Rockport Technologies Introduces Orion Loudspeaker

[Vinylshadow]

Orion is amazing and 90% of us would be extremely pleased with its performance , especially in average to smaller rooms,
but Lyra is just different animal.
The quietness of the cabinet is much better in Lyra so less coloration and much more quiteness.
There is no speaker I ever heard that is that "clean" performing. You simply hear cabinet coloration in every other speaker.
Also Lyra will work in a bigger rooms better.

But again. Whatever you pick you will be super happy.

According to Magico, you don't get cabinet coloration in their new S5 2024. But the concern is the sound is still too clean and sterile. Magico uses aluminum cabinetry, without the additional damping that Rockport uses.

 

[JiminGa]

It’s not just dampening that’s different. Magico uses lots of elaborate braces. Rockport does not have a single brace or screw. Only 3 cabinet parts (Orion).

 

[GSOphile]

Looking at the 3D drawing projection of the Magico S5 2024 on their website, you will see the application of what looks like internal dampening material.

 

[JiminGa]

Of course all cabinets need some kind of dampening. Rockport just uses between layers instead of needing braces or fasteners

 

[GSOphile]

If I'm not mistaken, Rockport uses damping material between layers on the top-of-the line Lyra only.

 

[Vinylshadow]

If I'm not mistaken, Rockport uses damping material between layers on the top-of-the line Lyra only.

Orion does. From Rockport's website:"After precise registration and sealing of the outer carbon fiber components to the aluminum housing, the cavity between the aluminum housing and carbon fiber outer shell is completely filled with over 115 pounds of our proprietary, high hysteresis, high mass, structural damping compound. Once cured, this damping core intimately bonds the aluminum housing and carbon fiber shell together, consolidating it into a single, massively stiff, highly damped structure."

 

[Reference Analog]

If I'm not mistaken, Rockport uses damping material between layers on the top-of-the line Lyra only.

The Lyra, Orion, and Lynx all use forms of the Damstif. Lyra is cast outer - poxy compound - cast inner. Orion is Vacuum shaped Carbon fiber outer shell - poxy compound - Cast inner. The new Lynx is Cast outer with compound applied to the inside. From there it goes to Avior with its constrained layer wood with 6” thick front baffle etc followed by a similar design for Atria.

 

[GSOphile]

Orion does. From Rockport's website:"After precise registration and sealing of the outer carbon fiber components to the aluminum housing, the cavity between the aluminum housing and carbon fiber outer shell is completely filled with over 115 pounds of our proprietary, high hysteresis, high mass, structural damping compound. Once cured, this damping core intimately bonds the aluminum housing and carbon fiber shell together, consolidating it into a single, massively stiff, highly damped structure."

You're right. It is the similarly priced Lynx that is more like the S5 2024.

 

[Reference Analog]

You're right. It is the similarly priced Lynx that is more like the S5 2024.

The new Lynx cabinet is only 2 parts. The entire outer is cast then they apply their compound to the inside of the casting. If you look at the S5 2024 each side is a separate panel, every bracing piece is bolted together. I am not saying it’s not a nice speaker, just very different from the Rockport approach. We carry YG and Rockport at the store and they are very different from one another, so is magico though.

 

[Vinylshadow]

The Lyra, Orion, and Lynx all use forms of the Damstif. Lyra is cast outer - poxy compound - cast inner. Orion is Vacuum shaped Carbon fiber outer shell - poxy compound - Cast inner. The new Lynx is Cast outer with compound applied to the inside. From there it goes to Avior with its constrained layer wood with 6” thick front baffle etc followed by a similar design for Atria.

I just watched a really enjoyable, informative recent interview from HiFiBuys with Josh and Jon. They went over every detail of all speakers. One thing I remember is that the outer epoxy compound allows them to perfectly shape the cabinet form for the least sound wave reflections i believe it was. I'm leaning towards getting Orion's provided they will work in my room.

 

[JiminGa]

Just watch the video on the Orion construction which can easily be found in multiple places including Rockports website.

 

[Reference Analog]

I just watched a really enjoyable, informative recent interview from HiFiBuys with Josh and Jon. They went over every detail of all speakers. One thing I remember is that the outer epoxy compound allows them to perfectly shape the cabinet form for the least sound wave reflections i believe it was. I'm leaning towards getting Orion's provided they will work in my room.

Yeah, they did a great job with that interview. Jon and Josh do a great job explaining some of their approaches without getting too techy for the general crowd

 

[Reference Analog]

Just watch the video on the Orion construction which can easily be found in multiple places including Rockports website.

Yeah, that video on the Orion page is a perfect visualization of what they are doing.

 

[Reference Analog]

I just watched a really enjoyable, informative recent interview from HiFiBuys with Josh and Jon. They went over every detail of all speakers. One thing I remember is that the outer epoxy compound allows them to perfectly shape the cabinet form for the least sound wave reflections i believe it was. I'm leaning towards getting Orion's provided they will work in my room.

