My speaker search update: Onix Rockets

[dr150]

Ascend Acoustics:
1.) Exceptional bang for the buck.
2.) Competes with speakers over $1k
3.) Exceptional customer service and return policy
4.) High resale value if you ever decide to upgrade. Very popular speakers among audiophiles.
5.) Solidly constructed speakers. Lexus-like in reliability.


There's a reason why Ascends are tremendously popular. Looked from every angle, it's a win-win.

While I own a $20k system, I LOVE how my Ascends sound in the bedroom! They are not embarassed in the least.

Mate it with a Hsu or SVS sub and you'll never feel the need for anything else!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: dr150
Ascend Acoustics:
1.) Exceptional bang for the buck.
2.) Competes with speakers over $1k
3.) Exceptional customer service and return policy
4.) High resale value if you ever decide to upgrade. Very popular speakers among audiophiles.
5.) Solidly constructed speakers. Lexus-like in reliability.


There's a reason why Ascends are tremendously popular. Looked from every angle, it's a win-win.

While I own a $20k system, I LOVE how my Ascends sound in the bedroom! They are not embarassed in the least.

Mate it with a Hsu or SVS sub and you'll never feel the need for anything else!

Seems like I can say the same thing about Onix Rockets too though... too many good options

Do you have 340s? 170s?

Any decent pictures of how they look in a real setting? (I haven't searched too hard, but I haven't found many pictures besides the ones that Ascend has on their site)

Did you audition anything else in the pricerange?

 

[JackieO]

Hola - I'm interested to see what you think after you audition the setups you're interested in. I was in almost the exact same situation as you when I was building my HT and my top two choices were the same as yours. I think more than anything that says something about the quality of both the Ascends and the Rockets. Since I lived in the Bay Area at the time I had a lot of access to both setups and after extensive listening I decided to go with the Rockets - before I go on let me just say that I made this decision based on the sound I liked best and can absolutely understand why someone would prefer Ascends. There are marked differences between the two and I think if you listen to both one will definitely jump out at you as a favorite. For me the Rockets had a deep and resonant midrange while maintaining clear but not harsh highs. On the other hand the Ascends had a wider soundstage and more "crisp" treble energy, but they fatigued my ears and human voices weren't as strong as I like.

They definitely both have pros and cons and no matter what you pick I am sure you'll love them. Please keep us informed!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: JackieO
Hola - I'm interested to see what you think after you audition the setups you're interested in. I was in almost the exact same situation as you when I was building my HT and my top two choices were the same as yours. I think more than anything that says something about the quality of both the Ascends and the Rockets. Since I lived in the Bay Area at the time I had a lot of access to both setups and after extensive listening I decided to go with the Rockets - before I go on let me just say that I made this decision based on the sound I liked best and can absolutely understand why someone would prefer Ascends. There are marked differences between the two and I think if you listen to both one will definitely jump out at you as a favorite. For me the Rockets had a deep and resonant midrange while maintaining clear but not harsh highs. On the other hand the Ascends had a wider soundstage and more "crisp" treble energy, but they fatigued my ears and human voices weren't as strong as I like.

They definitely both have pros and cons and no matter what you pick I am sure you'll love them. Please keep us informed!

Thanks for the reply

It seems like I can't go wrong with either set.

I made an audition request over at the Ascend forums 4 days ago and didn't get any responses. Meanwhile my thread over at AV123 for the rockets is on its 4th page.

I liked the short audition I had with the rockets.

I think I've narrowed it down to the $1690 5.0 Ascend 340 set and the $1890 5.0 Rocket 200 / 550s set.

I didn't think I was going to be shallow enough to consider the appearance of the speakers, but I keep thinking about how awesome the Rockets looked. I'm afraid that if I get the Ascends with their dark textured look instead of the real South American Rosewood that the Rockets have I'll never forgive myself. The deal on the rockets set is about $900 off the price of the speakers bought at their normal prices. I think the $200 difference between the sets is something I'm willing to pay to get myself a sexy rockets set.

I should probably do an audition of the Ascend 340s vs the Rocket 550s just to make sure, but I'm not sure I want to go through the hassle of buying them, paying for shipping both ways, and getting a refund back to whatever I use to pay for them.

