Replace/Upgrade Main Speakers (Onix/AV123)

[goobernoodles]

I'm currently running speakers I've owned for a while. Onix or AV123.com made the speakers. I'm looking for some opinions on some replacements.

I have X-MTM as my L/R speakers paired with a X-CS center. These aren't the encore versions. I was using two X-LS bookshelf speakers as surrounds previously, but I don't have enough room in my current house. The living room is tiny. I crammed a HSU VTF-15H in there, so there's no shortage of bass.

Here's a review on the mains: http://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/av123-x-mtm-tower-speaker-review

On my computer I have some Energy RC-10's which have a better high end and detail, in my opinion. I'd love to find something that matches or exceeds the RC-10's sound quality in a tower (or bookshelf + stand, I suppose) paired with a center. Ideally I could get some rears that would match at some point when I move into a house with a larger living room.

No set budget. Trying to see what it would cost to have a significant upgrade.

 

[Anubis]

ascend sierra tower
monitor audio RX-8s - personally I thought these sounded better vs the ascends
Salk Sound towers
ARX - A5s

 

[goobernoodles]

ascend sierra tower
monitor audio RX-8s - personally I thought these sounded better vs the ascends
Salk Sound towers
ARX - A5s

Are you referring to these? http://www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-loudspeakers/A5rx-c

Looks interesting.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2.html I was reading into these as well, but they're nearly twice the price.

I should add that I'm driving these speakers with a Denon AVR3312CI (125WPC).

 

[Anubis]

yea i forgot they changed the name of the ARX speakers when TAI and Chase started their deal

 

[s44]

yea i forgot they changed the name of the ARX speakers when TAI and Chase started their deal

I haven't been following AVS dramas... Does this mean you can get this stuff with no stock/fulfilment issues?

 

[queequeg99]

You might also want to check out Aperion Audio. I have two Verus Forte mains matched with a VTF-15H in a 25x18 home theater and they really rock. It sounds like the Fortes are near the top of your price point (if not above). But they are awesome. If I had a smaller room, I could easily have dropped down to the Intimus line, which price-wise is more reasonable. They won't fill as large a room as the Fortes when it comes to bass, but you've easily got that covered with the Hsu.

Aperion offers free shipping both ways so you can try them out at no-risk. I live in the Portland area and was able to go to their showroom and listen to everything they have at my leisure. All of their regular speakers sound wonderful. It just depends on how much room you need to fill.

BTW, I have a pair of RC-10s that I really love (but not as much as my Aperions).

 

[Anubis]

I haven't been following AVS dramas... Does this mean you can get this stuff with no stock/fulfilment issues?

I think so, I have not been keeping up with the ARX stuff after the merger but I have not heard of any large issues. I looked the other day and the speakers are out of stock, I think they do them in batches which is how Jon did them at TIA when he started the ARX line

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-sp...owner-s-thread-a1-a1b-a2-a2b-a3-a5-etc-6.html

 

[SithSolo1]

If you are looking at the Sierra-2s but find them a bit expensive you may want to look at the Sierra-1s with the NrT upgrade for $300 less a pair or the "Plain Jane" original Sierra-1s for $600 less overall. They also make a Sierra-1 center with and without the NrT upgrade. All fine speakers, I'm sure you'd be pleased with any of the pairs.

 

[goobernoodles]

Someone over on avsforum suggested Energy RC-70's from Fry's for 300 a pop. That price worries me. Anyone know if the quality has dropped or how they compare to RC-10's?

 

[SithSolo1]

If you can get RC-70s for $300 ea thats a no brainer. I didn't know they were still making them.


Edit: It would appear from the various deal postings that these are old stock and that the speakers have been discontinued for a while. Also the price is in-store only and no shipping is available.

 

[goobernoodles]

If you can get RC-70s for $300 ea thats a no brainer. I didn't know they were still making them.


Edit: It would appear from the various deal postings that these are old stock and that the speakers have been discontinued for a while. Also the price is in-store only and no shipping is available.

I live in Seattle. The Fry's in Renton is about a 15 minute trip.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Yeah, I too havn't really followed the drama/fallout from AV123, although I do own quite a setup from them, which I have been extremely happy with over the years (RS1000's up front, RSC200 center, RS750's sides and rears, with 2 of their 10" sealed subs (can't remember name off hand anymore) for the 7.1 setup). I also have their computer controlled EQ (not that I can control it anymore since they software I think only works under XP, but the newer pre-processor I own could probably do its job and let me remove it), and the Emotiva MPS-1 which was originally sold through AV123 (and that amp is still a beast).

 

[goobernoodles]

I ended up grabbing the Energy RC-70's. Love them so far. Very detailed and get a lot louder than the Onix speakers without distortion. I'll grab a RC-LCR soon. I had no idea they used to make a surround speaker... looks like they're incredibly rare though. Those would have been perfect.