Craig Chase
Gear Guru
In an effort to check out what is available in the VERY entry level home theater world, I ordered a Rocket Tykes 5.1 system. It sells for $399 normally on AV123.com and the usually have special on other gear allowing a full 5.1 set up, including receiver, DVD player, and the Tykes for around $700 - $800.
The system arrived yesterday. It comes in one box, and is a VERY simple hook-up. The satellite speakers are each about the size of a can of soda-pop, and the center channel is a bit larger, maybe the size of a 20 ounce bottle.
The speaker connectors are the push in "clip" types. No Banana Plugs here, but the are easy to put a bare 16 guage wire into.
The subwoofer hooks up as most do, an RCA plug in on the back, and the controls are there for Gain and Crossover frequency. It is a roughly 13 inch cube, with a 100 watt amp and a down-firing 8 inch driver. The fairly large, 3 inch port faces the room.
Build Quality is a lot better than expected for $399... The satellites are fairly heavy, and have the feel of a more expensive speaker. Specs can be found for the entire system on AV123's website.
First Thoughts - This is a very nice set up. I am using the Kenwood 7100 Receiver that AV123 is packaging with the Tykes, and a Pioneer 563-iA universal player.
I listened to two discs last night, the Steely Dan DVD/A: Two Against Nature and Randy Travis's Greatest Hits.
The first reaction was WOW ... these little guys kick out some good music ! The Tyke system has very good overall sound. Travis's voice comes through with authority, and the bass lines are tight, and pretty deep - my ears say to around 35-40 Hz in a LARGE room - 27x24 feet with vaulted ceilings and two openings to other rooms...
In other words, you can expect better response in a smaller room.
More on these little guys over the next few days...
The system arrived yesterday. It comes in one box, and is a VERY simple hook-up. The satellite speakers are each about the size of a can of soda-pop, and the center channel is a bit larger, maybe the size of a 20 ounce bottle.
The speaker connectors are the push in "clip" types. No Banana Plugs here, but the are easy to put a bare 16 guage wire into.
The subwoofer hooks up as most do, an RCA plug in on the back, and the controls are there for Gain and Crossover frequency. It is a roughly 13 inch cube, with a 100 watt amp and a down-firing 8 inch driver. The fairly large, 3 inch port faces the room.
Build Quality is a lot better than expected for $399... The satellites are fairly heavy, and have the feel of a more expensive speaker. Specs can be found for the entire system on AV123's website.
First Thoughts - This is a very nice set up. I am using the Kenwood 7100 Receiver that AV123 is packaging with the Tykes, and a Pioneer 563-iA universal player.
I listened to two discs last night, the Steely Dan DVD/A: Two Against Nature and Randy Travis's Greatest Hits.
The first reaction was WOW ... these little guys kick out some good music ! The Tyke system has very good overall sound. Travis's voice comes through with authority, and the bass lines are tight, and pretty deep - my ears say to around 35-40 Hz in a LARGE room - 27x24 feet with vaulted ceilings and two openings to other rooms...
In other words, you can expect better response in a smaller room.
More on these little guys over the next few days...