Looking for impressive HT speakers

[silversurfer]

I am not attacking their products per se, just their marketing strategy. I mean how would you guys like it if some B&W, Revel, etc. fanboys just flooded the forum with av123 every time someone makes a post. Of course they aren't the only ID brand that does it but they seem to do it in full force compared to the others. Although nowadays Curtis at AVS has gotten into it with a lot of people when it comes to Ascend. Now I understand that it's hard being the new kid on the block and whatnot. But for people to go and say that they are now the best thing since sliced bread when comparing them to companies that have been in business a lot longer and to ones that actually design and build their own speakers down to the drivers is just wrong.

I wouldn't care so much about it but it gets old fast when every time someone mentions that he/she are looking for x type of speaker for y amount of money and everyone gives their opinion one person comes along and just spouts that av123 has the better speaker and that the others aren't worth squat.

I understand where you are coming from. You have to remember, as far as costs go, AV123 has a distinct advantage because they make their own cabinets. IMO, that is a big cost savings for them, especially when using China and South America to do so. You can debate the claim that ID saves the consumer money, but IMO, it does.

Also, if you notice, those making the perceptions that AV123 is the "best", or any other ID brand for that matter, don't have a lot of experience. So it is important to understand the source of the info. It is a pain in the ***, but research is crucial.

Also remember, that this is the internet, and because of that, I think internet brands get more play. I think that gives more perception of a flood. Just a couple of years ago, you could go into an audio shop and mention SVS, and nobody would know what you were talking about, now that is different, and that is because they make good product. Try that with AV123 now, probably the biggest as far as ID brands go, and not many know them, that is pretty interesting since AV123 has been around at least as long as SVS. I also read that at CES a couple of years ago, Aperion got more traffic than AV123, I thought that was interesting too.

For what it's worth, I own Ascend products, Curtis actually lives a few miles from me, and I have been to his home twice, and he has been to my home twice. Not to defend him, but he lets anybody bring product to his home to compare, and will try to bring stuff to other places to compare. He may have his biases, but he is willing to put his "money where his mouth is". For the most part, he says "listen for yourself", and the times I have listened with him, he offers no opinion until I speak first, and even then he doesn't say much as far as what he likes or dislikes.

There is a lot of good product out there, and I agree that there is a lot of hype too, but the only way you are going to distinguish(sp?) between the two is to listen.

 

[Soundman]

Thanks for the links, while the Salk did the best in overall it would seem that the Rocket RS850 would be exactly what I am looking for, the Salk fell off at higher levels but the Rocket kept going. With everything so close it would be the dynamic range and impact this speaker provides that would make this a better HT speaker with the 2 channel edge to Salk IMHO.

Reading this thread has gotten me excited again about getting my Rockets! I ordered them a while back, but due to strong demand, I still have not received them. (They were out of stock). I was able to get the 850's for $999/pr, so I'm willing to wait. Just keep your eyes open. AV123 has sales all the time. Even the sale going right now is a great price, plus free shipping.

 

[Soundman]

I understand where you are coming from. You have to remember, as far as costs go, AV123 has a distinct advantage because they make their own cabinets. IMO, that is a big cost savings for them, especially when using China and South America to do so. You can debate the claim that ID saves the consumer money, but IMO, it does.

Also, if you notice, those making the perceptions that AV123 is the "best", or any other ID brand for that matter, don't have a lot of experience. So it is important to understand the source of the info. It is a pain in the ***, but research is crucial.

Also remember, that this is the internet, and because of that, I think internet brands get more play. I think that gives more perception of a flood. Just a couple of years ago, you could go into an audio shop and mention SVS, and nobody would know what you were talking about, now that is different, and that is because they make good product. Try that with AV123 now, probably the biggest as far as ID brands go, and not many know them, that is pretty interesting since AV123 has been around at least as long as SVS. I also read that at CES a couple of years ago, Aperion got more traffic than AV123, I thought that was interesting too.

