New Speakers on budget - Blu-ray Forum

Bigblue622 · 10-21-2009, 01:43 PM

Well I decided last night I would like to buy a new L/C/R combination and I'm not sure what I want. I'm looking real hard at the Energy C-300 and Energy CC50 combo from audioadvisor.com. I know the center is a little small, however anything would be better than my current center

I also saw on newegg I can get the Polk Monitor 60's and CS2 center for under $400. I know polk is a great budget friendly speaker, but I just can't make up my mind.

Any info is appreciated as well as other suggestions. I would like to stay under $400.00 for the combo if possible.

Thanks

curse · 10-21-2009, 02:12 PM

those energies are probably your best bet. you can get two c 500s, a pair of c 50 bookshelfs,cc50 center. all for around 500. leaves alot of room to get a nice sub or use the c 300 towers for surround.

callas01 · 10-21-2009, 02:36 PM

The C-C50 center channel will match very well to the C-300s, There is a thread for Energy owners and it has on the first post all the owners and the speakers they have paired together in case you want to PM them to ask how they like the speakers matched up.

In comparison, I can say that hearing both, here is what I have noticed. The Energys will be a warmer more laidback speaker. Mid-range will be smoother and more detailed and have a fuller sound. Highs will be more accurate. Lows will be about the same, focusing more on Mid-bass rather then Low End thumping. The Polks will have a brighter sound. That will make them sound 'louder', but also give them a tinny sound. The one weak spot that I think the Polks have is music. Not that it will sound terrrible, but side by side, not as accurate. Music will be much more accurate on the Energys, and here is the test, play a fast paced piano on both sets and you will see where the Polks cannot produce the sounds as accurately or as detailed. Lets say you only listen to rock/grunge/alternative, both will be similar in SQ playing that genre of music, but with a Piano, acoustic guitar or a female vocalist, you will start to see the more defined musicallity of the Energys. To me this is the litmus test for speakers. Speakers that do this well or very well also make for awesome HT speakers.

That said both are excellent ways to being a HT setup. Both of these speaker lines have been discontinued, so I wouldn't wait to long to jump on the speakers. Also, please note that I am not putting down polks, I think they make very good speakers.

If you have the chance to audition them, please do so, otherwise, I can say that both are easily very good blind buys. I wouldn't say that about too many speakers.

Let us know what you decide.

Bigblue622 · 10-21-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callas01

The C-C50 center channel will match very well to the C-300s, There is a thread for Energy owners and it has on the first post all the owners and the speakers they have paired together in case you want to PM them to ask how they like the speakers matched up.

In comparison, I can say that hearing both, here is what I have noticed. The Energys will be a warmer more laidback speaker. Mid-range will be smoother and more detailed and have a fuller sound. Highs will be more accurate. Lows will be about the same, focusing more on Mid-bass rather then Low End thumping. The Polks will have a brighter sound. That will make them sound 'louder', but also give them a tinny sound. The one weak spot that I think the Polks have is music. Not that it will sound terrrible, but side by side, not as accurate. Music will be much more accurate on the Energys, and here is the test, play a fast paced piano on both sets and you will see where the Polks cannot produce the sounds as accurately or as detailed. Lets say you only listen to rock/grunge/alternative, both will be similar in SQ playing that genre of music, but with a Piano, acoustic guitar or a female vocalist, you will start to see the more defined musicallity of the Energys. To me this is the litmus test for speakers. Speakers that do this well or very well also make for awesome HT speakers.

That said both are excellent ways to being a HT setup. Both of these speaker lines have been discontinued, so I wouldn't wait to long to jump on the speakers. Also, please note that I am not putting down polks, I think they make very good speakers.

If you have the chance to audition them, please do so, otherwise, I can say that both are easily very good blind buys. I wouldn't say that about too many speakers.

Let us know what you decide.

Do you think the C-500's would be worth the extra cost compared to the 300's? Also, would the C-C50 still match the larger fronts? I can't audition either set unfortunately, but since they aren't super expensive I'm ok with that.

Anyone order from audioadvisor? How are they? Also any other places to order energy speakers from?

Bigblue622 · 10-21-2009, 06:12 PM

Just saw newegg has the Monitor 60's in black and CS2 center with promo codes for a total of $335.97 shipped to the door. The energy speakers from Audioadvisor would be over $400 once shipped.

