Rockets versus B&W's

[T-Bone]

This is the question: B&W 703's, or Rocket 850's?
This is the answer: B&W 703's.
Just answer Pete's question.

You are right... it is easy to get off topic


Pete:

If you can afford it, I suggest you buy the 703s locally (with the understanding with the dealer that you can return them after a few days if not satisfied), and have a pair of Rocket 750s OR 850s delivered so you can demo the Rockets and 703s side by side.

While we all have opinions, no one but you can really answer the question (laid back vs forward vs accurate vs etc, etc). Plus, every room is different, and speakers can sound drastically different from room to room.

If you cannot afford to have both in-house at the same time, then you'll have to base your decision on owner feedback. You should also visit av123 forum, and avsforum, for additional feedback.

 

[cnewlander]

I heard those Rockets side by side with Paradigms. No comparison, I preferred the Paradigms hands down. The Rockets have a narrow soundstage, way too much bass boom, not so great imaging.

I own a pair of Rocket 750's, 300's, 1000's and bigfoot along with av123's Emotiva DMC-1 A/V processor and the MPS-1 mutli-channel monoblock-design amplifier. The only way someone is going to get this equipment from me is by prying it from my dead hands.

I have had many people listen to my 750's (and 1000's). When bigfoot is turned off they ask to me turn off bigfoot (because the imaging is so DAMM good they believe bigfoot is on when in fact it is off). "Not so great" imaging? Seriously now I'm concerned for your ears because if you are not hearing the incredible imaging of the 750s' (which most everyone who auditions them comments about) you may be suffering from hearing loss. Please get your hearing checked for your own peace of mind. And please stop your av123 bashing.

 

[craigsub]

Well...

Thanks to "furrycute", I found another forum. Furrycute, We are going to be putting together a blind test between Rocket RS-850's or 1000's, B&W 703's, Paradigm Studio 100 V. 3's, and Possibly Klipsch RF-7's.

The "Klipsch Fan" who prompted this GTG has now disappeared, so the Klipsch may be out.

Perhaps you, as an audio guru, would like to attend ?

All listening will be done in two channel, using a McIntosh MA-6900 200 WPC Integrated amp.

YOU are just the type of guy we need at an event like this.

 

[furrycute]

If you cannot afford to have both in-house at the same time, then you'll have to base your decision on owner feedback. You should also visit av123 forum, and avsforum, for additional feedback.

Many people have listened to these glowing "owner feedback" on those forums and went ahead and purchased these Rockets. They have been mightily disappointed.

I cannot say what happens on the av123 forum. But on the avsforum, at least about a year and a half ago, any negative comments about these Rockets are instantly shot down by a cabal of "fanatical Rocket owners."

Whenever someone posted that:
1) those Rockets failed to live up to their expectations,
2) do not sound good,
3) too laid back,

The inevitable response from this cabal would be:
1) the rest of your equipment are not high end enough to bring out the "true" potential of the rockets,
2) let the speakers break in, for at least 31 days (the return period ends after 30 days),
3) your listening room needs acoustic treatment,
4) you just don't have those golden ears,
5) you are simply just crazy not to love those Rockets


There, that's my summary of those glowing "owner feedback" on avsforum from about a year and half ago. Things have cleaned up a lot since that forum's administrator stepped in and gave stern warnings to that "owners'" cabal.

 

[furrycute]

Perhaps you, as an audio guru, would like to attend ?

Sure thing, as long as you are willing to come to Durham, NC to pick up my 150lb plus floorstanders and drive me and my towers to the meet and bring me back.

And just so you know I am not making any excuses for not wanting to attend this:
1) I don't like to drive long distance
2) I have a mid sized sedan, my towers would not fit into my car

 

[craigsub]

Well....

We will have a pair of 703's here ... so you won't need your speakers. I will also pay your airfare ... there are direct flights from Raleigh into Erie, Pa.

The purpose of this is for fun ... and to get the audio community to be a friendlier place....

 

[furrycute]

I have already heard the Rocket 750 model against a pair of Paradigm floorstanders in a local meet. And the Paradigm beat out the Rockets hands down. I have also heard some B&W floorstanders against some Paradigm floorstanders, and I preferred the sound of the B&W's.

What I really want to do this time is to compare my speakers to the Rockets. Since this is not possible, I would decline the invitation.