I know it's pretty dumb not to do it since the Ascend shipping is so cheap, but I think I'm in love with the Rockets :heart:.

I'll see if I change my mind by pay day though

 

[dr150]

If you like the Rocket finish then get them.

You know that you can get Ascend now in different colors? Email Ascend to learn more.

I've owned Rockets in the past and they are warm sounding. But compared to Ascend, it's like lifting a veil or blanket off from the speaker. Ascends are very open, crisp and neutral.

I've owned Axioms and they use a titanium tweeter as you know. It is very well implemented and sounds great. With crappy receiver or cd player, I'd avoid the Axioms b/c they will magnify the bad sound up top.

Rockets would be the choice if you have crappy/cheap components tied to it as the Rockets are more forgiving due to their warm sound.

Ascend provides the best blend of Rockets and Axiom. Smooth up top due to its dome tweeter.

Paired with the right equipment, each brand can do well and will make you happy. But the Ascends is more the jack of all trades.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: dr150
If you like the Rocket finish then get them.

You know that you can get Ascend now in different colors? Email Ascend to learn more.

I've owned Rockets in the past and they are warm sounding. But compared to Ascend, it's like lifting a veil or blanket off from the speaker. Ascends are very open, crisp and neutral.

I've owned Axioms and they use a titanium tweeter as you know. It is very well implemented and sounds great. With crappy receiver or cd player, I'd avoid the Axioms b/c they will magnify the bad sound up top.

Rockets would be the choice if you have crappy/cheap components tied to it as the Rockets are more forgiving due to their warm sound.

Ascend provides the best blend of Rockets and Axiom. Smooth up top due to its dome tweeter.

Paired with the right equipment, each brand can do well and will make you happy. But the Ascends is more the jack of all trades.

I read some stuff about Ascend offering some different finishes. If it was the same texture if they have by default, I'd go with the default color of almost black. I think I remember reading a quote on Ascend offering some finishes like silver, white, piano black, etc. but I think the prices for the finishes ended up close to doubling the cost of the speakers.

I don't think they have anything that looks as great as the rockets though
Example pics (even though you said you've owned some):
bigfoot
550

My DVD player / CD player is total crap

I've checked the b-stock inventory and they have at least one set of rosewood 550s without mention of physical defect. I sent an e-mail but haven't heard back yet about if they can send b-stock in package deals. Saving $100 a pair on the 550s could end up making this set the same price as the Ascend set

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Update for changed title etc.

Just got an e-mail from AV123 saying they could do the b-stock option for $1499 for me.

I'm all set to order tomorrow

EDIT: boooo, just got another e-mail saying their $1499 quote was wrong :frown:

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Ordered

 

[Excelsior]

Damn Jello..that dorm theater is gonna kick some major ass now.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Damn Jello..that dorm theater is gonna kick some major ass now.

It's actually a basement theater back home in Milwaukee right now... and it's going to be a college house theater next year... so I guess I'm going to have to change my sig

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Damn Jello..that dorm theater is gonna kick some major ass now.

It's actually a basement theater back home in Milwaukee right now... and it's going to be a college house theater next year... so I guess I'm going to have to change my sig

Yeah..well..you know what I meant. Wherever the hell those speakers are, it will be badass. I wish I had that kind of dough...one day.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Damn Jello..that dorm theater is gonna kick some major ass now.

It's actually a basement theater back home in Milwaukee right now... and it's going to be a college house theater next year... so I guess I'm going to have to change my sig

Yeah..well..you know what I meant. Wherever the hell those speakers are, it will be badass. I wish I had that kind of dough...one day.

This is equivalent to about a third of what I'm going to make the whole summer, so I'm not exactly rolling in it either , but thanks. I hope I get my money's worth out of them.

 

[EvilYoda]

Ah, you finally made a decision, congrats! I might be picking up some more marketing jobs so hopefully I'll go about that upgrade soon.

What manufacturer do they use for the woofers? Tweeter looks like a Vifa ring radiator, I think.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Ah, you finally made a decision, congrats! I might be picking up some more marketing jobs so hopefully I'll go about that upgrade soon.

What manufacturer do they use for the woofers? Tweeter looks like a Vifa ring radiator, I think.

