale not retail. Danny used to sell the driver for $24. So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money. That makes it a $6 to $8 dollar or less wholesale driver. And I'm betting they are buying in a lot more volume than Danny did reducing that cost even further. http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/grresearch/drivers2.htm

It's silly to think the average person buying speakers would be able to buy enough units to get price breaks like you mention. The point of the comment was to show how much $$$ are actually in the product as opposed to most speakers that have higher profit margins and lesser components at this price point.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I was thinking the same thing. Great speakers at a decent price from a reliable company. I htought I had finally found my entry level system. But no grills! With a cat, a dog, and a 5-year-old who likes to poke things and throw Hot Wheels around, no way could I take a chance with no grills.

But now that I see grills may be added. I think I'll just wait it out.

Ahh yes, The dreaded "Flying HotWheels"


SBF1

 

[STRONGBADF1]

The Centre is already in the hopper...

The system price for 4 x-ls monitors, one Centre (regularly priced at $129) AND the x-sub will be $699 dollars... Really super system at a nicely down to earth price...

Later we will also have a slot / ported 12" high energy sub in this line (MFW-12) for a three hundred dollars more... So for 1K dollar you'll have a system with considerably more slam and loads of output...

All the best...

mls

Hi MLS,


Send the first articals to AH a.s.a.p. or the members here might drive Clint and Gene crazy waiting for the "system" review!!!

Thanks for the response,
SBF1

 

[j_garcia]

I saw in the manual posted on the AV123 forums lists the center as MTM. Will that be shileded and use the same basic design as the A/V-2; meaning they'll make nice mains as well...? If that's the case, I'm going to hold out until you come out with those and buy a pair to replace my bedroom speakers

 

[silversurfer]

Very nice review. I would like to hear a pair, and the sub.

I noticed a slight descrepancy in the -3dB point. The reviewer measured the extension to be 60hz, and the published specs say 55hz.

Also, I think no grilles would be better for cat owners. Grille material is what cats love. Now kids, that is another story.

 

[j_garcia]

Actually, my cats don't seem to care too much about the speakers with the grilles on, but they are curious about them when I remove them sometimes for listening; I guess just because they are used to the way they look with them on.

The original GR speakers came in either 55 Hz or 60 Hz tune. If the ones reviewed were prototypes, they may have been a different tune than the production versions.

I didn't see specs for the center either (I know, hasn't been discussed yet). Will it be 4 Ohm or 8 Ohm?