 

[T-Bone]

Many people have listened to these glowing "owner feedback" on those forums and went ahead and purchased these Rockets. They have been mightily disappointed.

I cannot say what happens on the av123 forum. But on the avsforum, at least about a year and a half ago, any negative comments about these Rockets are instantly shot down by a cabal of "fanatical Rocket owners."

Whenever someone posted that:
1) those Rockets failed to live up to their expectations,
2) do not sound good,
3) too laid back,

The inevitable response from this cabal would be:
1) the rest of your equipment are not high end enough to bring out the "true" potential of the rockets,
2) let the speakers break in, for at least 31 days (the return period ends after 30 days),
3) your listening room needs acoustic treatment,
4) you just don't have those golden ears,
5) you are simply just crazy not to love those Rockets


There, that's my summary of those glowing "owner feedback" on avsforum from about a year and half ago. Things have cleaned up a lot since that forum's administrator stepped in and gave stern warnings to that "owners'" cabal.

If you quote me, please quote my whole posts.

Yes, if he cannot demo both at the same time, there is no other alternative but to use owner/reviewer feedback to guide his buying decision. But the flaw with using feedback can be seen in your posts: anti-speaker X, and pro-speaker Y. My posts are unbiased. As long as Pete does not fixate on the anti-speaker posts, and focuses on the unbiased posts, he'll be okay.

By the way, I get the impression you are basing a lot of your opinion of the 750 classics, and not the 750 Sigs (as I have stated, I've heard neither).

You mention lack of imaging w.r.t. the 750s... my 550 MK IIs image very well. My room is 17'-4" wide, and seating is 8'-10" wide across 4 seats. I re-arranged my speakers this morning, in fact, and while they sounded very good before, I did improve imaging. This is why it is important to hear speakers in one's room, when properly arranged. Some rave about the 550 MK IIs imaging capability, but man, many rave about the 750s imaging capability. All I can say, without hearing the 750s, is that they probably do image as well as the owners/reviewers say they do.

 

[zumbo]

Thanks to "furrycute", I found another forum. Furrycute, We are going to be putting together a blind test between Rocket RS-850's or 1000's, B&W 703's, Paradigm Studio 100 V. 3's, and Possibly Klipsch RF-7's.

The "Klipsch Fan" who prompted this GTG has now disappeared, so the Klipsch may be out.

Perhaps you, as an audio guru, would like to attend ?

All listening will be done in two channel, using a McIntosh MA-6900 200 WPC Integrated amp.

YOU are just the type of guy we need at an event like this.

Sounds like alot of fun. The Klipsch can't compete with Paradigm or B&W. You can put some MB Quart 830's or 1030's in your test. But, beware, you might have some very unhappy people.

 

[craigsub]

Not a surprise...

I have already heard the Rocket 750 model against a pair of Paradigm floorstanders in a local meet. And the Paradigm beat out the Rockets hands down. I have also heard some B&W floorstanders against some Paradigm floorstanders, and I preferred the sound of the B&W's.

What I really want to do this time is to compare my speakers to the Rockets. Since this is not possible, I would decline the invitation.

I thought a blind test would be more than you could take. Anyone, whether he owns Rockets, B&W's, Paradigms ... etc.... can look right at the speakers and declare... "Yep, Mine are the best"...

But to do so in a blind test takes confidence.

 

[furrycute]

Fine, tell me the date, I'll look up the roundtrip airfare on travelocity. Send me a paypal payment to reimburse me, and we'll talk.

 

[furrycute]

And another thing, how was this meet arranged? Craigsub, you are an active member on the avsforum as well as the av123 forum. But I don't see any threads on those 2 forums about a meet.

 

[craigsub]

It is there ...

In fact, there is quite a bit of interest... WE just have not discussed it for a couple of weeks.

I just bumped the thread on AVS. It is on page one of the speakers section.

And yes, I own Rockets, but I do NOT care who "wins" this blind test. I just get tired of all the pi$$ing contests about speakers ... when NOONE who starts said contests will EVER do a blind test.

 

[zumbo]

In fact, there is quite a bit of interest... WE just have not discussed it for a couple of weeks.

I just bumped the thread on AVS. It is on page one of the speakers section.

And yes, I own Rockets, but I do NOT care who "wins" this blind test. I just get tired of all the pi$$ing contests about speakers ... when NOONE who starts said contests will EVER do a blind test.

