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Upgrade my 5.1 system - Aperion system vs. Rockets

post #1 of 27
4/28/09 at 12:02pm
Thread Starter 
I want to get some opinions before I decide which system to trial.
I currently use AV123's Onix XLS (bookshelves) for L/R and surrounds and XCS for my center. I have already upgraded my sub to an SVS PC-12 NSD so that's taken care of for now.
I've had the Onix's for over 2 years now and they have served me well but I'm ready to move to bigger and badder.
I'm probably a 90% Blu-ray/DVD/HDTV and 10% music/SACD/DVD-A kind of guy. I don't really care for extreme bright speakers - more of a laid back and not in your face kind of sound. I want movies to sound the best they can be though.

So here's the breakdown of each system as I see it right now:
Aperion
2 6T's for L/R
1 5C for center
2 5DB's or 5B's for surrounds

Total price of $2200 or $2450 depending on my choice of surrounds

AV123 Rocket system

It's currently on sale for $1699 plus shipping. I would estimate that the total package price is around $2000 but I would have to call them to get an accurate shipping cost.
2 RS850's for L/R
1 Bigfoot for center
2 RS450's for surrounds

It appears that the Rocket system will be a little bit cheaper but their trial doesn't consist of free shipping to send them back if I don't want to keep them whereas Aperion's price includes that fallback.
Also, I really don't know if I want towers for surrounds. I already have my speaker wire plate up on the wall for wall mounting and it might look a little weird for wire to hang down from the wall plate to the back of the RS450's.
These thoughts pale though to ultimately how each system will sound. Anyone have any opinions on this comparison?

Also, the Rocket package is set on what you get. It's a package deal going on right now. The Aperion package I can tweak. Instead of 6T's, I could consider 5T's and then the prices are more even.

Any thoughts?
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post #2 of 27
4/28/09 at 6:24pm
Thread Starter 
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post #3 of 27
4/28/09 at 6:47pm
The Rocket package is damn near what they were charging for just the 850s not so long ago, and selling them to very happy buyers.
I've never heard any of the Rockets except the bigfoot center, I own one. It's an awesome sounding center channel. Dialog is clear as a bell and matches up with my Emotiva 8.3 towers pretty well.
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post #4 of 27
4/28/09 at 6:50pm
If those are your choices then go for the one with free return. I am personally in hte boat of going into a store and seeing, hearing, touching, etc. the products befor I buy. But that is me and if this is the route you intend to take go for free returns, whats the worst that happens, you don't like and send back and deal with that hasel. Then you order the other and if you don't like you return with payment nad deal with the hasel again. No big deal right!!
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post #5 of 27
4/28/09 at 6:57pm
The Rocket package sale will be over in a week, something to help you choose!
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post #6 of 27
4/28/09 at 7:39pm
Those rocket speakers are highly regarded. I have not heard the Aperion towers, but I have heard their 6B and 4B bookshelf speakers. I thought they were pretty good speakers, but they did not blow me away. That said Aperion's customer service and satisfaction guarantee are a pretty big factor as well. Axiom has had some problems as of late so that may factor into your decision. But.. I would tend to think the Rocket is a superior speaker.
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post #7 of 27
4/28/09 at 9:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

So here's the breakdown of each system as I see it right now:
Aperion
2 6T's for L/R
1 5C for center
2 5DB's or 5B's for surrounds

The Aperion package I can tweak. Instead of 6T's, I could consider 5T's and then the prices are more even.

Any thoughts?

My Aperions are arriving on May05 to go with SC-07. 2x5T, 2x5B and 1x5C. Plus I just added Apersion 8D Woofer too. So probably I can let you know my thoughts on it, on May06/07.
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post #8 of 27
4/29/09 at 6:16am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the thoughts guys. floridapoolboy brings up a good point in that the Rockets sale is only for a week so there certainly wouldn't be enough time to audition the Aperions first and get the Rockets if I don't like them. The sale would be over by then. Another sale may be in place, who knows?
icemanu - please post your thoughts when you get them. As you may know, I have the same receiver so I am interested in your reaction.
My gut feeling is that the Rockets are a better speaker overall but with questions about the customer service there along with shipping cost back to them if I don't like them make me lean towards the Aperions.
I did some more research last night and now I'm considering the PSB imagine series. Any thoughts/suggestions about those?
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post #9 of 27
4/29/09 at 6:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

