Gordon Groff

I picked up on HornEd's innovation and stacked my Ultras too! Didn't invert them, so it's probably not as good as his solution, but it looks VERY cool, has no phase issues and I get all the bass I could ever want (never thought I would say that!) Some photos and "how to" here: http://www.sweetnancy.com/stackingultras.htm FWIW, Gordon

---------------- On 2/16/2004 9:20:03 AM HornEd wrote: Oh, yes, Gordon, I must second your choice of the K2 to fuel the stacked Ultras. The pro-sound system that I have installed for indoor and outdoor dances/concerts have pushed me further into the pro-amp ranks. I appreciated your detailed photos on how you brought up the bass for Sweet Nancy and you. ---------------- Thanks! In your abscence, I figgered this out all by myself (pat on back) I'm a firm believer in over-amping subs. The Samson S1000 that SVS recommended for my pair of Ultras just did not make it for me. I had experience with overamping my single Ultra before going with duallies and actually felt I LOST something compared to my single until I upgraded to the Crown K2. Unfortulately, Sweet Nancy is not quite as enamored with my Subs.... ("Turn those things down! They make my ears rattle! ") That Crown is a NICE amp. Gordon

FanTasTic, HornEd!! Thanks so much for posting. Really enjoy hearing from you even if I don't hang out in this forum as much as I used to. I stole one of your ideas and stacked a pair of SVS Ultra subs in my HT. Heres the photos: http://www.sweetnancy.com/stackingultras.htm Didn't invert one, but did co-locate 'em. A very cool solution for footprint and phase issues. Thanks for the idea! Anyway, Great to hear you're still kicking and that you've found LOVE. That's what makes the kicking worthwhile, someone to share it with. I don't know if your resort is open to the public, but it sounds like a slice of heaven and a place I would LOVE to take Sweet Nancy to someday. Best Wishes, Gordon

---------------- On 7/20/2003 8:28:29 AM JewishAMerPrince wrote: I think that there has been one very big point that almost everyone has missed. If we were to compare their current best, an RS750, with our current best, an RF7 it would take 10 times the power to get the same dynamics out of the Rockets as we can out of the RFs. Jerry Rappaport ---------------- Excellent point, Jerry! Big advantage to Klipsch on this factor. I too am a huge fan of amplifier headroom to open up a speaker's performance. This factor alone was my biggest stumbling block when I was deciding between Klipsch and Rocket. I'm running my RS750 mains with a Haffler 140w/ch (@8 ohm For the 6 ohm rockets, it's a bit more)power amp instead of my Denon 3803 (supposedly 110w/ch x7). I have no problems getting all the volume I could need or want and don't hear any straining, but I agree that that is not the whole picture. I would not mind running 200+ to them if I had it. Overamping brings out the best in a speaker and that's a lot easier to achieve with the Klipsch line than the Rockets. Someday, I would love to put a RF-7 series (perhaps the RF-75's) up in my room to hear them, but with no dealers nearby since Tweeters lost Klipsch, I can't really see a way to make a shootout like that happen. Gordon

---------------- On 7/18/2003 11:02:57 PM TheEAR wrote: Gordon, Ok you are one of the few non newbs. Damn dont you see I was being my sarcastic self.Damn have a sense of humor Soon Swan will be renamed Gorilla and feature four Tumult woofers per tower! ---------------- Hey, No Prob, Ear! Your recent post didn't bother me at all. I guess sometimes the cheap shots get under my skin a bit. You're 100% right about not losing my sense of humor!! Got too serious in my last post. My prior one (pointedly sarcastic) was more my style too. Gordon Just Visiting

---------------- On 7/18/2003 7:48:07 PM bruinsrme wrote: Gordon the things found on the different forum is laughable. It is all a matter of opinion. How is the set up? Did I read you made the pluge for the second ultra? Scott ---------------- Hi Scott! No problem. Psychoacoustics are an amazing thing. It is absolutely true that to someone who's ears are tuned to the Klipsch sound the Rockets will sound "dull". No fault. No error. The inverse is also true, which leads to some of the derogatory comments about Klipsch, which I feel are amazingly detailed and provide the best imaging that I have heard. I can understand the concern that Onix is capitalizing on this phenom like many "high-end" cable manufacturers. Ain't so, though. They are for real and the Rocket sound is great for HT IMO. I'm loving my setup. Have hosted a number of demos here with significant "wow" factor. My dual SVS Ultras have put me into the official "subwoofer overkill" catagory. Photos here: http://www.sweetnancy.com/hometheater.htm Peace! Gordon

