Older Optimus LX5 clener than new RCA LX5II.

LX5II is muddier.

*** LX5 vs. LX5II *** I have a pair of both. I A/B'd a single speaker for comparison. Decided on the older LX5 for FL/FR speakers (naturally with a powered sub) and the LX5II for rear surrounds. The LX5II are a little more bass-y due to the ported cabinet, but also more muddied. The older speaker has a definite wider image, and was cleaner and crisper. Next, I was curious about speaker wire. I hooked up the FR out to the LX5, alternating plain old 12 and 16 gauge wire (albeit at different lengths, so not perfectly scientific) with the speaker directly in front of me in a corner, like their typical setting. Guess what, I could clearly hear a difference BUT liked the cleaner sound of the 16 gauge wire! Go figure. (Used a Denon AVR 1600 60 watt per channel receiver.)

Similar Products Used:

None.

Price, good tweeter, nice sound.

Port noise. Very inefficient.

I was looking for some speakers and at first I looked at Bose 201's but they hurt my ears with their harsh tweeter. Then I heard these were quite good. I went to Radio Shack to listen. They had a pair of the Optimus ones on sale because they had brought out the new ones that say RCA on them. They were only 60 bucks each so I thought I would listen to them. It took them a wile to figure out how to set them up but after 10 minutes they were on. The reciever didn't have an antenna on it so all I could do was listen to the tv. I found some music on mtv and listened for a wile. They sound good for HT. When I got home I hooked them up to my 100 wpc Pioneer reciever. Not much sound below 50 watts. Next, with Sublime or other bass heavy music, the port makes an awful noise. I decided this is unacceptable and took them back. Now I have 2 Radio shack replacement speakers in a home made box. Model 40-1354. The sound is wonderful, they are quite efficient, hit hard down to 48hz and don't have awful port noise.