Thanks for the thoughts guys. floridapoolboy brings up a good point in that the Rockets sale is only for a week so there certainly wouldn't be enough time to audition the Aperions first and get the Rockets if I don't like them. The sale would be over by then. Another sale may be in place, who knows?
icemanu - please post your thoughts when you get them. As you may know, I have the same receiver so I am interested in your reaction.
My gut feeling is that the Rockets are a better speaker overall but with questions about the customer service there along with shipping cost back to them if I don't like them make me lean towards the Aperions.
I did some more research last night and now I'm considering the PSB imagine series. Any thoughts/suggestions about those?

Something else to consider with the Rocket package. If your not really wanting the 450's for surrounds you could always substitute those out and use the ELT525m's for the surrounds. While not a perfect match you would be hard pressed to tell the difference and the 525's really are a very nice bookshelf. Talk to Jess over at AV123 regarding this. You'll also save a little money as well while being able to have a very nice sounding bookshelf that can be wall mountable. Good luck with your decision.
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post #10 of 27
4/29/09 at 7:08am
Have you considered SVS or Emotiva? Both offer free shipping (at least one way, not sure about both) and have complete systems in the same price range and don't use towers for the rears. Plus with SVS, you could get a sub included as well.
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post #11 of 27
4/29/09 at 10:28am
Where on the AV123 site do they have the Rocket system sale?
I could not find it on their site.
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post #12 of 27
4/29/09 at 10:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tacoboy View Post

Where on the AV123 site do they have the Rocket system sale?
I could not find it on their site.

homepage --> Speakers --> Rocket --> "Rocket Sale"

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger soon myself.

Good luck.
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post #13 of 27
4/29/09 at 12:45pm
I could be wrong, but with the issues they are having, I'm guessing that Rocket 'sale' will be extended.. or, brought back again soon. Seems like every time I turn around, those speakers are selling for less and less. That's not an indictment on their quality.. just on their situation and the general economy.

Personally, I'd try the Aperions first.. it's a zero risk proposition.
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post #14 of 27
4/29/09 at 2:38pm
I have a 7 speaker Aperion setup. 2 6T towers and 6C center across the front. Soon to have another 6T for center on friday. You can drive the 6Ts loud and they sound excellent. Clarity and not fatiguing to listen to them. Excellent for HT & music IMO
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post #15 of 27
4/30/09 at 4:59pm
MaestroJ--- Go have yourself a listen to the PSB speakers if they can be found in your area. While you're at it and you are in the store have a listen to some of the other speakers they have around. Then if there is another store in your area go have a listen to some of thier speakers in their rooms. Give you a good idea of what is around and how different things can sound.
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post #16 of 27
4/30/09 at 6:50pm
i listen to the psb imagine series a couple of days ago and they sounded fantastic. especially with vocals, dam right impressive. I fully recommend them. Now, my dealer at dmc electronics has them at 40% off. I also think the rockets are excellent too so it a toss up. I haven't heard aperions so i can't comment on them.
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post #17 of 27
4/30/09 at 7:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kpoon View Post

homepage --> Speakers --> Rocket --> "Rocket Sale"

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger soon myself.

Good luck.

Found it,
It would help if they had a picture of the complete 5.1, next to "Rocket Sale" instead of just the 850s
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post #18 of 27
5/6/09 at 10:50am
Thread Starter 
Okay after further research, I've went and made this more difficult on myself. Now I'm leaning towards these: http://emotiva.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=48
Any reason why I should look at anything else? Would these work great for primarily Blu-ray/movies/HDTV use?
All this research is giving me a headache, day in and day out.
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post #19 of 27
5/6/09 at 10:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

Okay after further research, I've went and made this more difficult on myself. Now I'm leaning towards these: http://emotiva.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=48
Any reason why I should look at anything else? Would these work great for primarily Blu-ray/movies/HDTV use?
All this research is giving me a headache, day in and day out.

