Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Calling Ajax and lomb7-Rocket 1k

I was originally going to get the M80s, QS8s and some other CC and I heard of the rockets.

I just heard Rocket 1000s with RSC200 center channel and Rs300s as surrounds in a HT setup and they sound wonderful. The build quality is exceptional. But the 5 speaker setup costs $3700 vs. $2200 for the axiom M80 setup. That is not a small difference and got me thinking. I have a tendency to get carried away and I sometimes have to step back and think again. You've seen people go into Sharper Image to kill time, sit in the massage chair and feel so good that they buy the massage chair only to regret the impulsive buy later? That's me.

So I am stepping back to reconsider. By the way, I did not like the 750s. But at the same time I have not heard the M80s. Any advice for me?

Ravi

Can't help you much, Ravi. I've never heard the M80s, although I suspect they sound a lot like my M60s. I doubt you'd be disappointed in the M80 package, if that price fits your budget better than the Rockets.

The consensus seems to be that the Rocket 550s and 850s are more forward than the 750s, and thus are closer to the Axiom line. However, I suspect the M80s would be a bit more forward than either of those speakers. I've not heard the RS1Ks, but having a powered woofer, they are a whole different animal.

If you lean toward the M80s, you could order a pair, and if you didn't care for the "Axiom sound," you can return them within the 30 day trial period. You would have to pay return shipping, but only on two speakers, and only to Buffalo, NY. It would probably be under $100, but that's only a guess. That would be well worth it to hear the speakers in YOUR room, and with YOUR equipment. If you liked the M80s, then you could go ahead and order a VP150 and the QS8s.

I already have an Axiom setup in the family room. M22s, VP150, Qs8s. So I know what Axioms sound like. I like them except for the VP150. I do not know if it is the positioning for the CC. I have it in a shelf space just below the TV. I have to pull it out and see. I have heard the M60s, but not the M80s.

Come to think of it, I dont know exactly what I am asking you guys; I guess I am hoping some one will convince me to go either way. I can put in the extra 1500 into the rockets if needed, but I am not sure if it is a good thing to do. I know, I know it is what I like better, but I am a novice and I trust you guys more than myself, I guess.

By the way, anyone with M80s in the Cincinnati area?

Ravi

I know you aren't gonna like this, but the truth is YOU gotta gather all the info you can, use YOUR best judgment, and make YOUR own decision. Because, in the end, only you can decide what is "best" for you. "Best" is a completely subjective decision.

However, I've said before that each has it's strengths and weaknesses, and that I could be happy with either as my only setup. And, though different, as a friend of mine says, "I'd hate to have to live on the difference."

Good luck, Ravi. You can do it!

Sounds like you want M80s, QS8s, and that big-ass Rocket center

Ravi, have you considered the 850's instead of the 1000's? From what I've read the 850's sound exactly like the 1000's without the powered subwoofer. And they cost 800 dollars less per pair.

I've heard the Rs1000s with the powered subs switched off, essentially the same as 850s. I liked the 1Ks better. The powered subs give a very tight bass. In fact the person had 2 SVS subs and they sounded very boomy compared to the subs on board the RS1Ks.

Could you have possibly liked the 1K's over the 850's because the added height of the 1K's changes the location of the tweeter in relation to your ears?

It's possible, but I especially liked the low end of the 1Ks, so I am not sure.

Ravi, even Mark Schifter will tell you that the powered speakers in the RS1ks are NOT subwoofers. They are powered woofers and, as such, are NOT meant to replace subwoofers.

Sorry, I misspoke. I knew that they are woofers, not subwoofers. I am planning to get additional sub anyway.

Ravi-
From the sound of it the $$ is not the major issue for you here. If you are going to keep the set up for years to come and you enjoy the sound it produces then you will not have the "Sharper Image" feel.

Saying that, both Ajax and I would not push you in any direction bacause we hear differently then you and we could be termed as a Shill.

