Onix x-ls Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review

[gene]

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.

These were not prototypes. They were first production runs. Without knowing the conditions AV123 made their measurement, we cannot comment on the 5Hz difference with ours. Either way, you need a sub with these speakers and I would personally cross them over at 80Hz.

 

[Tex-amp]

Actually, Silversurfer they originally spec.ed these speakers to 40Hz until folks questioned how that was possible. Then it was an "error" and extension rose to 55Hz. This company had a similiar "error" when one of their speakers didn't measure well. They quietly discontinued that speaker shortly there after.

 

[Tex-amp]

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 ...

My quote was, "So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money."

Read comprehension has never been one of your strong points. Maybe someone will explain the difference between "to make any money" and saying a profit of 67% to 75% to you. I think with your businesses you'd understand the concept of overhead.

 

[j_garcia]

Actually, Silversurfer they originally spec.ed these speakers to 40Hz until folks questioned how that was possible. Then it was an "error" and extension rose to 55Hz. This company had a similiar "error" when one of their speakers didn't measure well. They quietly discontinued that speaker shortly there after.

I don't think it was really an intentional error. These guys should have output down to about 40, but that would be likely something like -6dB or lower. The driver is capable of 50Hz tune, but what they actually tuned these speakers to is the question.

My A/V-2s are -3dB a5 55Hz (crossed at 80Hz) and I can run them with no sub and get a surprising amount of bass out of them (they have dual midbasses though). I ran the A/V-1s in my (much smaller) bedroom with no sub and bass was adequate, not to mention my 902s are also -3dB at 55Hz and I run them with no sub as well - for music. For movies, there's no question you'll need a sub with these guys.

 

[craigsub]

My quote was, "So it is safe to assume he was buying them for 25-33% of that or less to make any money."

Read comprehension has never been one of your strong points. Maybe someone will explain the difference between "to make any money" and saying a profit of 67% to 75% to you. I think with your businesses you'd understand the concept of overhead.

It looks like someone needs a timeout and a nap ... Lighten up, Chris. It was humor.

Besides, if you do the math, Let us say the price was $100. "Buying them for 25 to 33%" of that means he was buying them for $25 to $33.

This means Danny would be making $67 to $75 per $100 ...

Do I need to go further ?

 

[j_garcia]

Well, I'm guessing Danny doesn't exactly have quite as much purchasing power as AV123. I know he bought in large enough quantities to get a price break though. Danny has to make money, so his kits obviously need to have some mark up, but even at those prices, they were STILL an amazing value. They've brought the price down due to larger volume and a lower cost mass produced cabinet; it's as simple as that.

 

[ichigo]

Wow this thing measures a lot like the Ascend 170SEs. Looks like they will give them a run for their money, considering the cost differential (You can almost buy two pairs of X-LS for one pair of the SEs).

 

[silversurfer]

Wow this thing measures a lot like the Ascend 170SEs. Looks like they will give them a run for their money, considering the cost differential (You can almost buy two pairs of X-LS for one pair of the SEs).

most definitely, but that is only one measurement. There are a whole slew of measurements that determine how a speaker sounds.

Reading the review and specs, I don't think SVS's SBS-01's stand a chance unless someone needed to mount directly onto a wall.

 

[wilkenboy]

most definitely, but that is only one measurement. There are a whole slew of measurements that determine how a speaker sounds.

Silversurfer, can you enlighten us as to what some of those slew would be?

(Boy, rereading that, it sounds sarcastic. Not intended to be!)

~Josh

 

[silversurfer]

Silversurfer, can you enlighten us as to what some of those slew would be?

(Boy, rereading that, it sounds sarcastic. Not intended to be!)

~Josh

Yeah, just of the top of my head, some would be off-axis measurements, distortion, decay.....

 

[j_garcia]

Well, if they're anything like the A/V-1s, off axis response will be very good.

Reading the review and specs, I don't think SVS's SBS-01's stand a chance unless someone needed to mount directly onto a wall.

They already designed an adapter plate for the speaker for wall mounting, so that is covered as well

 

[silversurfer]

They already designed an adapter plate for the speaker for wall mounting, so that is covered as well

Flush against the wall? They are rear ported, right?

 

[craigsub]

I would not jump ahead to thinking they will be a match for the 170SE's. A few Blind tests between the two seems like a good idea, but I would be surprised if the x-ls matched the 170's in such a test.

 

[silversurfer]

Craig, do you have a pair of the SVS SBS-01 speakers?

 

[craigsub]

SilverS - I don't have any of the speakers(the SVS, Ascends, or x-ls), though I did a review on the X-Sub. It is a great subwoofer - if anyone is interested, I do have a few graphs of it - though these were in room, and need some adjustments in order to compare the results to an outdoor measuring session.

 

[silversurfer]

Thanks Craig. None of the speakers? You are slacking!

I think you had a PB10-ISD at one point. Subjectively, how do you compare the X-Sub with the PB10?

 

[j_garcia]

Flush against the wall? They are rear ported, right?

It wasn't clear if it would cover the port or if it is intended to go on the bottom of the speaker allowing the speaker to be mounted to a bracket. I would think you would want to plug the ports anyway, because most brackets aren't going to get them far enough away from the wall.

I've heard the 170s (not the SEs), the SBS-01s, and owned the GR A/V-1s (not the X-LS), all in different setups granted. I'd pick the GRs A/V-1s. The 170s are very close, giving up mainly bass extension to the A/V-1, and the SBSs would be third, but not quite in the same league in terms of depth.

 

[wilkenboy]

I would not jump ahead to thinking they will be a match for the 170SE's. A few Blind tests between the two seems like a good idea, but I would be surprised if the x-ls matched the 170's in such a test.

This is the matchup I would be most interested in. Their FR plots look pretty darn similar.

I've heard Ascend 170s touted in on-line reviews as "giant killers" - if the Onix x-ls were comparable at roughly 1/2 the price, would that make them the "giant killer killers?"

I'm looking for some funds to be available toward the end of March or early April... its looking like I'll order a pair of each:

Onix x-ls
Ascend CBM-170
Axiom M3ti

And do my own subjective testing. Winner gets a comfy spot in my home. (7 of them actually) - Loser takes an extra trip.

That is, unless the fine folks here can arrange a side-by-side before that.

~Josh

 

[craigsub]

Thanks Craig. None of the speakers? You are slacking!

I think you had a PB10-ISD at one point. Subjectively, how do you compare the X-Sub with the PB10?

Hmmmmm ... You think I am slacking, and my wife think I am obsessing.

The PB-10 Is much more powerful, though I prefer the X-sub from about 35 Hz and up, and the PB10 for Home Theater. These 2 subwoofers definitely are terrific values, and both companies should be proud of them.

 

[craigsub]

This is the matchup I would be most interested in. Their FR plots look pretty darn similar.

I've heard Ascend 170s touted in on-line reviews as "giant killers" - if the Onix x-ls were comparable at roughly 1/2 the price, would that make them the "giant killer killers?"

I'm looking for some funds to be available toward the end of March or early April... its looking like I'll order a pair of each:

Onix x-ls
Ascend CBM-170
Axiom M3ti

And do my own subjective testing. Winner gets a comfy spot in my home. (7 of them actually) - Loser takes an extra trip.

That is, unless the fine folks here can arrange a side-by-side before that.

~Josh

Josh - Sounds like a fun test. Too bad you are 1500 miles from here - I already have the M3's, and am slated to get the x-ls for review in late March. Getting a pair of 170 SE's would be simple enough, and we even have a remote controlled, level matching switcher and a well stocked bar...