Yeah! Those Rocket owners are all a bunch of easily-swayed, mostly deaf Newbies who fell prey to the clever internet marketing scam perpetrated by the folks at Onix who are piling up the money they are saving by not using dealers. Hahahaha!!! I hope y'all recognize how ridiculous this kind of "stuff" is and how it makes y'all look! Get a grip already. Gordon Recording Engineer Klipsch Lover Full 7 Channel Rocket HT Owner

There's another option out there that may be worth considering. Vinc is selling a DVD player for $200 that has DVI output - the Bravo D1. If your projector has a DVI input, you'll get a HTPC-class image w/o the HTPC! There are some threads about it over at AVS. Search for "Bravo D1" I recently went to that with my PLV-70 PJ and found out what all the HTPC folks have been crowing about. Incredible improvement in PQ. Yes. Do it one way or the other. IMO. Gordon

Built my own fairly simple shelf system for my HT components. Worked out pretty nicely. Picture about 2/3 down this page: http://www.sweetnancy.com/hometheater.htm Gordon

Hi y'all! Yeah, I'm the Klipschead wannabe that ended up with a Rocket setup for form fit reasons more than anything else. I really loved the "forward" Klipsch sound in auditions at Tweeters, but the RB-75 was not ready in time and I could not fit an RF-7 in my space, so I pulled the trigger on a full 7.1 system with Rockets and SVS Ultra sub. Pictures here: http://www.sweetnancy.com/hometheater.htm Anyway, I love the Rocket sound for my HT. They are truly wonderful speakers with a form and finish better than any I've seen anywhere. I've posted raves at some other forums, but if it comes up, I am careful to say that I have not had the chance to A/B them with my other favorite - Klipsch - in my room with my system. They are a very different sound, as others have indicated, but it works incredibly well with HT. 2 hours at the wife-banishing and dog-cowering levels that suit some flicks (like xXx or We Were Soldiers) are an incredible, immersive experience with no lingering afteraffects to my ears. As happy as I am with the Rockets, I can't help but wonder what a Klipsch system would sound like in my room. If I ever get a chance to A/B them properly, I will. Gordon Loves Rocket and Klipsch How conflicted is that?

Hey HornEd! It's GREAT to hear you're still pushing the dB's! I don't hang around here as much as I did since going a different direction for my HT sound, but I like to stop by and say "Hi" once and a while. So, "Hi" back at you! Gordon

Sounds like a great setup, Mr. Ear! All I really know is that we loved the Klipsch sound at Tweeters and I would LOVE to audition Klipsch in my own HT room 'cause that's really the only way I would know how they sound compared to my Rocket system. I'm not familiar at all with Dynaudio (or any other really good speaker options, for that matter). I just have the interest in the RB-75's because if they had been out 1 month earlier, I might have a Klipsch-based system instead of the Rocket system I've got now. I know that we LOVE the Rockets, but still would like to do a shootout with Klipsch to see what's what between the two. Probably never get that chance. Bugs me!! Gordon

---------------- On 5/2/2003 1:43:49 PM skonopa wrote: I thought you guys got the Onyx Rockets. Did the speakers arrive? I was just curious as to what you thought about them. ---------------- I like 'em ... a LOT! Some photos of them and my HT here: http://www.sweetnancy.com/hometheater.htm I would KILL to be able to throw up a pair of RB-75's to do a real comparison. As much as I've come to love the Rocket's, I often wonder what the Klipsch sound would be like in my HT, but it would be unfair to any retailer to pretend to buy them just to do a shootout. Besides, I don't know of ANY retailers for the RF line now that Tweeters is out. Gordon

Bump! I noticed an ad in Home Theater Builder mag that showed the RB-75's shown. I thought I'd swing by here and see if there's any buzz about them. Wassup??? Gordon

