Linaeum tweeter,low price

Bass, of course

Been waiting for Radio Shack's 50% off sale and finally bought a pair of these for $50 each. In my opinion, these are outstanding speakers, especially for a small area where large speakers would be just too much. They're smooth, crisp, clean and very musical sounding. Great even without a subwoofer. And for those who mentioned it, yes, the high end of the LX5IIs seems almost nonexistent compared to the 88s and they are not as focused and coherent. I guess they are designed that way. If the 88s are being discontinued, I wonder what's the next great speaker Radio shack is coming out with. Gee, never thought I'd be buying speakers from Radio Shack!

Similar Products Used:

Polk, Klipsch, Energy

bang for buck quality, excellent bass response (for a bookshelf-type speaker), pretty transparent sound

nothing too significant products used

it's hard to take the optimus name too seriously, but these RCA-manufactured speakers are really great if you live in an apartment, or just want to use them as bookshelf type monitors... I bought these at RadioShack about a year ago. They've held up well. Do not expect these to sound like 3-way tower speakers, but there's no question that there is a warmth of sound with these which you don't really here until you get get into some serious $$$. I also own the cambridge soundworks model 6. everyone gives those the big thumbs-up, and i just don't understand it. The X88-AV's blow away the Model 6's in my opinion. By contrast, the Model 6 speakers have a bassy, boomy quality which you really have to work around, and they miss something in the transparency department. I use the X88'AV's in an apartment setting, and I do crank them pretty loud, and they're still running well. Don't expect it to sound like there's a sub in the room, but you'll be impressed with the bass-imaging. my only complaint is the same as others, i.e. there's a harshness somewhere in the upper mids or hi's which can create some listener fatigue. but you can work around this with the eq... overall a good deal.

Similar Products Used:

cambridge soundworks model 6

Wonderful, crisp soundstage. Spacious highs

will not handle tons of power like floor standing speakers.

Radio Shack, Optimus, Realistic, RCA. Names that for years have meant "junk". I am here to talk about the X88's. I am also here to tell you that they are fabulous. When I bought these, I knew they were decent, but the real test came when they arrived, and I hooked them up. Whoa! 5 1/2" wide, 8" tall, and when placed on top of my older Kenwood floor speakers, my wife thought that all of the speakers were hooked up! She couldn't beleive it when I showed her that the Kenwoods weren't even hooked up! That was the 1st day, and I haven't stopped smiling since. If you can find them, get them, or sell them to me, haha! The more the merrier with these babies. A sub is a must, but once you have that, you're set. I give them 5 stars for value, and 4 stars overall.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus LX5, any other small bookshelf

This pretty much a redone and refined version of the PRO-X77 mini-monitor that RS has previously discontinued. The main difference is that the charcoal black model now has a stamped metal grill and can be used in an "Alfred Hitchcock" weapon and still be used as a speaker since it is in a very sturdy aluminum housing. You will definately need a sub to produce LFE and can be used stands and speaker mounts. Though it is claimed that this can go 5hz lower than the Pro-X77 (85-25K hz) you won't really notice it if you use a sub. It does still suffer from being a little bright, the lower normal sales price (X77 was normally $129/each), size, and overall performance makes this a good mini-monitor when used with one powered or two passive subs (sub localization). Normally this is a 4 star speaker for sound and when on sale (about every other month) is a 5 star mostly for value since there aren't too many mini-monitors and only more expensive bookshelves (2x the normal price) that can beat this in overall sound (and they need subs too for the most part).

Like Robert G, I've never walked into a R/S store and found the staff very knowledgable, nor have I found the stereo equipment hooked up properly, if hooked up at all. But thats a whole page worth of ranting.
I like the LX-5's better, if placed properly. I hear about people using LX-5's as surrounds and I wonder how they're placing the speakers. Because you're supposed to place any Linaeum tweeter at least a foot from the rear or side wall. Considering what people are doing with LX-5's, they'd be better of using the Pro-x88's instead, which aren't as good range wise, but are still one of the better buys on the market, especially when they are on sale. A seperate sub is a must, but the mid range and treble are reproduced with little or no strain and these speakers will handle more power than their ratings claim, provided its good power. The transients are good too, as well as imagery. If placement or lack of floor space is not an issue, then splurge and buy the LX-5's, (or better yet LX-10's) and place them on stands about a foot and a half from the walls. If space is a premium and you had planned to hang them anyway, buy the Pro-x88AV's. You may acheive better results with the X88's if you hang them with variable direction wall/ceiling swivel mounts, rather than flush mounting.

I give these speakers a '3' for overall performance comparrisons to other brands; a '4' as far R/S brands go; and a '-10' to Radio Shack for playing musical product line with their speakers and hiring the most dispassionate sales people I've ever encountered. What kind of apptitude test would I have to fail to get a job at Rat Shack!

Low price (when it was still "Optimus")

A little too bright and ear fatiguing

I agree 100% with Grant and Greg. Anyone contemplating purchasing these speakers should also try the Pro-X44AV's. Imo, they are far better - smoother and more open sounding. You'd be surprised how enjoyable the 44's are. And when Radio Shack has their 1/2 off sale, an unbelievable bargain at $30.00 each.

Similar Products Used:

Pro-X44AV, Pro-X55AV

Inexpensive

Harsh Sounding

In looking for some rear and center speakers to compliment my main speakers, Rogers LS 3/5a. I tried the RCA PRO-X88AV (aka Optimus PRO-X88AV) for only one day and return them for the smaller RCA PRO-X44AV because I could not bear to listen to them any longer. The 88's have a very hot crisp high end but after only a few minutes it became VERY irritating and harsh. I agree 100% with Greg from Corry, PA that the 44's are better (smoother from the highs to the midrange). Both speakers (88's and 44's) need a good subwoofer that reproduces from about 150 hz to 30 hz well because neither have any bass to speak of. I am still evaluating the 44's and I am planning to try the RCA PRO-X55AV (essentially the same as the 44's but larger 5" woofer) so my reviews of them are still pending but the 44's rival the sound of my Rogers LS 3/5a's which cost more than 10 times as much.

Consider giving the RCA PRO-X44AV and PRO-X55AV a try if are looking into the PRO-X88AV.

Similar Products Used:

Rogers LS 3/5a, RCA PRO-X44AV

Man it`s hard to A - B speakers at radio shack ,I have never seen a display in working order , The salesman got one ,yes one speaker working so i could here it. Good thing i knew what i wanted ,i wanted 2 speakers for the rear effects,trying to match 1971 jbl L100 main`s that have a very brite quality,well these seem to have that same quality.they actually sound better then the lx5 II `s or at least briter,the lx5 `s had no highs at all.imho. I really like the sound of theses , i guess their dicontinued at 49 dollas each,not bad.

Price, size, clarity, and smooth accurate sound.

None for a bookshelf/mini monitor.

If you could still find them get them! They are not discontinued. Radio Shack still makes them but they have a contract to carry the RCA label.

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Two sets of the original Minimus 7's from late 1970's or early 1980's. Can't remember. Yrs are just flying or I am just getting old. õ¿õ