GX-30ARC and GX-10DB: Onkyo renews its image with compact and affordable active speakers

During an exclusive event bringing together the Klipsch and Onkyo brands at CES 2025, we had the opportunity to discover the new Onkyo GX-10DB and Onkyo GX-30ARC connected hi-fi speakers.

Onkyo's first attempt at the thriving wireless hi-fi market, they come as part of a new era for the Japanese brand. Indeed, under the leadership of its new buyers Premium Audio Company and Voxx International Corporation, Onkyo recently announced that it is modernizing its offering, which for several years has been limited to amplifiers that are struggling to renew themselves.

Among the decisions taken, we note the appearance of a brand new logo, the integration of Onkyo amplification technologies into Klispch soundbars and the launch of the Onkyo Icon range of premium amplifiers. Also the result of this new image, the Onkyo GX-10DB and GX-30ARC speakers claim to offer the best possible sound quality at an affordable price.

Compact, well-designed and inexpensive active speakers

Characterized by a compact design, the Onkyo GX-10DB and GX-30ARC speakers are designed to be installed on either side of a gaming PC as well as for listening to music in association with different audio sources. They would draw their performance from custom-designed Class D amplification to power their speakers. Furthermore, an exclusive integrated DSP would help to offer rich and detailed reproduction of the different frequency ranges.

The most compact model in the range, the Onkyo Creator GX-10DB adopts a 1.3 cm tweeter and a 7.5 cm woofer that are particularly small compared to most references on the market. The whole being powered by an amplification developing 34 watts, they will be preferred for adding sound to a small room. The broadcasting possibilities are nevertheless legion, with an optical input, a USB-C audio port and an RCA/phono input for connecting a CD player or vinyl turntable. A sub output is also included to reinforce the experience using a subwoofer.

Even if they remain very easy to integrate into all spaces, the GX-30ARC are a little more imposing. They also differ by the integration of a 100 mm woofer and a total power of 50 watts giving them better support in the low end of the spectrum. In addition, the GX-30ARC improves the connectivity of their little GX-10DB sisters by adding an HDMI ARC port and a 3.5 mm mini-jack input.

Spartan connectivity and anti-vibration MDF feet

The two models share a “flat sound” sound mode and a Bluetooth 5.3 receiver. We therefore notice the absence of a Wi-Fi module and a dedicated application which would have made it possible to stream via AirPlay 2 or access an equalizer. Finally, note that these Onkyo speakers are delivered with small MDF feet. In addition to directing the tweeters towards the listener when placed on a desk, they reduce vibrations by decoupling the speakers from the support on which they are placed.

The price of these two pairs of speakers seems simply excellent compared to those generally charged by the competition. Indeed, the GX-10DB and GX-30ARC will be available at prices of $199 and $299 from the second quarter of 2025 in black and white finishes.