You have heard both set ups. What do your ears tell you? I have not heard the M80 but from what I have read they are almost the same as the M60 just that they can play louder. Also, I have not heard the 1K as I have the 850's.

So, you have heard the M60 and the 1K. What would you be happiest with? That is the answer to your question. If you are only going off system cost then you have a chance of wondering "what if" and you may be disappointed. Troll the B stock while you are thinking about what you want. Also, call in, you may be able to get a unit before it comes up on the site.

As Ajax said, you can't go wrong with either of these systems but you have to make a decision that makes you happy and sounds great.

Ravi, you have PM.

I placed an order for Rocket RS1000s, RS200, Rs300s for surround. There is a three week wait and so there is still time to listen to the M80s. I'll keep you posted.

I already have an Axiom system and want to try a different one for the basement. I love my current Axiom setup and will not change it.

Well maybe I should go over to AV123 and explain the M80 experience???? I bet those folks would appreciate that.... Seems like pooping in your own bed to me. Sorry, I just think a little loyalty is in order.
I’m sure the Rockets are great but is this the right message board to discuss it?

End Rant

tleigh, I agree with you on this matter that is why I have tried to stay neutral on this hole thing. Ravi, you may want to take this to the Rocket forum, but, as tleigh has pointed out, if you should change your mind and go with the M80's, please let us all know why.

I hope that this has not pissed anyone off.

I don't see any problem discussing this on the Axiom board personally. You've been here for a while (longer than me I think) so you know there are a lot of "so, like, should I get Axioms or brand X ?" posts here. We have to discuss pros & cons and decisions to purchase something other than Axiom or IMO the board loses some of its value.

Having said that, doing an M80 spiel over on the AV123 board is always a Good Thing

For some more quality Rocket stuff http://forum.av123.com/showthread.php?s=b0a33e06bb2967c68e43844c9e26bdba&threadid=7428

I found this link very usefull in case I wanted to become a Rocket owner and I even book marked it for the future.

bridgman I think that there is a fine line here. I try to be fair and honest with any issue I get involved in. With audio it is hard because what I hear may not be what others may hear. So, I try to keep my mind open and pass on info that I have learned about over the short time I have been in this hobby. I would just hate to tell someone that Brand A is the very best only to have them hate it because they do not have a Brand B to compare Brand A to. So, I offer up thoughts and suggestions.

It is never my intent to crap in my own bed, messy thing.

Ok guy's I might be a little biased and sensitive here. I'm not saying I'm right. I do respect everyone's right to post informative information. So, I may have overstepped the fine line here. I should've steered clear from this one as it may have value to someone.

No worries. I can see your point.

Craig

Well, we'll just agree to disagree on this one. I sort of feel, the goal is to provide as much information as possible in order to help the poster end up with a system he/she is happy with. Perhaps I have it wrong. Perhaps the goal is to sell Axioms. If this is the case, then perhaps we ARE shills. Other brands are often discussed here, and we have several members who don't even own Axioms.

I'm offended by the "pooping in your own bed" analogy, and I don't appreciate anyone questioning my "loyalty" to Axiom, because I talk about other brands. I don't feel either Axioms or Rockets are perfect speakers. And characterizing the discussion of their strengths and weaknesses as disloyalty is a real stretch. Again, if we can't do that, then we DO become shills.

I have always been comfortable with recommending Axioms, and always will be. But, the reality is there are some people, in certain circumstances, for whom another brand would be would be a better fit.

And if you "go over to av123 and explain the M80 experience," the possibility exists that someone will react just like you, and tell you that it isn't "the right message board to discuss it." I will feel they are making a mistake as well.

Ravi posted about his Rocket purchase over at av123, and my reaction to that was "Alright Ravi! Congratulations!" Had he chosen the M80s, my reaction here would have been "Alright Ravi! Congratulations!" I don't give a hoot what he chooses. I only care that he makes the right decision for HIM! If that is contrary to the purpose of this board, then perhaps I'm in the wrong place.

