Speakers better than Onix x-ls in same price range

[Nasir]

Hi there, I'm completely new to speakers, so I'd really appreciate any help you guys could give. I'm looking to buy a pair of bookshelf speakers at the $200 price range. So far, from reading around, the Onix x-ls has been the most recommended and looks like the best bet. I wanted to know if there was a pair of speakers at around the same price that was definitely "better" than it. I have read a few things on the Athena AS-B2.2, but couldn't find any comparisons between it and the x-ls.

Also, are stands necessary for bookshelf speakers, or could the speakers just be placed on a table or something?

Lastly, would the Sonic Impact T-amp be able to run the speakers moderately well?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[j_garcia]

The Athena Auditions aren't as good IMO. The mids are good, but the tweeter isn't quite the best - good, not great. The mids on the X-LS will be better still I'm sure. The speakers I own are very similar to the X series.

No, the T-amp will not be enough. The speakers can be placed anywhere reasonably functional. The odd thing is, a bookshelf is usually the worst place to put them...

 

[no. 5]

Mordaunt-Short Avant 902's can be found online for $200.

 

[Nasir]

Why isn't the T-amp enough? I read a review on 6moons for it and it was powering some much more expensive speakers. Does it have something to do with the Onix's efficiency or something? EDIT: Okay, I have found the answer to this question.

Would I be better off with a speaker amplifier or receiver for these? I don't plan to buy a subwoofer anytime soon or go into surround sound. A receiver might be nice, however, as it could also amplify my headphones. Which would do better for sound quality, a ~$150 amplifier or receiver?

 

[Pianoman84d]

re: the Mordaunt Short's. Ask JGarcia whether he thinks they will be better because he owns them and also owns speakers very similar to the Onix X-LS.

For an amp/receiver about $150 to $200, i'd look and see if Amazon still has the Panasonic XR-55 for around $170. This little unit sounds amazing for the price (I can't think of anything better at this price range, but I don't know everything )

 

[speakerman39]

Hi there, I'm completely new to speakers, so I'd really appreciate any help you guys could give. I'm looking to buy a pair of bookshelf speakers at the $200 price range. So far, from reading around, the Onix x-ls has been the most recommended and looks like the best bet. I wanted to know if there was a pair of speakers at around the same price that was definitely "better" than it. I have read a few things on the Athena AS-B2.2, but couldn't find any comparisons between it and the x-ls.

Also, are stands necessary for bookshelf speakers, or could the speakers just be placed on a table or something?

Lastly, would the Sonic Impact T-amp be able to run the speakers moderately well?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

As a current Infinity Primus owner I have to recommend you take a look at the Primus 160's or the 150's and the matching C25 center speaker. I have found the Primus speakers to offer a huge bang for the buck. The all new Primus speakers are out as well BUT look to me cosmetically different-other than that very little difference. I am also very fond of the Paradigm Atom v.3 or v.4's. You may want to see if your local Paradigm dealer has any left because most dealers nation-wide are clearing them out at very good prices. Keep in mind that I have never heard the Onix ls series just throwing a few other speakers you may want to give a listen to. It is always better to go w/the speakers you like and that fits into your budget. After all, who knows better than you what you like and what you prefer.....right?

 

[silversurfer]

I know this caused an issue here in the past, but the review of the X-LS over at goodsound.com implies that the X-LS and Atom are at least comparable.

Also, I read over at AV123 that the tweeter in the X-LS is going to change. This isn't the out of spec change that was mentioned a while back, but an actual new tweeter.

 

[Nasir]

Also, I read over at AV123 that the tweeter in the X-LS is going to change. This isn't the out of spec change that was mentioned a while back, but an actual new tweeter.

What would a change in the tweeter cause?

 

[silversurfer]

What would a change in the tweeter cause?

I have no idea until someone hears it, and even then it is better to listen to it yourself.

 

[billnchristy]

The only change to the X-LS tweeter will be a newer model that is a little "hotter" seems the original batch was .7 or so dB lower than originally spec'd

The new spec. tweeter will be in a higher priced X-series.

I used to own a primus center and it was very good but could not touch the X-CS, I didnt own primus bookshelves but if you can find them I bet they would not disappoint based on my C25 experience.

Other than used, other ID and B-stock I think you would be hard pressed to find a match at the same price or less.

I bought my first pair B-stock and was blown away.

 

[Nasir]

I'm pretty set on the x-ls right now. j_garcia's PM inbox is full currently, so I sent him an email through his Yahoo ID. Hopefully, I can get an opinion on the two speakers from him.

Now it's just the amplification to worry about.

 

[Pianoman84d]

Hi Nasir,
JGarcia is a regular so I'm sure he'll be around to answer the comparo shortly. Its the holidays and all.

 

[billnchristy]

Oh someone else has done the HTD speakers, but apparently the ribbon is an acquired taste...certainly worth a look though.

If you havent posed a question over at av123 go for it, I am sure you will get mostly X-LS as a response but you can find out what they used previous.

 

[Nasir]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I'm pretty sure I'm now down to the x-ls and the Mordaunt Short Avant 902, any opinions for either would be appreciated.

 

[Stephan]

I have the X-LS's and they are definetly a great speaker, you will be happy. HoweverI just got a pair of Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE's and I think they are a significantly better speaker. More efficient and detailed with a wider soundstage, more accurate treble. This is just my preference though.

 

[Nasir]

The Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE cost too much for me at this point, although I hope you enjoy them!

 

[Stephan]

Yes I know how you feel. Luckily I got mine b-stock for $100 off. Comparing the X-LS's to the 170's physically, the X-LS's actually have a way better cabinet, more bracing , possible thicker MDF, and much better looking, but the 170's driver and tweeter are more high end than the X-LS. A/B-ing the speakers, they both sound great, the Onixs take significantly more power to drive, its almost hard to say which one is better, I just prefer the sound of the 170's. Both rock though.

 

[masak_aer]

I have the Mordaunt Short and i think it's geared more towards music listening. It is not bright and quite warm, IMO. I love it. My next purchase will be the X-LS. Both of them should be very musical. I think you can go either way and not regret it.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker build quality

I have a pair of the Athena AS-B1's and they are a descent entry level speaker for about $100/pair but the build quality and components do no compare to that of the Onix X-LS speakers.

There are losts of $200 speakers that will sound worse than the Onix X-LS, but you can probably find a couple options that are comparable. For $175 on the B-stock and classified pages, you can't go wrong with the X-LS.

 

[Stephan]

I have to take back what I said about the Ascend 170's being significantly better than the x-ls's. Switching between the 2 pairs, I really enjoy listening to them almost equally. I think both have their strong points, the x-ls's
are buttery smooth with more low end and punchier low-mids, the Ascends are more detailed and have slightly sweeter highs. I don't think I could choose between the two outright. So I guess dollar for dollar the x-ls's would be the better deal.