Axiom or AV123 Rocket

[Midcow2]

efficiency

from av123 site, the spec didnot indicate watts on those rockets. anyone know the watts rating on these rocket? Also the efficiency is 87; is it low?

87 is about average a little low. The dB scale is logrithmic. 80 pretty bad, 90 average 100 very good. Most average AVRs will drive 87 dB with no problem.

 

[abboudc]

Who has the Avia setup DVD for $20?

Amazon has it new for $27.50, or the Rives audio one is $21.

 

[fredk]

jamie2112. Fair enough. I also know of a number of musicians, including myself, some of whom are professionals (not me) who rave about the sound of the M80. It continues to puzzle me as to why there is such a large range of opinion on these speakers.

I guess it just higlights the need to go out and listen to a bunch of different speakers before you buy.

Fred

 

[mazersteven]

From what I have read, the Axioms will give you a more detailed sound.

That is not true. Axiom's tweeter is just more forward then the Rocket's tweeter. Both speakers produce excellent sound reproduction. Just that the Axioms are what people call brighter, and the Rockets more neutral.

 

[mazersteven]

are you're saying that my voice would sound differently when played on rocket vs axiom?

Yes your voice would sound different.

 

[mazersteven]

for example, if I record my voice, I would expect to hear the same regardless of speakers.

Every speaker will have it's own sound quality, and sound characteristics. Driver, Crossover, Enclosure, all contribute to how a speaker sounds.

 

[mazersteven]

That is my impression based on what I have read. "Laid back" usually means less detailed.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm going to call on this one. "Laid Back" does not mean less detail.

The term "Laid Back" is used when a speaker is more neutral sounding then forward.

 

[MUDSHARK]

I have also read the description of warm as opposed to laid-back. Neutral speakers can sound bright in untreated or hard rooms.

 

[fredk]

but I'm going to call on this one

Hmm. I have seen laid back, recessed and less detailed used in a similar manner though maybe not here. I got the impression bright and laid back were opposites. There is a definitions article somewhere on this site I need to look at.

Fred

 

[Soundman]

the Bigfoot is less stylish look than the VP150 (smaller and balanced look) but I am glad to hear that bigfoot sounds better which is what I care most.


from the external appearance, the Rockets are better. what about eletronic components inside? my concerns is that av123 spends more on the appearance and cut cost on the inside. and Axiom spend more money on the component inside than outside?

I would not worry about the inside of the Rockets. They sound as good as they look. The reason AV123 can offer products of this quality at this price point is because they own 3 warehouses worldwide, one in California, one in south america, and one in china. The wood used for the enclosures is built locally and built on site. This is a huge cost saving advantage.
As for the components inside, both companies are using good speaker design to build their speakers, they just sound different. I would like to comment on the detail of the Rockets. It's not that the Rockets are less detailed then the Axioms, just different.The Viffa tweeter used by the Rockets has actually one some awards (whatever that's worth). The high end is very detailed, it just sounds different then Axiom. They are a more neutral speaker,wheras the Axioms focus more on the high end frequencies, so if the room is not treated, they will sound harsh at high listening levels. I have owned both speakers, and this was my experience. Let me just say that you really just need to audition both and see what type of sound you prefer. If going Axiom though, you will need to treat the room.

 

[foxnews]

since RS 760 was rated at 87 efficiency, should I upgrade to RS 850 which is rated at 91 efficiency?

is efficiency important?

 

[Soundman]

since RS 760 was rated at 87 efficiency, should I upgrade to RS 850 which is rated at 91 efficiency?

is efficiency important?

To some degree, efficiency can have an effect, but I wouldn't base my decision of a certain speaker on that. If you really like the speaker, don't pass it up based on the efficiency. If you really need to, you can always add more amplification later. Most mid-range receivers, should be able to drive this speaker. Of course, more amplification is never a bad thing.
As for the 850's, due to the (4) midrange drivers, they offer a little more refinement in the midrange area. It's great for home theatre. Most of the audio track will fall in this region. However, for music, the 760's do great. Put something on with a nice kickdrum and they sound FANTASTIC! If you are using a sub, the bass isn't a big deal though. it's really the mid-range advantage of the 850's that's the deal breaker. You have to decide if it's worth the extra expense. Personally, I think it is, so I went with the 850's! But honestly, both of these speakers do an excellent job with music and movies.

 

[foxnews]

To some degree, efficiency can have an effect, but I wouldn't base my decision of a certain speaker on that. If you really like the speaker, don't pass it up based on the efficiency. If you really need to, you can always add more amplification later. Most mid-range receivers, should be able to drive this speaker. Of course, more amplification is never a bad thing.
As for the 850's, due to the (4) midrange drivers, they offer a little more refinement in the midrange area. It's great for home theatre. Most of the audio track will fall in this region. However, for music, the 760's do great. Put something on with a nice kickdrum and they sound FANTASTIC! If you are using a sub, the bass isn't a big deal though. it's really the mid-range advantage of the 850's that's the deal breaker. You have to decide if it's worth the extra expense. Personally, I think it is, so I went with the 850's! But honestly, both of these speakers do an excellent job with music and movies.

I noticed that RS 760 has 6.5" woofer while RS 850 has smaller 5.25" woofer.
should bigger woofers make speakers sound better (or more powerful) than small woofers do?

also RS760 has 2x 6.5" woofer and 2x 5.25" woofer. this is almost the same as Axiom M80 which has an extra 1" tweeter.

 

[Soundman]

I noticed that RS 760 has 6.5" woofer while RS 850 has smaller 5.25" woofer.
should bigger woofers make speakers sound better (or more powerful) than small woofers do?

also RS760 has 2x 6.5" woofer and 2x 5.25" woofer. this is almost the same as Axiom M80 which has an extra 1" tweeter.

This is not necessarily true. Every speaker is designed differently, and there are other factors that effect the sound besides the driver size. For example, the RS 850's have a bigger presence, just a bigger sound then the 760's do, due to the larger internal volume of the enclosure. However, the (2) 6.5 " woofers of the 760's do help it to produce some nice bass. So, if you were going to do music only with no sub, you might want to stick with the 760's because they might go slightly lower, but the overall presence, wide soundstage, and refined midrange, gives the edge to the 850's. If you are going to be using a sub, the 850's are the way to go, but as I mentioned before. They both sound really good, IMO.