Onix Reference 1s or Polk Lsi9s?

[pennylane]

It seems I've narrowed my bookshelf search to those 2. Has anybody had a chacne to listen to both and compare the 2? They're about the same price range. I'm not sure which one I should get.

 

[Jon L]

Unless you plan on using top-notch equipment (i.e. no mass-market receiver, CDP), do not get the Onix. I would pick the Onix in a heartbeat, but my system/cables can handle the Ref 1's, which are on a totally different playing field from Polk, which is a nice speaker.

 

[mojoman]

Have you considered the Audio Concepts Sapphire XL ? Same price as the Ref. 1 and it's gotten some excellent reviews.

Six Moons Review

Audiogon Review

There a side by side comparison of the Ref. 1 and the XL in the ACI forum at AudioCircles too.

 

[Sleestack]

I use Ref. 3 and love them. I just ordered Ref 1s to use with my EAR V20. You are aware of AV123s SP3/Ref1 package going on right now? Incredible deal.

 

[ooheadsoo]

If you can sell the amp from the package (or you need the free $1300 amp) then that package is a good deal. You can diy a similar speaker to the ref1 for less than $600 but that is neither here nor there. The sapphire is a better speaker from the looks of the parts (and the direct comparison I've read) but it's not on a crazy sale that is close to cost.

 

[pennylane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon L Unless you plan on using top-notch equipment (i.e. no mass-market receiver, CDP), do not get the Onix. I would pick the Onix in a heartbeat, but my system/cables can handle the Ref 1's, which are on a totally different playing field from Polk, which is a nice speaker.

Exactly how top notch is top notch? I plan on getting one of those digital receiver things (either a Panasonic or a JVC, forget the model numbers, about $200-300). I'll have a mass-market CDP for now (key word for now), but I plan on getting a DAC (In the neighborhood of $250-300).

 

[ooheadsoo]

IMO, there's no need to wait on upgrading the source and um cables, before upgrading your speakers. It will all come in time, and the speakers will cause the greatest overall change in sonics. Some people say they would rather have cheapo speakers and a big expensive front end rather than the other way around, but I don't agree with that sentiment at all. You may want to get a nice -everything- but the speakers are hardly necessarily the last component to upgrade.

 

[pennylane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleestack I use Ref. 3 and love them. I just ordered Ref 1s to use with my EAR V20. You are aware of AV123s SP3/Ref1 package going on right now? Incredible deal.

Actually I didn't know about the deal. How incredible is it? I was thinking of getting the Ref1 used with the digital receiver mentioned above... which probably would have been about $900 or so... I'm in need of a receiver... so is that SP3 thing really good? Which option should I take?

How is that source (it's an XCD-88, which I've neve heard of)? If I got the combo, should I just get that too?

This deal is very intriguing but I don't know very much... please tell me what you think I should do...

 

[Sleestack]

$1199 for the Ref. 1s and the SP3. $1499 for the Ref. 1s, SP3 and XCD-88. That's a great deal considering the price of those items individually. I love tube amps so if I were looking a for a great, small 2 channel system, it would be a no-brainer for me. Unfortunately I already have too many pieces in my house and on the way.


I had the XCD-88. I sold it b/c I have a Meridan G08 and Onix CD-1, but the XCD-88 is a great value (and very solid CD player), as are most, if not all, of the products sold on by AV123. I should be getting my Ref. 1s after the weekend. I can give you an informed opinion after I get them.

Here's a nice review:

Review

 

[ooheadsoo]

yes, the retail on the onix deal is over $1300 per piece - this is $1100 for both pieces. It is a very good deal that is near retail cost of parts. In the commercial world, it is an unbelievably good deal. As to how good they are, I can't vouch for it, but at least they used standard well known good parts in it.

Remember, if you buy the ref1 by itself, it's $1500. If you buy it with the amp, the combined price is $1100, meaning you could sell one of the two off and get new gear for less than the used price. Or keep both.

 

[pennylane]

Wow. That is incredibly tempting. How long is that deal good for?

I think I'd rather get a CD player that supports SACD though. I suppose I can get that one separately (I'll also be adding a DAC later). Besides, my budget for the summer was about $1000 +/- $200... I think this will get me on the right foot.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennylane Exactly how top notch is top notch? I plan on getting one of those digital receiver things (either a Panasonic or a JVC, forget the model numbers, about $200-300). I'll have a mass-market CDP for now (key word for now), but I plan on getting a DAC (In the neighborhood of $250-300).

Part of the reason AV123 can do it so cheap is b/c the Ref1 included in the deal is rosewood finish, which is very nice, but the Birdseyemaple finish (at regular price) is simply drop-dead-heart-stopping gorgeous in person. If the Ref1 included in package was birdseyemaple, I would have bought the combo no matter how many speakers/amps I had already.

As far as partnering equipment, let's just say the more top-notch the equipment gets, the more top-notch Ref1 will sound. One may not be able to tell Ref1's superiority over other speakers with low-moderate budget ancillary, but as you upgrade other components, you will realize Ref1 is NOT the limiting factor in your system, even if you are using SOTA $10-20K equipment. Same cannot be said for most other speakers in this broad price range.

Ref1 will sound all right with these cheap digital amps, but realize that there will be no authoritative bass and highs will be a little harsh. One can still enjoy Ref1's by doing a little digital EQ, but it's when you move to high-resolution SS/tube amps and high-resolution source, Ref1 will completely blow away the competition in the price range.

 

[pennylane]

Okay I'm going to buy the Onix Ref 1's with the SP3 amp by the end of the day. If you want to stop me, do it soon.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Having some to do with the importing of fine crafted wood workings (violins etc,) I can tell you with absolute certainty that the birds eye maple is not what makes the ref1 expensive. In fact, a healthy business model and a healthy profit margin are what make the ref1 expensive. Quite a healthy profit margin...

Rest assured, AV123 is still making money off of the ref1/onix3 deal.

The JVC rx-es1sl will not give you harsh highs, and neither does my sharp ex-111 (after a bazillion hours of burn in,) but both are discontinued and that's a different story. Bass is not the best in the two amps I mentioned, though enough for me. The TI tech in the pannies may be better for bass performance, from my experience with a cheapo variant. No doubt there are better amps for more money, however.

 

[Joey_V]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pennylane Okay I'm going to buy the Onix Ref 1's with the SP3 amp by the end of the day. If you want to stop me, do it soon.

DO NOT order yet! I should get the comparo going this week or BUST!

Just wait a little bit longer until I get the Ref1 vs LSI9 demo going. He should be back soon.

Either way should be good though so if you already ordered the REF1s, good for you.

Anyway, do not discount the LSI9 - they are bar none the best bookshelves I have heard short of the Sonus Faber Concertos (w/c retail over 2k$).