I don't think you can go wrong with that setup. But keep in mind that those are 4ohm speakers. Make sure you receiver can handle 4 ohm speaker.
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post #20 of 27
5/6/09 at 11:16am
Thread Starter 
Pioneer SC-07...I have read that others using this particular receiver have had no issues w/ 4 ohm.
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post #21 of 27
5/6/09 at 11:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

Pioneer SC-07...I have read that others using this particular receiver have had no issues w/ 4 ohm.

Then you should be fine. After speaking to Emotiva directly I do know that their speakers run a very continuous 4 ohms, so I would suspect that even most receivers that are not rated for 4ohm speakers would be fine. I have been very impressed with Emotiva as a company. Their tech I spoke to was very knowledgeable and honest.
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post #22 of 27
5/6/09 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

Okay after further research, I've went and made this more difficult on myself. Now I'm leaning towards these: http://emotiva.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=48
Any reason why I should look at anything else? Would these work great for primarily Blu-ray/movies/HDTV use?
All this research is giving me a headache, day in and day out.

I have that very same package minus the center channel. I use a AV123 bigfoot rocket center. I'm very happy with the ERT 8.3s. I use them for music most of the day. After my friends first heard them, I told them I paid $3900 for them. They never doubted that.
Until I told them how much I really paid for them. Then there were some doubts.
Go figure!

For HT and gaming etc, I'd go with this package. If 2 channel music is important, go with the ERTs up front. Factor in the cost of speaker stands and you may end up better off with the ERTs in front. That is why I went with the towers.
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post #23 of 27
5/6/09 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
Knucklehead...

The package you referenced has 6.3's for L/R, correct? What differences would I expect to hear if I went with the package that has 8.3's for L/R? Also, any reason I should look into an 8.3 for the center since I will primarily use them for movies?
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post #24 of 27
5/6/09 at 1:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maestro J View Post

Knucklehead...

The package you referenced has 6.3's for L/R, correct? What differences would I expect to hear if I went with the package that has 8.3's for L/R? Also, any reason I should look into an 8.3 for the center since I will primarily use them for movies?

Yes, the front 3 are all 6.3s. Going with that package will save you money unless you buy expensive stands for the L and R speakers.

You'll need a lot of room to use an 8.3 for a center. From all accounts the 6.3 is as much center channel as you will ever need. As I said, three 6.3s are more than enough for HT use. If you don't listen to a lot of music, the speaker package 2 should be plenty.

You may want to read the speaker reviews on the Emotiva Lounge. Lots of good advice there, along with impressions from users of all the speakers Emotiva markets. Join the Lounge and post any questions you might have. You'll get many more responses there about Emotiva speakers than you will here.
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post #25 of 27
5/6/09 at 4:32pm
Do yourself a huge favor OP and go do some leg work and listen for yourself to as many speakers as you can. Recommendations and reviews a a small part of the battle. Eventually you really need to just go out and start listening to different brands to see what you like or don't like. The worst thing that happens is you spend some time listening to some nice or not so nice procucts! You may even fall in love with some of them. But please do yourself the favor and go listen for yourself!!!!
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post #26 of 27
5/6/09 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbare View Post

Do yourself a huge favor OP and go do some leg work and listen for yourself to as many speakers as you can. Recommendations and reviews a a small part of the battle. Eventually you really need to just go out and start listening to different brands to see what you like or don't like. The worst thing that happens is you spend some time listening to some nice or not so nice procucts! You may even fall in love with some of them. But please do yourself the favor and go listen for yourself!!!!

+1. That is one reason I mentioned Aperion speakers. Listen in your own room and if you do not like them, send them back....no cost to you.
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post #27 of 27
5/7/09 at 9:19pm
(Big booming voice coming from everywhere)-"EMOTIVA!"

Seriously though, The Emotiva's are fantastic speakers with a more "laid back" sound which would be right up your alley from your original post. Emotiva as a company is one of the best I've ever had dealings with, bar none. You wouldn't be disappointed.
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