I would be honered to participate in this. If it is not too far to drive, I will bring a pair of MB Quart 830's for the test. It would be fun.
And, I will pay my own way!

 

[VS540]

A quick observation:

Most every post, 9 out of 11 (VS540) has made at this forum is based on the defense of rocket loudspeakers...

Most every post, 3 out of 4 (TinHere) has made at this forum is also based on the promotion or defense of rocket loudspeakers...

hmmmmmmmmmm.....

must be coincidence...

c'mon fellas....

Ross.

LOL that's funny I got a good chuckle out of that.

You should work in politics because you are pretty good at spinning things.

THIS is the ONLY time on this forum I have "DEFENDED" Rockets. But I guess to you just mentioning them is "defending" them. Get a clue....

I went back and looked at all my post's I think I only even mention Rockets umm....twice maybe three times....hmmm......

 

[craigsub]

Cool...

I would be honered to participate in this. If it is not too far to drive, I will bring a pair of MB Quart 830's for the test. It would be fun.
And, I will pay my own way!

And to save me some time... What does a pair of the MB quarts retail for ?

Also... Where do you live ? I am in Erie, Pa...

 

[zumbo]

And to save me some time... What does a pair of the MB quarts retail for ?

Also... Where do you live ? I am in Erie, Pa...

I think around $1430.00 or so. I paid $999.00 for mine. I have four.
I am in MS. That would be quiet a drive. Might have to meet half way! LOL

 

[Ross]

Personally, it doesn't matter to me that some of you fellas that have only participated on this forum for the sole purpose of defense and/or promotion of av123.

It also doesn't bother me that you guys have something to gain or loose from anything negative being posted about av123.

For myself and others, I would like to think that we are just a community of hifi geeks that like to meet and chat about the various options out there, in order to better our own and each others hifi experience. However, when you taint this brotherhood with clever marketing tactics and biased motives, the validity of the brotherhood is quickly diminished.

I have seen where av123 has been called to task for their questionable marketing practices across some of the various HT forums on the web. I witnessed this occurence over at avsforum and S&V a while back.

I just think its important (for readers) to know just who is feeding them their information in cases such as this.

best,
Ross.

 

[Fb111794]

In fact, there is quite a bit of interest... WE just have not discussed it for a couple of weeks.

I just bumped the thread on AVS. It is on page one of the speakers section.

And yes, I own Rockets, but I do NOT care who "wins" this blind test. I just get tired of all the pi$$ing contests about speakers ... when NOONE who starts said contests will EVER do a blind test.

You know Craig..... it's funny how folks can BASH a company, their business model, their owner, and their thousands of loyal customers.... behind the veil of the Internet and their computer screen. Yet, when confronted to actually put their money where their mouth is and do a totally unbiased BLIND test with THEIR brand of speaker included against the one (or more) they like to trash.... cold feet abound.

I would suggest that you challenge furrycute to the same test that so petrified Jimroberts100. That he must report his findings after the blind testing is done (but BEFORE the speakers are revealed), and YOU post his exact findings on this forum, while he watches you post them..... and THEN speaker brand is revealed.

Kind of a cool way to "test" ones opinion of a particular brand.... removing any pre-conceived bias.... ponying up to the bar and paying the tab like a man. It should be quite fun don't you think?

As for me.... yeah.... I'll be there as well. Not only as the Chef, grilling PRIME BLACK ANGUS STRIP STEAKS and serving up sea salt encrusted baked potatoes and wine simmered mushrooms.... but a participant in the blind test as well with MY brand of speakers.... AUDES Blues.

I have no worries what so ever. While I simply love my Blues.... I've also auditioned Rocket 750 Signatures, 550 MK II's (simply LOVED these bad boys), 1000's and all of the Reference line of ONIX speakers. The 850's which I think are going to be represented in the blind shoot out, should fit in quite nicely and represent ONIX quite well I should think.

In the end.... it's all about sound. It should be a BLAST and frankly, or hopefully to some..... educational as well.

John W.
Indy

 

[3beanlimit]

Actually I am thinking about buying a new car soon.

You still have yet to list the equipment or even the speakers your using.....

A guess.......you over spent on them and are now looking for a scapegoat.

There are lots of car forums when you go looking. I would suggest you might take a gander so you don't get taken again.