Onix x-ls Bookshelf Loudspeaker Review

[silversurfer]

The SVS speakers are not rear ported, so you can mount them right against the wall.

The same goes for Ascend's HTM-200 speaker.

 

[Harmon]

I've always thought you to be a nice / even-handed person... even the ride in your mini van proved that to me

Hey, that ride in the minivan sounds very familiar! I forget the name of the place we went for lunch though.

I liked meeting Chris, too, even if he is a UT fan. Not sure I understand his disdain for all things AV123. I haven't been following the forums lately so maybe I missed something, but personally I think it's pretty silly to make this stuff personal. That should be reserved for college football.

Anyone looking for an excuse to go back to Austin?

 

[mlschifter]

Hey, that ride in the minivan sounds very familiar! I forget the name of the place we went for lunch though.

I liked meeting Chris, too, even if he is a UT fan. Not sure I understand his disdain for all things AV123. I haven't been following the forums lately so maybe I missed something, but personally I think it's pretty silly to make this stuff personal. That should be reserved for college football.

Anyone looking for an excuse to go back to Austin?

The Salt Lick... YUMMY...

Chris was very very kind to all of us... and I liked him a lot personally...

He's cool...

Good Morning

All the best...

mls

 

[Harmon]

Agreed. Chris has never been anything but cool to me. Maybe we can all meet up in Austin again sometime. Would be cool if David F could come and bring some of those new SE Ascends (or he could just send me some for "testing" ). Anxious to hear those and the X-LS's.

 

[silversurfer]

I haven't been following the forums lately so maybe I missed something, but personally I think it's pretty silly to make this stuff personal.

Agreed, but looking back on the thread, it does not look to me, that Tex(Chris?), was the first to act in that manner.

 

[wilkenboy]

Craig is right though, comparing measurements done with different equipment and rooms is not a good comparison. That said, I am a big fan of the Soundstage reviews and the measurements they take at the NRC.

Craig, Silversurfer,

I understand variability between test setups as much as the next engineer, but at some point you have to stop picking method apart, look at results, and make decisions.

I still think comparing the three results together is fair as long as you don't try and draw too specific a set of conclusions - all were on axis, 1 meter. And all the graphs seem to correlate nicely to their rated anechoic sensitivity at 1Watt / 1meter.

All that said, I found the Soundstage / NRC measurements after some googling- thanks Silver! Looks to be a source of great info. I really enjoyed the off-axis results and the THD measurements. Now if they'd just test the 170SEs and the Onix x-ls I'd be set.

Can I interpret these graphs this way - off-axis should give me a good indication of whether the speakers will image well across a wide "sweet spot". And the THD measurements should give me a good indication if the speaker will perform well without distortion at reference levels? (90 dB is loud to my recollection)

For those who are interested:

http://www.soundstageav.com/speakermeasurements.html

In any case, the initial results and reviews of the Onix x-ls and their respective price point have gotten them onto my short list for in-home evaluation.

~Josh

 

[j_garcia]

Great review thanks.

I'm debating between these, the Ascends, and the SVS speakers.

I'm a little bit at a loss as to how I can mount these.

They are rear ported (?) so they have to be 3-4 " away from the wall if crossed over at 80 hz I assume. Is this correct?

Mounting information would be great. I'm loving the price of the 5.1 setup but if I have to spend another $100 to mount them...whats the point?

Most speakers need to be more than 4" away from the wall, regardless of porting and with a rear ported speaker, I'd be looking for at least 8" or better. Another $100? A pair of mounting adapters for them is $20 I don't see if that goes on the bottom or back though. To be honest, wall mounting should be avoided if you can.

 

[Tex-amp]

What's wrong Tex... feeling uneasy... don't --- there is plenty of room for Ascend AND av123... really...

Relax and enjoy... this was a simple mistake and it was quickly corrected... The data speaks for itself...

I've always thought you to be a nice / even-handed person... even the ride in your mini van proved that to me... Be easy on us... It's hard to manage all facets of the business all the time...

And BTW... the 750's were a photo sample... and the guys at Stereophile and I sorted that out real quick (yes... I read your reply elsewhere about this... )...

So... Peace my friend... I'm CERTAIN David would not approve of, nor enjoy your sniping...

All the best...

mls

Driving you around and listening to you talk taught me a great deal. Thank you.

I'm not nervous. It is a matter of differing opinions.

As you know, I do not buy the photo sample story. No clarification has
ever been stated or published by Stereophile.

Obviously, my voicing my thoughts bothers you enough to invoke David's
name. He has nothing to do with this. If Ascend displayed the same behavior,
it would be met with the same displeasure. As you know, Ascend takes a very different route to selling their products.

So, my words are that close to home for you?

 

[craigsub]

Josh - Your final statement about in-home auditions is spot on. Any/All of the thee speakers mentioned - The 170 SE's, x-ls, or M3's - deserve a serious in home audition. The graphs are good enough, even from the different sources, to warrant that.