For what it's worth, I own Ascend products, Curtis actually lives a few miles from me, and I have been to his home twice, and he has been to my home twice. Not to defend him, but he lets anybody bring product to his home to compare, and will try to bring stuff to other places to compare. He may have his biases, but he is willing to put his "money where his mouth is". For the most part, he says "listen for yourself", and the times I have listened with him, he offers no opinion until I speak first, and even then he doesn't say much as far as what he likes or dislikes.

There is a lot of good product out there, and I agree that there is a lot of hype too, but the only way you are going to distinguish(sp?) between the two is to listen.

I agree with you, silver surfer. I'm not being an AV123 fanboy, but it is true they have an advantage by being Internet direct, they build their own cabinets and some of their own custom drivers. I don't think you can go into a dealer and get that kind of quality cabinet and finish for the same price. Of course this is just astetics and has nothing to do with the sound, but it does say something about the company, very solidly constructed. As for the company being the new kid on the block, i think before riduculing the company (gus), one should do their research. Look at Mark, the founder of AV123. Check out his resume. I wouldn't call him a new kid on the block. He's well known in the industry. The guy used to build $100,000 speakers and now he's trying to make well made speakers that are actually affordable. Anyway, just had to mention that. I do not think AV123 is necessarily the best company on the planet. There are many great companies out their that make great speakers, and AV123 is one of them.

 

[silversurfer]

I agree with you, silver surfer. I'm not being an AV123 fanboy, but it is true they have an advantage by being Internet direct, they build their own cabinets and some of their own custom drivers. I don't think you can go into a dealer and get that kind of quality cabinet and finish for the same price. Of course this is just astetics and has nothing to do with the sound, but it does say something about the company, very solidly constructed. As for the company being the new kid on the block, i think before riduculing the company (gus), one should do their research. Look at Mark, the founder of AV123. Check out his resume. I wouldn't call him a new kid on the block. He's well known in the industry. The guy used to build $100,000 speakers and now he's trying to make well made speakers that are actually affordable. Anyway, just had to mention that. I do not think AV123 is necessarily the best company on the planet. There are many great companies out their that make great speakers, and AV123 is one of them.

Ahh. You see, you have not done research as well. They do not have any custom drivers(if I am wrong, can you point me to them? It has been a while since I researched this). Mark is very well known in the industry, and if you really do your research, his background, while reputable, is not all rosey.

I don't think Gus is ridiculing anything, but there is a difference between reading the marketing and doing the research.

 

[mazersteven]

For what it's worth, I own Ascend products, Curtis actually lives a few miles from me, and I have been to his home twice, and he has been to my home twice.

Somethings Fishy about that.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Somethings Fishy about that.

I nominate Mazer as the most entertaining forum member!

 

[silversurfer]

Somethings Fishy about that.

Yeah. You and I have been down this road before.

I went to his house to listen to his Ascends. First his CMT-340SE's on their own, and then I brought a pair of speakers. Then he brought his 340's to my place to compare twice to speakers I had.

 

[abboudc]

Ahh. You see, you have not done research as well. They do not have any custom drivers(if I am wrong, can you point me to them? \

From the product description page for the 850:
Drivers: Vifa Ring Radiator tweeter, four custom 5.25" long-throw aluminum cone woofers, one custom 4" aluminum cone midrange
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=50.1

 

[abboudc]

I wouldn't care so much about it but it gets old fast when every time someone mentions that he/she are looking for x type of speaker for y amount of money and everyone gives their opinion one person comes along and just spouts that av123 has the better speaker and that the others aren't worth squat.

The same thing tends to happen with subs and SVS.

People are crazy sometimes...because *they* bought it, it's the best. It's even worse with the ID brands, because they have to say it twice as much to twice as many people since the first words out of peoples mouths are: "Never heard of 'em".

FWIW, i own a pair of Rockets and love them. There are certainly competitive speakers out there and some other companies mentioned in this thread are very competent. IMHO, Ascend makes the best bookshelves under $500/pr. The Salks are great. The Swans, the list goes on and on.

They make some good products at some reasonable prices. As with all brands that do that, there are bound to be a few fanboys out there...in the end it's your money and your choice. In any case, making your speaker decision based on what some idiot says (good or bad) about a speaker on an internet forum isn't a good idea.