Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Onix Reference 1 Mk ii Speakers by jonbee

Model:	Reference 1 Mk ii
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1500
Description:	2 way stand mount
Manufacturer URL:	Onix
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on May 26, 2005 at 14:22:29
IP Address: 65.219.140.66

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for the Reference 1 Mk ii

I've had these for a couple of months now, and continue to believe they are nearly state of the art performers at a fraction of the price of the real competitors.
They use the wonderful VIFA ring radiator tweeter, and a French Atohm woofer (a French ScanSpeak competitor) and are designed I'm told by the French designer of the Triangle speakers, but using these very high quality European drivers instead of the in-house Triangle units. The cabinets and assembly are Chinese, and they are direct marketed. The cost savings is substantial.
First, the cabinets and finishing are as good as it gets; the $3k Focus 588 are the cheapest speaker I know that matches them cosmetically. Mine are birds-eye maple and they are simply gorgeous.
Sound wise, the range from the low 40s to over 20khz is fully rendered, with awesome dynamic power and a uniform, fully developed soundstage. There are a few speakers I've heard, such as the Merlin TSM-M (which I've had in this system), with a bit better soundstage depth, but you have to listen hard to find anything that's not just right. The bass capabilities are truly amazing for this 14" high speaker with a 5.5 in. woofer- deep, tight, and defined. In my bedroom they truly sound full range, even on movies!
Macro and micro dynamics are spot on and realistic, and the top end is a silkily clean, detailed and extended as I've ever heard from a conventional system.
I've had Merlins, Buggtussels, Paradigm Active 20s, Revel M20s, MA GR10s, and many others in thei system, and in my mind only the Merlins are preferable. The fact that these supply that level of performance at less than half the price is pretty amazing to me. As in all things audio, nothing can be all things to all people, but these merit serious consideration in their class.

Product Weakness: Not quite the soundstage depth or openness of Merlin TSM-M or a few other SOA standmounts, might not be kind to poor front end performance (not a flaw, IMO).
Product Strengths: Great disappearing act; dynamic; deep bass for a small speaker; silky,detailed highs; fabulous cabinet and finish, price!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Panasonic XR50
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Panny DV47/Monarchy DIP upsampler
Speakers:	review
Cables/Interconnects:	Mapleshade Golden Helix;AQ digital pro (silver)
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 12 x 8
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom 515
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not quite the soundstage depth or openness of Merlin TSM-M or a few other SOA standmounts, might not be kind to poor front end performance (not a flaw, IMO).
Product Strengths:	Great disappearing act; dynamic; deep bass for a small speaker; silky,detailed highs; fabulous cabinet and finish, price!