Thinking about upgrading to an AV123 Rocket system

[Matt34]

A little tippy? At 100 lbs each that's a lot of weight to tip over. First time I've heard that complaint.

The initial wait along with hearing of them taking a long time to rectify problems really hurts them. That is one heck of a blow-out deal he's got going right now!


btw Where are all the "Prfessional" Reviews on this speaker. Having a really hard time finding anything besides some forum enthusiasts from over 3 years ago.

They are known to be a little tippsy due to there shape. I know of one member on AV123.com that made some out-riggers and was selling them, don't know if he still is.

 

[Soundman]

I really like my Rockets. They sound great for HT and are also decent for two channel. The only thing i didn't like about them was they're rather tippy, so i bought custom outriggers for the bottom to make the base wider so my daughter doesn't knock them over.

However, before you order Rockets, be prepared for long waits, numerous delays, and non-response to emails that you send. I ordered something in stock and received it relatively quickly, however, there was an issue and it took a good 7+ months to come to a resolution. In the end it was resolved to my satisfaction, but the length of time that passed and "effort" makes me question if it was the great value i thought it was. No doubt they're a good product, but if you don't have the patience of a Buddhist-monk, i'd look elsewhere...

I had to wait about 2 weeks for my Rockets. I thought it was well worth the wait, especially since I was prepared for it when I ordered them. They arrived at around the time they were scheduled to be delivered. I do like AV123's delivery methods. With freight shipping, there is a much smaller chance your order will be damaged during shipping, since everything is sent on it's own pallet and not touched untill it reaches your door. Then you are called and a delivery time scheduled for when you are home. The white glove service is nice so everything is brought in and placed where you want it.
Everyone was very helpful. Whether it be through a phone call or an email, my questions were always answered very promply.I have no complaints there. They have excellent customer service.
There was a snag though. As part of the deal, I was to receive a free pair of surround speakers to be delivered at a later time, once they were released. Of course these speakers got cancelled for whatever reason and AV123 decided not to release them, so I never got the speakers. However, I was given $179 of store credit to use whenever I want. I still haven't used it, but I thought it was a nice touch and one day, I'm sure I will use it.

 

[Soundman]

btw Where are all the "Prfessional" Reviews on this speaker. Having a really hard time finding anything besides some forum enthusiasts from over 3 years ago.

You proably aren't going to find alot of current reviews on them since the Rockets were released several years ago. Most reviewers tend to review recently released products. If you do a search though, you can find some reviews on them.

 

[abboudc]

I had to wait about 2 weeks for my Rockets. I thought it was well worth the wait, especially since I was prepared for it when I ordered them. They arrived at around the time they were scheduled to be delivered. I do like AV123's delivery methods. With freight shipping, there is a much smaller chance your order will be damaged during shipping, since everything is sent on it's own pallet and not touched untill it reaches your door. Then you are called and a delivery time scheduled for when you are home. The white glove service is nice so everything is brought in and placed where you want it.
Everyone was very helpful. Whether it be through a phone call or an email, my questions were always answered very promply.I have no complaints there. They have excellent customer service.
There was a snag though. As part of the deal, I was to receive a free pair of surround speakers to be delivered at a later time, once they were released. Of course these speakers got cancelled for whatever reason and AV123 decided not to release them, so I never got the speakers. However, I was given $179 of store credit to use whenever I want. I still haven't used it, but I thought it was a nice touch and one day, I'm sure I will use it.

A 2 week wait is exceptionally short, but for Rockets it's not the norm. From what i've seen the norm is more like 2 months, sometimes more.

Maybe i'm in the minority, good customer service to me means i get what i ordered when promised. And if there's a problem it's addressed promptly.

They seem like nice enough guys with good intentions. And they're certainly not out to rip anyone off or purposely mislead people on delivery times, etc. But I couldn't call their customer service excellent, even though their effort may be. And i certainly couldn't recommend them to the average buyer, without me becoming the target of their anger when they're waiting on their order.

I do love the speakers though. And so has everyone else that's heard them in my HT room. I especially like the center but it took a TV wall mount meant for a 27" TV to hold it up

 

[abboudc]

A little tippy? At 100 lbs each that's a lot of weight to tip over. First time I've heard that complaint.

btw Where are all the "Prfessional" Reviews on this speaker. Having a really hard time finding anything besides some forum enthusiasts from over 3 years ago.

The weight doesn't really help, as Matt said, it's due to the shape. They're tapered at the front and back. And i wasn't taking any chances.