 

[mlschifter]

Agreed. Chris has never been anything but cool to me. Maybe we can all meet up in Austin again sometime. Would be cool if David F could come and bring some of those new SE Ascends (or he could just send me some for "testing" ). Anxious to hear those and the X-LS's.

I'm 10,000% up for that... name the day and I'm THERE...




All the best...

mls

 

[mlschifter]

Driving you around and listening to you talk taught me a great deal. Thank you.

I'm not nervous. It is a matter of differing opinions.

As you know, I do not buy the photo sample story. No clarification has
ever been stated or published by Stereophile.

Obviously, my voicing my thoughts bothers you enough to invoke David's
name. He has nothing to do with this. If Ascend displayed the same behavior,
it would be met with the same displeasure. As you know, Ascend takes a very different route to selling their products.

So, my words are that close to home for you?

Hardly...

I just know (and smell) sour grapes when I read them... (here and in other places)...

You can single us out all you want Chris... My house is solid... my windows glass and I sleep well at night...

Maybe you are caught up in it... but I'm not... I have plenty to keep me busy... and I know you do also...

Buy want you want... but Tom Norton and I talked this over, as did John Atkinson and myself... I can send you the e-mails... but you'd have another take on them later... Funny how Bascom Kings measurements (see SoundStage... that's the job he does for them on amps, etc.) were completely different and CORRECT... Memory is a funny thing... we chose to be selective when it suits us... and in your case... it clearly suits you to forget that little addendum...

Wishing for all great things for you Chris... you know me... and I CERTAINLY know you...

Mark

 

[silversurfer]

Yup, a shame, I certainly see how things got to a personal level.

 

[MUCHO]

Most speakers need to be more than 4" away from the wall, regardless of porting and with a rear ported speaker, I'd be looking for at least 8" or better. Another $100? A pair of mounting adapters for them is $20 I don't see if that goes on the bottom or back though. To be honest, wall mounting should be avoided if you can.

Yea I know I should not wall mount. The WAF is where wall mounting comes from. (Hey at least she is cool with the SVS 20-39 right?)

Anyways - the mounting adapters are a very reasonable $20 per pair. For my setup I would need to buy 3 pairs. Then I would need to buy some actual wall mounts. The one reccomended by AV123 are $50 each.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=furniture&product=15.1

Thats why I'm asking here - if anyone has any ideas on how I can better mount these for less. If not - they're off the shopping list which is a shame because I love the way they look, the specs are great, and the two reviews I've read are very positive.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I can't believe a $200 bookshelf is generating this long of a thread. Maybe you(Audioholics) should ask av123 for a pair of Rocket RS250's next.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't know if you noticed or not, but there is a HUGE market for a good pair of $200 speakers. I think a lot of these manufacturers are starting to figure this fact out. There are a LOT more people interested in low cost HT than there are demanding audiophiles. These people are the average public who wouldn't know good sound if they heard it; all they care about is that they can hear sound. Addressing that market with a solid speaker that will also appeal to those who can appreciate the quality is definitely a good plan IMHO.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I don't know if you noticed or not, but there is a HUGE market for a good pair of $200 speakers.

I know, I've got $200 Paradigm and PSB speakers and it is a fairly large market (not a drop in the 'full 5.1 for $200' bucket however). I'm just shocked how long the thread is for this site.

 

[mlschifter]

I don't know if you noticed or not, but there is a HUGE market for a good pair of $200 speakers. I think a lot of these manufacturers are starting to figure this fact out. There are a LOT more people interested in low cost HT than there are demanding audiophiles. These people are the average public who wouldn't know good sound if they heard it; all they care about is that they can hear sound. Addressing that market with a solid speaker that will also appeal to those who can appreciate the quality is definitely a good plan IMHO.

You are Right On Sir...

I've known it... but several issues had to be settled before we could bring this guy out...

Thanks again...

All the best...

mls

 

[j_garcia]

I know, I've got $200 Paradigm and PSB speakers and it is a fairly large market (not a drop in the 'full 5.1 for $200' bucket however). I'm just shocked how long the thread is for this site.

I agree, it is pretty long for this forum.

I've known it...

Not suggesting that any particular manufacturer isn't aware of this market, just that it seems that the competition in this range seems to be picking up. I'm happy about that, because it only means good things for consumers like us

 

[mlschifter]

I agree, it is pretty long for this forum.



Not suggesting that any particular manufacturer isn't aware of this market, just that it seems that the competition in this range seems to be picking up. I'm happy about that, because it only means good things for consumers like us

You bet... in the end we all win when good companies work hard at the Introductory Price Points...

The x-ls monitor is lovely for sure... and we're not done yet...

Our new x-empower all digital integrated will be coming soon, and THAT ONE will really be an eye opener...

All the best...

mls

 

[j_garcia]

I saw all of those other "X" units that you have coming out over on the AV123 forum. Nice looking stuff