1st Impressions of ONIX Rocket 750 Sig.

2+2
2+2 Posts: 546
edited August 2005 in Speakers
Picked up a used set of Rocket 750 Sig. Ed. yesterday to replace my LSi7+Yamaha SW215 combo I am using in my study. Reason was simply based on the fact that I listen to this rig just as much, if not more than my LSi15 rig due to my work and my new son (Rig 1 has 5 baby CDs in the CD changer).

Quick impressions:
Build: Excellent and gorgious and well built. Much better than gen 1 LSis and bit better than gen 2 updated LSis. WAF is very very high on this speaker. (Except for the elevating optional base which was made in USA and has laquer peeling...poor wood choice too...getting some new parts to correct this).

Sound: As expected due to Vifa ring radiator tweeter, sounds similar to the LSi line but a bit LESS laid back than the 15s...much like the LSi7s which I think sounds more forward than the 15s. Did not do direct A/B comparison to the LSi 15s but much more bass than LSi 7....but significantly less than LSi 15....but MUCH tighter than the 15s or the 7s with the yamaha sub. Otherwise, sound is very similar....more similarities than differences compared to other speakers such as RTi, Energies, Bostons....

Initial impression is very good.

Don't know what peeps think about Rockets here but though I would throw it out for reference.
I wanted something between LSi 15 and LSi 9 with a bit more looks....the Rockets seem to fit the bill perfectly. I have had my 15s for about a year and am just now forming my complete opinion of them which I hope to articulate soon....so it will be a while before I form my complete opinion of the Rockets.

:D
System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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Comments

  • Schris22
    Schris22 Posts: 983
    edited August 2005
    I auditioned the same rockets and I thought the sound was very good as well, but didn't think the price was worth it. I went with Paradigm monitors because of price and quality. I thought the music came out well compared to the paradigms, but for movies the rockets weren't that much better...

    So got a good deal on the paradigms and next very close choice was B and W 602 S2...

    Chris
    Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR502-S
    DVD Player: Pioneer DV-578A-S
    Left and Right: R50
    Center: CS1
    Rear Center: R15
    Surrounds: R30
    Subwoofer: 10'' Dayton 100 Watt
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    The 750s are good, but there is a certain midbass peak associated with most of the Rocket line (incl. the 750) according to a Onix Reference owner (neighbor).

    Glad you like it though, that's the important part.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • unbridled_id
    unbridled_id Posts: 179
    edited August 2005
    This is one person opinion from audiogon.

    The speaker is an eye catcher that has a very 'different' sound. It has some clarity, but something is not right above ~ 500Hz. There is a noticeable and annoying dip in the soundfield as well as uncontrolled responses at high volume levels. Dialogue sounds like it is coming from behind the wall. When the gain is increased to meet acceptable amounts of clarity, the midbass drowns the listener out. Overpowering and distracting when attempting to enjoy a nonexistant upper sound spectrum.

    Response curves look like bad ski slopes from 500Hz to 20kHz.

    Most points taken off for poor level matching across the soundstage.
    The greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

    Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
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  • Terrax
    Terrax Posts: 483
    edited August 2005
    Hey,

    Wanted to add a few comments of my own here. I am now and have been for the past couple weeks, the very proud owner of what you see in my sig. And I have nothing but very positive opinions of the Onix products. The 550's I have are a remarkable speakers for the price at which they are being sold for atm. I have not had a chance to hear the 750's yet, but I can only imagne they would be better than the 550's, so I know I would be even more impressed.

    Grats to you on the 750's and hope you enjoy your Onix experience as much as I have been.

    BTW, It's been quiet a while since I've posted anything here, and wanted to say "hey" to the gang. And yes, I do still have my Polk gear, :p
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited August 2005
    unbridled_id wrote:
    This is one person opinion from audiogon.

    The speaker is an eye catcher that has a very 'different' sound. It has some clarity, but something is not right above ~ 500Hz. There is a noticeable and annoying dip in the soundfield as well as uncontrolled responses at high volume levels. Dialogue sounds like it is coming from behind the wall. When the gain is increased to meet acceptable amounts of clarity, the midbass drowns the listener out. Overpowering and distracting when attempting to enjoy a nonexistant upper sound spectrum.

    Response curves look like bad ski slopes from 500Hz to 20kHz.

    Most points taken off for poor level matching across the soundstage.

    Yup....I've seen that comment and IIRC, it relates to original version of the 750. The Signature Edition had reworked crossovers to bring a bit more gain to the higher frequencies....

    "The dialogue sounds like it is coming from behind the wall" is something I experenced MANY times with my LSi15s and my HK230 as pre-pro. This is more likely due the the person's poor match of components. (Tho this combo made some neutral and brightly mixed recordings buttery smooth and rich!) I can reproduce that sound in an instant with my LSi15s as well....its the Vifa..

    I attribute it to the overwarmth of the HK+LSi15 combo. This was corrected by Rotel 1068 and Kimber Tonik and Knukonceptz cables.

    Didnt get to listen at all last night cuz of work.
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited August 2005
    Zero wrote:
    Very interesting. I will be taking in a pair of 250 MK-2's at somepoint in the recent future. Will be comparing them to a plethora of other monitors within the same price point.

    Thanks for sharing your initial impressions of the 750's.

    Hey Sean...yes, please let us know of your impressions as well of ONIX's implementation of the Vifa....your impressions are always interesting cuz you play with so much gear... :D

    To tell you the truth...it was the 750s or your Totem Sttafs (I can never remember teh spelling).....just so happened that a used 750 came up in my local area and were cheaper.....
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    Terrax,

    I see you have the Ref1. I was considering that speaker up until I got the Logans. Very fine speaker with a very similar sound to the LSi9 but it does have it's own characteristics in contrast.

    Good transient bass, somewhat weighty vocals (yet not as weighty as the 9s), good midrange.

    Very nice bookshelf sonically and physically.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited August 2005
    Zero wrote:
    2+2,

    The Sttaf is a great speaker, and while it naturally sounds very good on a variety of entry level equipment, its insanely difficult to take it to the next level.

    Yeah...you told me that before which was another reason, albiet not a huge factor cuz I dont think the 750s are that easy to drive either.....makes me really appreciate your RTi100s sitting in my bedroom. I can run that think with anything and still sounds decent....
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • Terrax
    Terrax Posts: 483
    edited August 2005
    Joey_V wrote:
    Terrax,

    I see you have the Ref1. I was considering that speaker up until I got the Logans. Very fine speaker with a very similar sound to the LSi9 but it does have it's own characteristics in contrast.

    Good transient bass, somewhat weighty vocals (yet not as weighty as the 9s), good midrange.

    Very nice bookshelf sonically and physically.


    Yeah, the Ref 1's are awesome little speakers. The imaging is pretty amazing. Only wish I had the funds for the Ref 3's. /drool
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    Terrax wrote:
    Yeah, the Ref 1's are awesome little speakers. The imaging is pretty amazing. Only wish I had the funds for the Ref 3's. /drool

    Or the Ref4s or the Strata Grande.. ooh lala!!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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