I may jump on this deal today...

Fors* · 10-21-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigblue622

Just saw newegg has the Monitor 60's in black and CS2 center with promo codes for a total of $335.97 shipped to the door. The energy speakers from Audioadvisor would be over $400 once shipped.

I may jump on this deal today...

That is the lowest both of those speakers have ever been....they have stopped manufacturing them and the stock has to be getting pretty low, so you may want to jump on that price point sooner than later. By the way, what callas said in his earlier post was pretty much spot on in measuring the AQ between the Energy's and Polks.

Good luck!

Bigblue622 · 10-21-2009, 06:36 PM

I just made the order for the 60's and CS2, I knew either would be a jump up from my current Sony's. I just couldn't pass up that price. I'm sure I will be pleased, now I just need to convince the girlfriend to allow the SSF-5000's to be the new surrounds

I will update the thread and gallery asap.

Thanks guys

rded · 10-21-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigblue622

I just made the order for the 60's and CS2, I knew either would be a jump up from my current Sony's. I just couldn't pass up that price. I'm sure I will be pleased, now I just need to convince the girlfriend to allow the SSF-5000's to be the new surrounds

I will update the thread and gallery asap.

Thanks guys

Congrats Bigblue622! I am really happy with the recent speaker and equipment decisions/purchases by a lot of the members in this site. I believe we are finally growing in the right direction.

kingofgrills · 10-21-2009, 06:51 PM

Um, guys, have you seen these yet? They're speakers from The Speaker Company, and they are getting a strong rep as a bang-for-the-buck speaker value.

TSC's TST1 towers are on sale for just $270 with free shipping. You can audition them in home for 30 days and if not satisified return them. You can also pick up a matching center channel, the TC2, for $99.97. That leaves you $30 for a couple of Blu-rays.

Here's the full review from Audioholics. Read the full review before heading to the speaker links:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...-build-quality

TST1 Tower $270:

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TST...air-P72C8.aspx

TS2 Center:
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TC2...er-P47C13.aspx

If anyone is on a budget, I would highly recommend giving these guys a shot. Audioholics tends to have a good review section, with actual measurements, so that says a bit to me.

Bigblue622 · 10-21-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

Congrats Bigblue622! I am really happy with the recent speaker and equipment decisions/purchases by a lot of the members in this site. I believe we are finally growing in the right direction.

Thanks, it's an expensive hobby that's for sure. Especially for us College kids

.
I hate to think what I've spent on HT in the last 2 years, but it's been a great experience and I have learned so much, and owe most of it to all the various forum members on all sites who have helped.

rded · 10-21-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigblue622

Thanks, it's an expensive hobby that's for sure. Especially for us College kids

.
I hate to think what I've spent on HT in the last 2 years, but it's been a great experience and I have learned so much, and owe most of it to all the various forum members on all sites who have helped.

Ya know....its money well spent, rather than splurging on booze, drugs, senseless stuff and women

Johnny Vinyl · 10-21-2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

Ya know....its money well spent, rather than splurging on booze, drugs, senseless stuff and women

I guess I'm pretty much screwed for upgrades then! Damn!

John

callas01 · 10-21-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigblue622

Thanks, it's an expensive hobby that's for sure. Especially for us College kids

.
I hate to think what I've spent on HT in the last 2 years, but it's been a great experience and I have learned so much, and owe most of it to all the various forum members on all sites who have helped.

Congrats.

Just to answer your question the C-500s would give you a little better seperation of the upper mids and lower mids. Is it worth it, that is up to your ears... I would say if it were me and the speakers had been $199 when I was shopping, I would have got them.

Well what you are doing is exactly what I went through too, HTiB to the Sony SS-F5000s and then to the Energys. All in about 22 months. Now that I have the Energys it is hard to find speakers that I would trade them for(Dali's come to mind... most of you know how I feel about those now

).

I really never was that into music until I bought my Energys, mostly alternative, but now I am looking for Classical Symphonies and Concertos to listen to, Tori Amos, John Mayer, all stuff I used to think only guys who like other guys listened too. I still like popping on Tool or Foo Fighters or Incubis, but I also enjoy the way my speakers can hold a violinist note and the rolling of a Chopin piano concerto... $hit I am either getting old or I just love my speakers soooooooo much.... I think its the speakers.