---------------- On 4/27/2003 6:43:55 AM bruinsrme wrote: I have decided to keep the klipsch for now and make some changes to the HT. The receiver and dvd player are not going anywhere but I am making some structual changes and someone mentioned cables. so any/all recommendations to help control the brightness are welcomed.(as long as they do not include dumping the receiver or dvd palyer.) thank you for your support. Scott ---------------- Cool stuff, Scott! I would love it if we could hear each other's systems and compare notes. We seem to be on a similar journey, with different routes. I can't keep up with you in the sub dept., though! Gordon Measly Single Ultra Owner

---------------- On 3/30/2003 9:44:07 PM kjohnsonhp wrote: I think the Onyx Ref series would be a good middle ground between the Rockets and RF7's with a more detailed high-end. Ref 2's in front, Ref 1's for rear and their Ref center...$4k/5.0 system. For HT the Rockets with dipoles seems to be preferred. Make sure you get the risers. Enjoy! I love having a HT. ---------------- I agree the ref series would probably be more to our taste, detail-wise. Downside is they lack the very cool good looks of the rockets are more $$, and I don't know if they are being sold anywhere (didn't find them on AV123 site when I looked). If was going to wait for a cube that was coming, I would have prob. waited for the Klipsch new bookshelf. I did get the risers and- I'm sure I'll enjoy my HT!! Thanks!

I have heard the Rockets and many other $3k/pr European speakers. For those who went to Tweeter and preferred the Viennas and Sonus Fabers to the RF7, I would highly recommend the Rockets. They have the looks and sound of the European speakers at more than half the price. You can audition the Klipsch speakers in your room for 30-days free of charge by buyig them from Tweeter, ultimate or any other dealer that has a 30-day no questions asked return policey. -KJ KJ, You hit the nail on the head. We preferred the Klipsch sound over the high-priced European models we auditioned at Tweeters. I expect the Rocket's to sound similar to them as you indicated. A couple major issues prevented me from going Klipsch. I could not fit the RF-7's in my space and was unwilling to go w/anything else. I would like to wait for the RB-75's but I don't want to put off my HT for another month, especially as I don't know how firm that date is or where in the world I'll be able to hear them. The 30 day trial from Tweeters sounds like a nice deal (hmm, wonder why they never mentioned that to me???), but Tweeters is losing Klipsch and as far as I can tell, there are no dealers of the Reference line near me. Gordon

Oh - One more thing - If there are any Klipsch monitors listening - I would be willing (happy, ecstatic, overjoyed) to do the above mentioned shootout in my HT if I could get my hands on a pair of beta test RB-75's. I would also do my best to do a detailed review on this shootout. I would conduct it as professionally as possible. Gordon

---------------- On 3/29/2003 9:45:02 PM minn_male42 wrote: i work at an electronics distributor in minneapolis.... i was questioning the sound of the rockets on the avs forum....he then emailed me direct and after several emails offerred me the 750's at a 25% discount for someone who is "in the industry"..... ---------------- Oh! That does not surprise me then. Those folks running AV123 (Rocket/Onix folks) seem gracious. I had private emails with the owners too, agonizing over our love of the Klipsch sound vs. the allure of the Rockets. At one point we were going to work out a deal for me to get a pair of 750's I could take to Tweeters and do a real shootout against the RF-7's with sound meters to calibrate volume and 4-5 blind auditioners, including at least one "golden ear" (a friend of mine who can say "hmm, seems a little hot in the 2.5K range" and stuff like that). I never followed through - too busy building my HT (drywall, wiring, etc). I even had the Tweeter's manager going along with it. Too late for that option now, especially as I HAD to eliminate RF-7's from my option list due to form factor, not to mention that Tweeters is losing it's Klipsch business right now. It's too bad the AVS Forum clamped down on speaker discussions. That's where I first learned about Klipsch and caused us to audition them at Tweeters in the first place this past Jan-Feb. Anyway, as you know, the Rocket folks are very active on the AVS Forum and always present a very gracious appearance. Of course, they have to! (as a strictly internet marketing company.) They don't have any B&M outlets, nor do they advertise in print. That is part of the reason the value of their product is so incredible. Did you see the cabinet and veneer work on their speakers??? Works of art! I still have MAJOR concerns that since their speakers are voiced more like conventional (albeit hi-end) speakers, they may not scratch our Klipsch itch. I also am worried that their VIFA ring radiator tweeter will be too sensitive to my placement constraints and room. Like I've stated before, since I could not fit RF-7's and was unwilling to wait for the RB-75's, and REALLY wanted to hear the Rockets, I decided to gamble the $265 (x2- Yikes!!!)shipping charges to hear them. That's how much allure they generated to me after reading all the raves generated by Rocket owners. So, well, at least I'll see for myself. Gordon