With your room restrictions of only having 12ft from the listener to the front wall I would honestly really take a hard look at the Lynx when they start shipping. We should have both the Lynx and Orions by the end of the year. Not sure where you are located but would be welcome to come hear them if you aren’t near another dealer who may have them for you to hear. From everything I have been told by the Rockport guys the Lynx should be a stunner, and should work in the tighter dimension requirements a lot of people have.

 

[Vinylshadow]

With your room restrictions of only having 12ft from the listener to the front wall I would honestly really take a hard look at the Lynx when they start shipping. We should have both the Lynx and Orions by the end of the year. Not sure where you are located but would be welcome to come hear them if you aren’t near another dealer who may have them for you to hear. From everything I have been told by the Rockport guys the Lynx should be a stunner, and should work in the tighter dimension requirements a lot of people have.

I'm in S. Fl....No Rockport dealer here yet. Supposedly by end of year but they'll need training I think.....Interesting about the Lynx. I'll be curious for sure.... The depth & width of the Lynx is only 3" less than the Orion. While it might eventually be, the Orion's have not yet been ruled out. ....I appreciate that you remember my room discussions. My room is a funky one. Large volume room with 24 ft cathedral ceiling but the issue seems to be the proximity of the right Orion to the right back wall. The wall juts out from the kitchen..The rear of the left speaker will have more freedom....The Orion would be angled to the wall due to toe in so the rear port will have maybe 8" space diagonally angled to the wall. Not perpendicular. The Lynx would be the same.
The tweeter/woofer would be 8 feet away from the listening position which Josh told me 7' is the minimum. 8' should work "very well" he said.. However the distance of listener to speaker/tweeter to tweeter. might only be 1 to 1 or 1.1 to 1..... Josh and Jon have seen room pictures and Jon asked me for more pictures of the right rear wall so we shall see what is possible. Thank you.

 

[Reference Analog]

I'm in S. Fl....No Rockport dealer here yet. Supposedly by end of year but they'll need training I think.....Interesting about the Lynx. I'll be curious for sure.... The depth & width of the Lynx is only 3" less than the Orion. While it might eventually be, the Orion's have not yet been ruled out. ....I appreciate that you remember my room discussions. My room is a funky one. Large volume room with 24 ft cathedral ceiling but the issue seems to be the proximity of the right Orion to the right back wall. The wall juts out from the kitchen..The rear of the left speaker will have more freedom....The Orion would be angled to the wall due to toe in so the rear port will have maybe 8" space diagonally angled to the wall. Not perpendicular. The Lynx would be the same.
The tweeter/woofer would be 8 feet away from the listening position which Josh told me 7' is the minimum. 8' should work "very well" he said.. However the distance of listener to speaker/tweeter to tweeter. might only be 1 to 1 or 1.1 to 1..... Josh and Jon have seen room pictures and Jon asked me for more pictures of the right rear wall so we shall see what is possible. Thank you.

I personally like a 1:1 ratio. I have actually done quite a bit of rockport business in Florida over the years. My love of espresso was started due to a rockport customer of mine in Boca. He gave me my first truly nice cup of coffee while I was there installing his speakers. It pretty much rocked my world haha. I think the next year was spent with him talking me through my coffee purchases

 

[Vinylshadow]

I personally like a 1:1 ratio. I have actually done quite a bit of rockport business in Florida over the years. My love of espresso was started due to a rockport customer of mine in Boca. He gave me my first truly nice cup of coffee while I was there installing his speakers. It pretty much rocked my world haha. I think the next year was spent with him talking me through my coffee purchases

That is good to hear. Both the 1:1 ratio and Boca.

I just watched some Lynx YT videos. Interesting. One solid, heavy piece of Aluminum. It sounded very good in the Audiophile Junkie video but I'm curious to hear more of it and the bass. I have a sub but still love the idea of a 13" bass driver!

Let's see what Jon has to say and how things drop. Thx.

 

[Reference Analog]

That is good to hear. Both the 1:1 ratio and Boca.

I just watched some Lynx YT videos. Interesting. One solid, heavy piece of Aluminum. It sounded very good in the Audiophile Junkie video but I'm curious to hear more of it and the bass. I have a sub but still love the idea of a 13" bass driver!

Let's see what Jon has to say and how things drop. Thx.

Well the offer stands, If you want to fly in to hear the Lynx and Orions when we get them in you are welcome to. We are in Oklahoma.

 

[Vinylshadow]

Well the offer stands, If you want to fly in to hear the Lynx and Orions when we get them in you are welcome to. We are in Oklahoma.

Thank you!

 

[Alpha121]

I just watched a really enjoyable, informative recent interview from HiFiBuys with Josh and Jon. They went over every detail of all speakers. One thing I remember is that the outer epoxy compound allows them to perfectly shape the cabinet form for the least sound wave reflections i believe it was. I'm leaning towards getting Orion's provided they will work in my room.

Great video!