Hey guys, AV123 is having a killer sale right now. I'm ready to pull the trigger on a pair of sig 850's and a big foot center. I'm new to audio and I have a couple concerns regarding my living room (15' x 13' x 8'). TV will be wall mounted, the front 3 speakers will be 18 to 24 inches of the wall. Is that far enough off the wall for the rockets? Other concern is the right front corner, I have a door opening so I really don't have a corner there. Do you think that will be a problem for the rear ported rockets? Should I be looking for a front ported or sealed design ?

I own 850s and the Bigfoot and they are absolutley awesome, and stunning to look at. Heck I think they're a steal even if you paid $2000 MSRP when compared to Store brands..Paradigm, B&W etc.

There are two ports on the back that are maybe 2 inches wide, From my DIY sub days I recall that you need at least the width of the port from any surface. This would mean two inches minimum of course. I have mine about 8". It's not like they move the air that a 15" sub does so Just give them a little room to breath and you'll be fine.
18-24" as in your case it's not even close to being a factor.

If you have any questions email their tech supprt, they will answer any question you have and reply back really fast, or call them, they're very knowledgeable, I usually spoke with Kyle. You'll probably read about some problems they've had in the past, but I think they're a great company to deal with.

You'll be fine as the earlier post says. HT is fine, music might have some issues. Dynamics vs Soundstaging (which the Rockets are great).

You'll be fine as the earlier post says. HT is fine, music might have some issues. Dynamics vs Soundstaging (which the Rockets are great).

Hey KY, just curious what you meant by "music may have issues". Are you just saying that optimal speaker placement for imaging may need to be a little further into the room than 18" to 24". Mine image great where they are and slightly toed in, but I have thought about expeimenting a little more with them, but man at 100lbs a speaker moving them around a lot with the spikes installed is a chore.

Hey guys, AV123 is having a killer sale right now.

They have a killer sale every other week...don't be fooled by that gimmick. They have been doing the same thing for years ;)

I like the 850s (I have owned 760s and 450s) so Im not knocking the speakers but AV123 is famous for this "killer sale" gimmick.

Thanks for the replies, and the heads up about the killer sale! I've also read people waiting 6 months for there speakers, anybody have that problem?

There are a host of stories about delays and other issues, esp. with the MFW sub. But the Rockets have continued to have strong QC and have been running on time in 2009 (had some delivery delays in 2008). FWIW, I ordered the same Rocket 850 / 200 front stage you are considering on a Wednesday and picked them up at my Yellow terminal the following Monday. I've always purchased AV123 items in stock, and have never had a problem. tip: you can save a pretty penny if you are able to just have them ship terminal to terminal and pick up the speakers yourself at the local Yellow terminal.

Thanks for the replies, and the heads up about the killer sale! I've also read people waiting 6 months for there speakers, anybody have that problem?

As long as you order in stock, you should be fine. If it's out of stock and needs to be built, ship to usa, and to you.....well, you know how that goes...anything can happen.
With that said, still have no regrets in buying my Rockets.

A lot of issues are well documented on threads throughout the net. You have to get through all the noise to understand the issues though.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53755

They often have killer sales as stated above, but who cares, if you order them, the first time you see how awesome they are you'll feel like you stole them for the money you paid.
Here's a head to head review.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931069

Yes they've had problems in the past, shipping delays some shady dealings, but they seem to have straighten it all out.

As long as the products are in stock I wouldn't hesitate for a second. The people who waited ordered when they weren't in stock and shipping and procuction delays can be a headache. These speakers are hand made and truly works of furniture grade art.

They often have killer sales as stated above, but who cares, if you order them, the first time you see how awesome they are you'll feel like you stole them the money you paid.
Here's a head to head review.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931069

Yes they've had problems in the past, shipping delays some shady dealings, but they seem to have straighten it all out.

As long as the products are in stock I wouldn't hesitate for a second. The people who waited ordered when they weren't in stock and shipping and procuction delays can be a headache. These speakers are hand made and truly works of furniture grade art.

The same can be said about Emotiva speakers, Salk Speakers, EMP speakers, Tweak City audio speakers, Ascend speakers........You are not the first to think they look awesome and sound awesome for their price.

Actually ownership of speakers has a funny way of convince us its the best thing since slice bread. btw, The same can be said about DIY stuff.

Thanks for the replies, and the heads up about the killer sale! I've also read people waiting 6 months for there speakers, anybody have that problem?

I ordered it couple of weeks back on 21st of September and mine shipped on 22nd of September . I love the rocket series speakers for both music and movies. I have only compared with Aperion 5 Series which went back.

Many thanks AVS community for the input and links provided on the matter. I am going to hold off on the Rockets for now. My plan was to audition 2 ID companies and send the loser back, Salk was the other company. I wanted to demo a pair of Song towers to put up against the Rockets. If I liked the Song towers better, I don't want any problems returning the Rockets. Jury still out, Emotiva, Swan, Aperion etc to go against the Song towers. Suggestions welcome, I want to keep the front 3 around 2500.00$ give or take a couple hundred.

From reviews I have read, the Salk wins but they also cost much more. If you are willing to pay more for better quality...by all means go for it. I doubt you'll be disappointed with Salks.

I know the Salk Song Towers are supposed to be very very good. Just be sure to pay close attention to the center as well, If you do a lot more movie watching than two channel music listening the center can really anchor or weaken a system. It really is the workhorse of a theater based system.
Of course using 3 identical speakers across the front is optimal but not always practical.

Im not sure how well the Salk center performs, hopefully as well as the towers.. it's just something to think about.

I know the Salk Song Towers are supposed to be very very good. Just be sure to pay close attention to the center as well, If you do a lot more movie watching than two channel music listening the center can really anchor or weaken a system. It really is the workhorse of a theater based system.
Of course using 3 identical speakers across the front is optimal but not always practical.

Im not sure how well the Salk center performs, hopefully as well as the towers.. it's just something to think about.

Mostly movie watching 80/20, movie /music. Occasionally I will have friends over and drive them a bit with music (all types of).. The only way I could get 3 matching across the front is bookshelf.. I have read the importance of the center for HT, and the center would be key in my set up, (there is only 1 sweet spot and most off center)..that being said I am clueless about the performance of the Salk center. Most of my attraction to the rockets is the price and what I've read about the Bigfoot center.. More or less I am taking a stab in the dark with 2 competitors.. I don't have any high end audio stores close to me...Otherwise I would go and demo what I could, but I am limited to magnolia best buy and on line ID companies..

I think you're going in the right direction by proactively auditioning speakers! It's great that you can listen to the Salk STs. And, as most people have said - they do offer sales all the time, so if you waited it shouldn't be a problem.

Regarding the delayed items - it's mostly been for out of stock items (The LS-9 being a big one). The Rockets (as pictured on their website) are already there, so you should be fine.

The Bigfoot center is a 50lb. beast and wont disapoint in the least, but as you stated you've already read enough t have gathered that. It has a wide, spacious, athoritive sound. It's very hard to beat at twice the price.

if you can hanle the Klipsch highs (I can't) , the RF series centers also have very very good center channel and mains. But for the same price at the moment the Rockets are in another league.

How do these compare to "The Speaker Company"? Best, Worse, Same? Movies 65%, Music 35%