An affordable powered desktop solution below $300 that also supports Bluetooth 5.3 and your turntable? Onkyo’s Creator Series Powered Loudspeakers are clearly being marketed for the home office, college dorm, or bedroom and it’s an interesting way for them to start 2025 with new ownership after the recent acquisition.
Most people don’t have room for an amplifier on the desktop or their night table and there is also the desire to minimise the number of cables required to get the system playing. Powered loudspeakers like the Creator series make it easy.
This means all you have to do is connect a compatible source and plug the speakers into AC power (in some cases they may also have a rechargeable battery option) and you are set to go. To dig a little deeper into this product category, read our reference article: WTF is a Powered Speaker?
For CES 2025, Onkyo is showing its own powered speaker option, the Creator Series, which features two models, the GX10DB and GX30ARC, both of which come as a paired set. Just as with most powered speaker pairs, one speaker provides Bluetooth and physical source connectivity and sends audio signals to the second speaker via an interconnect cable.
Tailored for discerning music lovers, digital content creators, musicians, and gamers, these speakers are designed to deliver optimal sound quality from a compact form factor that is easy to set up and use.
Some practical uses for these speakers include:
- Desktop PC audio system.
- PC or Console Game Audio System
- An alternative to a soundbar to improve TV audio.
- A compact audio system for an office or bedroom.
- Monitors for a home recording studio
The Onkyo Creator Series GX10DB and GX30ARC support clear, powerful, and smooth from rather compact enclosures.
Each Creator model is engineered for the best possible performance, combining technical innovation and functionality.
The Creator Series is equipped with efficient Class D amplification, built-in DSP to manage power and the crossover for each driver, and also includes a subwoofer output for those who may want to flesh out the bottom end of the range.
Pro Tip: For Turntables, both models provide a switchable line/phono input.
The Creative Series v stand/base is designed with a grain texture applied to a premium ABS resin material, as to MDF, which strengthens and overcomes the rattling and moisture weakness unique to other materials.
The new Creator models come with an IR remote control and an attractive angled modern base
Comparison
| Creator GX30ARC | Creator GX10DB | |
| Price (Pair) | $299 | $199 |
| Amplifier Type | Class D | Class D |
| Power Output | 2 x 25 watts (HF8W + LF17W – Bi-Amp configuration) | 2 x 17 watts |
| Woofer | 1 x 4-inches | 1 x 3-inches |
| Tweeter | 1 x ¾–inches | 1 x 1/4-inch |
| Frequency Response | Not Provided | Not Provided |
| Sound Mode | Listening, Flat | Listening, Flat |
| Bluetooth (5.3 LE) | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C Audio | Yes | Yes |
| RCA/Phono Input (Switchable) | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI-ARC | Yes | – |
| 3.5mm Aux Input | Yes | – |
| Subwoofer Pre-Out | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 146 x 220 x 170mm | 119 x 173 x 140mm |
| Finish | Black or White | Black or White |
| Included Accessories | 10 Degree Stands IR Remote Interconnect Cable | 10 Degree Stands IR Remote Interconnect Cable |
The Bottom Line
Powered Bluetooth speakers have become rather common and Onkyo faces no shortage of competition from brands like Audioengine, Kanto, and Fluance below $300. Until we get these in for review, we can’t say how they compare but we do like that they have included a built-in MM phono preamplifier and the angled stand looks like a rather nice extra that will facilitate easier placement on the desktop.
It’s hard to not like the focus on affordability. Very few college students or those looking to add a secondary pair of loudspeakers on the desktop or in another room in the house are going to balk at the asking price. Especially from an established brand like Onkyo.
Onkyo is well-known for its AVRs and also makes other audio components. However, in the beginning, they started with making speakers. In the past few years, they have struggled, but under the Premium Audio Company Umbrella, they have announced a rebrand with a new emphasis on innovation and collaboration.
The first indication of this new direction came with the Klipsch/Onkyo partnership on the Klipsch Flexus soundbar line along with an expanded partnership with Dirac. As a follow-up, Onkyo is showing a new line of products at CES 2025, along with the two new Creator series models.
Price & Availability
- The Creator GX10DB is priced at $199/pair
- The Creator GX30ARC is priced at $299/pair
Both Speakers are expected to be available sometime in Q2 of 2025.
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