Just my .02

Edit: Posted this before seeing your last post tleigh, but decided to let it stand to see what others think. I appreciate your reconsiderating your initial thoughts.

Your .02 is just that and it's fair. My opinion was just that an opinion that I felt I needed to get off of my chest. I'm offended at the whole post so I guess were even. I don't feel any different about what I said nor do I feel the need to justify my response. I feel that I made it fairly clear. However, I think a little tact on my part would've been a little classier.

To be honest, when your post title starts with "Calling Ajax and lomb7", it's probably better handled as a PM sent to each of those users.

I have great respect for folks on this board and I am a loyal Axiom owner. One of the beautiful things about the Axiom board is the genuine help offered. Remember, I got the suggestion to look at the Rocket Center channel speaker on this board in the first place. I never considered Rockets before that. I even told the guy who took my order at Rocket that. He asked me how I had heard of rockets and I said on Axiom board. He was shocked!

I feel it was appropriate to post on this board because
1. One of the systems in consideration is Axiom
2. I trust people's judgement here and I have always benefited from the advice here.
3. I do not know the people on the Rocket board and I would expect them to say rockets are the best anyway. That is information I cannot use.

Calling Ajax and lomb7 was because they are the only two people I know who own both Axioms and rockets. I will soon become another one with that privilege. I wanted everyone's input not just theirs.

Hope this clarifies. Again as I said before, I will always be a proud Axiom owner.

>> would just hate to tell someone that Brand A is the very best only to have them hate it because they do not have a Brand B to compare Brand A to. So, I offer up thoughts and suggestions.

Agree 100%. The nature of the audio business is that there isn't a simple "best" in most cases -- everything has pros & cons, and the trick is to match the pros & cons with the personal priorities of the purchaser.

One thing that lets the Axiom board be a bit more "open" is that the products are good enough to "often" be the best choice, which is pretty unusual in any business. I'm not saying we should ever be posting an "Axioms are crap, buy something else" message (unless they launch a real turkey ), just providing some context so a prospective purchaser can better understand the alternatives. You know there are only four outcomes anyways :

- they buy Axioms
- they buy something with a different sound they prefer (usually less accurate but they're happy)
- they spend more than Axioms cost and sometimes get something nicer
- they get WAF'ed and buy something not so good with nice veneer or really small mains

Thank you all for your feedback on this. I think that we have all learned some valuable information. I am not one of those that enjoys a pissing match (being in one or watching). Saying that, it is my feeling that 99$ of the people here agree with that (and Ajax's thoughts). I will leave it at that.

It is my feeling that this forum was created to share thoughts and knowledge. With that in mind, I would never want to censor my feelings. If that is the case then I will walk away. I agree that the subject of this thread may have been worded better as to include others in the conversation, but to only PM discusions would be a waist of everyones time here. We are all here to learn and I think, in the end, Ravi may come away with something he will value, being both an Axiom and a Rocket owner (like me).

I cherish all those that have taken their time to share with me and I have gained some amazing knowledge and some even more amazing friends.

I wish you all the best.

Ravi, you have PM

Well said.

I am a former Axiom owner (had an Axiom system for the trial period)and I shouldn't be viewed as a traitor because I returned them, opted for something else, and continue to visit this forum. Nobody has ever treated me as such, by the way.

The fact that there are people on this forum who own other speakers (whether they have both Axioms and Brand X or only Brand X) makes it a more informative place, in my opinion. Imagine if every time somebody posted an "Axiom vs. Brand X" thread all anybody could say was "I have never heard Brand X, but I do like my Axioms". Sure, that might be the case sometimes because there are so many brands out there. However, there have been (and will be)other times when somebody was able to respond and speak from first-hand experience regarding Brand X.

The way I see it, the fact that many members of this forum own different speaker brands (or used to own, etc.) allows the audience/poster/potential Axiom customer to receive more effective feedback. Diversity is a good thing, no?

Nice point you TRAITOR! lol just kidding wink wink and all that