Yeah, the tweeters are Vifas. Not sure on the woofers though.

EDIT: I know they custom designed the woofers, but I don't know who actually makes them.

 

[grrl]

How about Boston Acoustics? I have an old pair of theirs that still sounds great. Their lineup has really changed and expanded since I bought mine, but I believe they are still considered a good deal for the money.

 

[dr150]

Congrats.

You got a lot of bang for your buck! Enjoy the fvck out of them!

Tells us how it goes with the sound.....

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: grrl
How about Boston Acoustics? I have an old pair of theirs that still sounds great. Their lineup has really changed and expanded since I bought mine, but I believe they are still considered a good deal for the money.

I think I'm set for several years now, but I'll check them out if I ever decide I can afford another upgrade

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: dr150
Congrats.

You got a lot of bang for your buck! Enjoy the fvck out of them!

Tells us how it goes with the sound.....

I'll let you guys know, and I'll take some pictures too

 

[dr150]

By the way, remember to add a good source to those speakers. Get a good CD/DVD/SACD/DVDA player like the Pioneer 588. Only $130 at vanns.com.

Or you can go go separates (i.e. CD player, DVD/DVD-A player).....more expensive though.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

college + high end HT components = dumb

no offesne, I'd love to have what you are geting/have, but I don't think it's someothing to do in college.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: dr150
By the way, remember to add a good source to those speakers. Get a good CD/DVD/SACD/DVDA player like the Pioneer 588. Only $130 at vanns.com.

Or you can go go separates (i.e. CD player, DVD/DVD-A player).....more expensive though.

I think it's going to be a little while before I can justify buying anything else, but I'll keep that in mind.

My current DVD player is very sh!tty indeed, so I'm going to get a new one eventually.

Thanks

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
college + high end HT components = dumb

no offesne, I'd love to have what you are geting/have, but I don't think it's someothing to do in college.

Are you saying that because of cost / distraction / damage / something else?

 

[sygyzy]

How do you like your HK receiver? Why did you choose it? I won't have to buy my HT for at least a few more months (when my roommate and I seperate) but I am pretty much decided on Ascends and a Hsu. I just need to get a receiver now. What is the ratio of receiver cost to speakers? Is there one? I was thinking about spending around $500-750?

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
college + high end HT components = dumb

no offesne, I'd love to have what you are geting/have, but I don't think it's someothing to do in college.

Are you saying that because of cost / distraction / damage / something else?

I think he is saying the money is better spent/invested elsewhere. I agree, I would love to have a setup like that, at the moment, but I think I would just buy a much less expensive set of components, that had good sound, for good value. Enjoy though! I wish I could visit.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
How do you like your HK receiver? Why did you choose it? I won't have to buy my HT for at least a few more months (when my roommate and I seperate) but I am pretty much decided on Ascends and a Hsu. I just need to get a receiver now. What is the ratio of receiver cost to speakers? Is there one? I was thinking about spending around $500-750?

I was looking for a $250-ish receiver about a year ago to pair with my Fluance speakers. I wanted to keep the budget low because I wasn't sure how "into this" I was going to get.

I was planning on getting an refurb onkyo, but several threads on refurb HK units caught my eye at AVSforum.

The seller harmanaudio sells factory refurbished units from Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity, Crown... there might be another brand, I'm not sure. They put on a new warranty and my receiver came without a scratch.

I got my HK AVR-325 for $360 shipped a year ago, which was a pretty good deal. I wasn't planning on spending as much initially, but it had a few features I thought I might use someday so I went for it. I like it a lot and haven't had any problems with it.

As I stated early in this thread, there are a lot of comments on how great HK and Ascend pair up together. Send Ascend an e-mail and they'll answer all your questions for you. I've sent about 25 e-mails to AV123 and about 10 to Ascend. All the responses were informative.

I think they offer special package pricing on HK units with Ascend speakers if you e-mail them for a price check. I'm sure that if you send an e-mail to them with your room size, listening habits, and features you want they will be able to recommend a good system for you and recommend a receiver that would be a good match.

I've read some great things about the HK AVR-635. If you can afford that one, it might be a good choice for you.
You probably don't want to spend more than half what you plan on spending on speakers though.