When it comes to computers, there’s a lot of content
creators. And it’s not just about graphics or video. The audio portion should
be taken into consideration. For that reason, Onkyo came out with their Creator
Series of speakers. Up for review is their Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Monitors.
MSRP is $349.
Features and specs:
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION: Powered
Monitor (pair)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
55Hz-20kHz
MAX OUTPUT: 115 dB
(1M Stereo Pair)
TOTAL SYSTEM POWER: 50W
Total System Power 17W LF+8W HF/ch
HIGH FREQUENCY DRIVER:
3/4 inch (19mm)
LOW FREQUENCY DRIVER:
4 inch (101.6mm) cone woofer
ENCLOSURE MATERIAL: MDF
with PVC
ENCLOSURE TYPE: Bass-reflex
via rear-Slit duct
BLUETOOTH®
VERSION: Bluetooth 5.3
A2DP Codecs: SBC
SPECIFICATIONS
INPUTS: HDMI-ARC with CEC, Bluetooth® 5.3 wireless
technology, Phono/Line analog (with switch and ground screw terminal), 3.5mm
analog mini jack, USB Type C, Optical
OUTPUTS: Single RCA line level output for connection to
subwoofer
PRODUCT DIMENTIONS: 5.75"
(146mm) x 8.66" (220mm) x 6.69" (170mm) (W X H X D )
PRODUCT DIMENTIONS W/STAND (W X H X D): 5.75“ (146mm) x 10.55” (268mm) x 8.27”
(210mm)
WEIGHT: Primary:
6.0lbs (2.7kg) - Secondary: 5.3lbs (2.4kg)
BOX DIMENTIONS (W X H X D):
16.7" (423mm) x 14.2" (360mm) x 11.2" (285mm)
GROSS WEIGHT: 17.6lbs
(8kg)
FINISH: Black / White
VOLTAGE: 100V-240V
50/60Hz AC Adapter
The Onkyo GX-30ARC came in a standard white box. Opening the
box revealed a well-protected speaker held in place by custom molded Styrofoam.
Materials used in the construction was MDF, PVC, and steel. The speakers appear
to be made using a paper cone with rubber surround for the woofer, and the
tweeters appear to use silk for the dome. Quality of materials used, as well as
fit and finish, is very good. Also included were the speaker stands, remote, AC
adaptor, speaker cable, HDMI, and USB-C cables.
I love the design on the Onkyo GX-30 ARC powered monitor.
Whether gaming, websites, or other content creating with a computer, it’s part
of their content creator Series. It works great connected to a computer, but it
can also do so much more. With imputes that consist of RCA with phono, 3.5 mm,
optical, HCMI, USB-C and Bluetooth, it can be used with just about anything.
You could connect a record player directly to it, as well as to a TV like a
soundbar. You can even set them up by themselves in a living room or den and
use your smartphone with Bluetooth to listen to your music. So many
possibilities.
They are also designed for great sound, tapping into Onkyo’s
decades long heritage. They employ a ¾ inch silk dome tweeter for smooth highs.
And while they also use a smaller 4 inch woofer to keep the enclosure size
down, they still have it ported to improve bass performance. Onkyo even has
them bi-amped, for the best sound possible. This means there is a separate amp
for the tweeter and woofer, which would also control the frequencies they play.
I also love the synergy that seems to have been realized due
to the sum of the parts done right. It stars with the quality drivers, great
electronics, efficient design, down to the multitude of connects for ease of
use. And lastly an efficient and well-made enclosure. It’s a well-made product
that should provide years of use. Now let’s see how it sounds.
Guns & Roses: Patience – The whistling was silky smooth
with excellent harmonics and a tone of air.
The strings from the acoustic guitar was really crisp and clean with
really good resolution to show off not just the good dynamics of the strings as
they were plucked, but also hear the decay. Vocals were smooth like honey with
good texture of the timbre.
Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E
- hi-hat was really crisp and clean, piano sounded really natural,
violin was silky smooth with great resolution of the bow across the
strings. Th bass was equally smooth with
not just good low-end extension, but also played with authority. Trumpet was extremely dynamic with excellent
harmonics without being too brassy.
Snare drum was also dynamic. But
just as impressive was not just the soundstage that was really big, not just
deep but also forward. The imaging on a
dime was equally impressive.
Jessie J, Ariana Grande, & Nickie Minaj: Bang Bang – The
various drums and claps were nice and dynamic with great pitch definition. And while it was the stellar harmonics and
timbre of the multiple parts of the female vocals that seamlessly came together
to steal the show, I am also impressed with the bass performance. It had good low-end extension and played with
more authority for its size than I expected.
The Onkyo GX-30ARC performed as well as I expected. They had a neutral sound signature as
expected from a monitor. The highs were
crisp and clean, with silky smooth mids, and bass that performed well for its
size. What I was not expecting was the
level of soundstage and imagine that I heard at its price point. It’s not perfect, but at only $349, it’s a grand
slam for bang for the buck.
Onkyo has a reputation for making great products. And it’s
products like the Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Monitor, that bring a smile to my
face, to see that Onkyo is not just sitting on their Laurels. They want to
protect their reputation. And the Onkyo GX-30ARC proved to be not just a great sounding speaker, they are made to be
used in many different set ups. They’re even well made to be able to perform
for years. Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Onkyo
GX-30ARC has earned our Editor’s Choice Award. If you are looking for great
sounding a small package, the Onkyo GX-30ARC Powered Monitor should be on your short list. For
more info and complete specs, check out their website at www.onkyo.com.