---------------- On 3/29/2003 9:05:02 PM minn_male42 wrote: i exchanged emails with the president of the rocket speaker company....he told me that if i liked the sound of klipsch, then i probably WOULD NOT like the sound of his rockets..... then he offered me a 25% discount....LOL....needless to say, i didn't take the offer ---------------- I believe the first part. This may be my experience as well. If so, y'all will be the first to hear! Don't expect anything soon- I won't get them till Thursday and I don't know how soon I'll be able to hook them up. 25% discount? Now I KNOW you're kidding!! Gordon

You guys are TOO MUCH!! LOL! I REALLY wanted the RF-7's. I did! Unfortunately, the screen had to be mounted to the right side of the room and the bottom half-wall is 4" thicker than the top, with a 6" shelf on it. I only have 7" max clearance from bottom of the wall to the image (5" actually due to shelf edge, unless I routed it away). To get the RF-7 in there, it would have to be 3"-4' in front of the screen to stay out of of the image. Would look awkward to say the least! I've got a good 11" on top of the half-wall, which would be great for the RB-75! If I'm not THRILLED with the Rocket system, it's going back within the 30 days, which will put me close to the RB-75 release. I couldn't wait. My bad. I don't mind the ribbing. I DESERVE it!! Gordon

---------------- On 3/29/2003 1:44:11 PM Scipio80 wrote: Especially if you don't like them and have to ship em back. Or do they handle return shipping, cause that would be pretty seet. ---------------- Nope. It's a $265 roll of the dice. Gordon

Thanks for the good wishes! I am quite concerned that the Rocket's "laid back" and "lush" might translate to "lack of detail" to our Klipsch-loving ears. I'll let you'all know what I think, but without both being able to do a direct comarison in my room, I don't know how meaningful it would be. Oh- Shipping is $265.00. A bit steep for an audition, I know Gordon

As you'll see in this post over at AVS, I just pulled the BIG TRIGGER and ordered an ENTIRE HT system! BOOM!! $10K - instant HT. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=242784>http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=242784 Unfortunatly, I was unable to go Klipsch at this time. I just wanted to drop a quick note over here to say "thanks", anyway. You all have been wonderful and I truly think Sweet Nancy and I are Klipscheads based on listening tests, but, Alas, we'll be Klipschless Klipscheads for who-knows-how long now. I was on the fence w/Klipsch up until the very last moment when I realized I could not wait till their new RB-75's became available. My wife and I both liked the Klipsch's detail sound of their RF-7's better than the high priced Sonus Faber and such. Only problem was I could not physically FIT the huge RF-7's in my HT setup. Since I have no way to actually hear them, the Onix Rockets won based on some great reviews, their form factor, and their beautiful good looks (great WAF!) Of course, I've got the 30 day return option D:) Gordon

---------------- On 3/29/2003 12:47:35 AM HornEd wrote: Gordon, great to hear from you and Sweet Nancy. Unfortunately, the sampler you sent me was sent from the adress I gave you to the hospital... and somewhere in the wonders of USPS, the disk was cracked. Fortunately, I have fairly good equipment so I heard and enjoyed most of it. Actually, I didn't have much hope when I plunked it in the machine... but by using progressive scan... most of the music came tripping out. Sweet Nancy really has a talent for pulling quality out of thin air... and substantial gray matter! Thanks for sharing... and I hope more free spirited piano heads will tap into Sweet Nancy's CD's. More later. =HornED ---------------- Shame about the broken disc! Glad you got some stuff off it. If you want another, no prob. I'm glad you're up and about again. Best wishes to you, Ed Gordon