While pro reviews are nice, you could probably find someone with Rockets in your area and audition in person by posting on the forum (when it's back up). Rocket owners are generally a friendly bunch.

They are known to be a little tippsy due to there shape. I know of one member on AV123.com that made some out-riggers and was selling them, don't know if he still is.

I bought them from him. They're really excellent quality -- black anodized machined aluminum, rounded edges, very professionally done. They were a tad pricey ($150) but in this case you got what you paid for.

 

[BoB/335]

Believe me that I don't put a lot of weight into "Pro Reviews" however it is still nice to help to complete the whole picture of a product that you are gathering info on. Certainly a lack of info on these Rockets besides their forum.

I sure would like a link to these outriggers you are talking about.

 

[cheapskete OCer]

Ok , I have to give some advice

I am a current owner of the rockets: 850s,450s,bigfoot, and I had both the Epik Knight and the MFW 15.

Let me give some good advice, (as someone on this forum did for me) I live in Pella iowa currently, Des moines is 45 minutes away from my town (town being the key word) jump on the av123 forum ask for someone local to demo the rockets, i found 3 people in less than 12 hours that were more than happy to do it in Des moines

I also have the onkyo 705 and i had polk R50s,R15s, and CS2. I did have to wait for 2 months to get my rockets but i already heard them at someone elses house and they sounded just as good if not better in my own home.

I can also tell you this as i am waiting for my MFW 15 rosewood faceplate the ETA for march was already bumped from november so you wont be waiting another 2 months.

I am not one of their fanboys if i didnt like their product i wouldnt waste my time typing this.

Take the 5 minutes to register on the forum and ask for a local demo,and dont be afraid to do it on other ID company forums i was torn between axiom and av123 after hearing Klipsch ,Paradigm, and B&W at a few shops Paradigm studio being my fav but way to much money then after demoing everything including the axioms I heard,saw the price,and loved the rockets

I guess I didnt mention this but , YES I am very happy
hope this helps...good luck

 

[BoB/335]

Well, I would have loved to jump on the current Rocket Special. Just couldn't bring myself to do it. The entire forum is shut down for any questions. Probably to stop all the drama. (Or at least try to)

Decided to go with an Axiom package. Great reviews from several different sources besides fans from their forum. There forum seems really great with no ongoing drama and complaints. Raves of great customer service. (I mean REAL customer service) We'll see when they get here.

 

[fredk]

MFW 15 rosewood faceplate

So is the front panel on the MFW a faceplate? I wondered from the pictures I have seen. Nice idea.

 

[cheapskete OCer]

Well, I would have loved to jump on the current Rocket Special. Just couldn't bring myself to do it. The entire forum is shut down for any questions. Probably to stop all the drama. (Or at least try to)

Decided to go with an Axiom package. Great reviews from several different sources besides fans from their forum. There forum seems really great with no ongoing drama and complaints. Raves of great customer service. (I mean REAL customer service) We'll see when they get here.

Congrats on your decision, I demoed the axiom top speakers and they sounded great but at times were really bright which I saw you said you thought the polks were bright, but you will find out for yourself soon enough as i read they they get their product to you quick, hopefully you like them, Im sure you will, did you by chance get a custom finish I saw some pics in their forum from members with some custom finishes and they looked great

 

[cheapskete OCer]

So is the front panel on the MFW a faceplate? I wondered from the pictures I have seen. Nice idea.

yea the whole front plate above the port can be removed, but if you have the grill on you can only see the finish around the edges, unfortunately my subs best location is in the back of the room facing the right side of the room so i wont be able to see it anyway

heres a couple a pics

 

[BoB/335]

Congrats on your decision, I demoed the axiom top speakers and they sounded great but at times were really bright which I saw you said you thought the polks were bright, but you will find out for yourself soon enough as i read they they get their product to you quick, hopefully you like them, Im sure you will, did you by chance get a custom finish I saw some pics in their forum from members with some custom finishes and they looked great

The Polk bookshelves??? The have no bottom. I did audition some Polk Towers back in December that I thought had a dull high end..Got the standard Boston Cherry finish from their Factory Outlet at a discount. Can't afford the custom shop.

Got the system today and spent some time listning to just the M80 towers for music. (Going away for the weekend so might not get to set up everything till I get home) I can hear where some say they are a bit bright. I think they have a very clear presentation. Just listened to a jazz trio that sounded really good. I'll give these some more time.