Onkyo is probably not a brand that many gamers are familiar with, but if you are in the hi-fi audio scene, there is a good chance you have encountered this name before. In recent years, they have been known for their AV receivers and other very high-end products, but at the end of 2024, Onkyo announced they were going through a rebirth phase, expanding beyond home theater components for the first time in quite a while.
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CES 2025 was an exhilarating time for audio, but the rebirth of Onkyo and its new speakers made it even better. One of the most exciting announcements (at least for gamers) to come out of CES for Onkyo was the Creator Series, a lineup of budget computer speakers.
Where Has Onkyo Been?
While the term rebirth might imply that Onkyo is being reformed out of ashes, that’s not entirely accurate because even though they haven’t been making huge waves in the audio world lately, they have been producing quality products throughout their partial absence. You will most likely see the Onkyo name on AV receivers and Soundbars made by their partner company, Klipsch.
While the products they offer are excellent and uphold the legacy that the brand has developed, they have been missing out on a group of listeners who want more high-end audio solutions that don’t break the bank. So, with the launch of the Creator Series speakers, and Onkyo’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant audio culture while still upholding its reputation for audio quality, this “rebirth” is something to keep an eye on.
Onkyo Creator Series
Key Specs
|
GX-10DB |
GX-30ARC |
|
|
Driver Sizes |
3” Woofer, ¾” Tweeter |
4” Woofer, ¾” Tweeter |
|
Connectivity |
USB-C, Bluetooth5.3, USB-C Audio, RCA/Phono, Optical, Sub Pre-out |
HDMI ARC, USB-C, Bluetooth5.3, RCA/Phone, 3.5mm Aux In, Optical, Sub Pre-Out |
|
Size |
W 119mm x H 173mm x D 149mm |
W 146mm x H 220mm x D 170mm |
Designed with digital content creators, musicians, and gamers in mind, the new Creator Series speakers can easily enhance any gaming audio experience without all the bulk that comes along with traditional hi-fi speakers. The two new speakers in the Creator Series, the GX-10DB and the GX-30ARC, are pretty similar inside and out, with a compact, sleek design and the same impressive Class D amplifier built-in.
Because these are powered speakers, the setup process is relatively easy. The primary speaker of the set handles the power and houses all the connections. Speaking of connections, these speakers are outfitted with pretty much anything you need for desktop, or even non-desktop cases. For PC users, the primary two connections you will be excited about are the USB-C and Bluetooth connection options. However, for versatility, both models also have a built-in phono preamp and RCA input, if you want to use these speakers for a turntable setup as well.
All those inputs are shared across both models, but if you plan to use these speakers for consoles or TVs, this is where the higher price tag for the GX-30ARC comes into play. This model has a 3.5mm aux input and HDMI-ARC connection, allowing for effortless TV connection.
Price and Availability
Both the GX-10DB and the GX-30ARC are now available for pre-order at $199 and $299, respectively. At the time of writing, they are expected to ship in early March. Both models are available in white and black finishes, and they come with angled stands and speaker grille covers, which are removable if you’d rather not use them.
If you are looking for affordable desktop speakers that don’t skimp on audio or build quality, the Onkyo Creator Series seems like a very promising release.