Bigblue622 · 10-21-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

Ya know....its money well spent, rather than splurging on booze, drugs, senseless stuff and women

You must have missed where I live with my girlfriend, that's a woman to spend money on and I need booze to stay sane.

In all seriousness, I can't wait until I get the Polk's in. It's going to be like a kid at Christmas. There is nothing better than unboxing new equipment.

Dark Horse · 10-21-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Um, guys, have you seen these yet? They're speakers from The Speaker Company, and they are getting a strong rep as a bang-for-the-buck speaker value.

TSC's TST1 towers are on sale for just $270 with free shipping. You can audition them in home for 30 days and if not satisified return them. You can also pick up a matching center channel, the TC2, for $99.97. That leaves you $30 for a couple of Blu-rays.

One of my friends swears by tSc's speakers, but I haven't had a chance to hear them for myself. It's nice to know that they're part of the same parent-company as Denon, since they're an ID company.

TSC is having a 20% off sale right now on most of their speakers (though their website doesn't say which ones aren't on sale.) If you use the coupon code Most15, it should drop the TST1's to $216/pr, and the TC2 to $80. That's a nice LCR setup for $300. (Now if only I had an extra $300!)

kingofgrills · 10-21-2009, 09:36 PM

Woah, that is a killer deal. I thought the prices I was quoting included the coupon code, which was posted right on the web site.

Does anyone on this board use them? After reading the Audioholics review a while ago, I've been wanting to hear people's experiences with them.

Icedburden · 10-21-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigblue622

I just made the order for the 60's and CS2, I knew either would be a jump up from my current Sony's. I just couldn't pass up that price. I'm sure I will be pleased, now I just need to convince the girlfriend to allow the SSF-5000's to be the new surrounds

I will update the thread and gallery asap.

Thanks guys

I also have them for the fronts and center and couldn't be happier. I'm hoping for a nice Black Friday sale for some polk surrounds. Check out my galleries to see them. Great purchase man and I hope you are happy with them.

curse · 10-22-2009, 12:38 AM

anyone know the breakin period on the polks? if any?

callas01 · 10-22-2009, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curse

anyone know the breakin period on the polks? if any?

Should be in the owners manual. 50-100 hours is pretty typical.

Bigblue622 · 10-24-2009, 02:11 AM

So I actually got them to the apartment today and got them hooked up, now I need to know about the frequency they need to be set at? I ran the audessey calibration and it set the Monitor 60's and CS2 to full band and I know that's not right.

Also I moved the Sony SSF5000's to the surrounds, should there frequency stay the same even though they aren't fronts anymore?

Thanks

10-21-2009, 01:43 PM	#1
Bigblue622 Active Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Kentucky Blu-ray collection:596 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	New Speakers on budget Well I decided last night I would like to buy a new L/C/R combination and I'm not sure what I want. I'm looking real hard at the Energy C-300 and Energy CC50 combo from audioadvisor.com. I know the center is a little small, however anything would be better than my current center I also saw on newegg I can get the Polk Monitor 60's and CS2 center for under $400. I know polk is a great budget friendly speaker, but I just can't make up my mind. Any info is appreciated as well as other suggestions. I would like to stay under $400.00 for the combo if possible. Thanks

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10-21-2009, 02:12 PM	#2
curse Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:147 Blu-ray reviews:15	those energies are probably your best bet. you can get two c 500s, a pair of c 50 bookshelfs,cc50 center. all for around 500. leaves alot of room to get a nice sub or use the c 300 towers for surround.

10-21-2009, 02:36 PM	#3
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	The C-C50 center channel will match very well to the C-300s, There is a thread for Energy owners and it has on the first post all the owners and the speakers they have paired together in case you want to PM them to ask how they like the speakers matched up. In comparison, I can say that hearing both, here is what I have noticed. The Energys will be a warmer more laidback speaker. Mid-range will be smoother and more detailed and have a fuller sound. Highs will be more accurate. Lows will be about the same, focusing more on Mid-bass rather then Low End thumping. The Polks will have a brighter sound. That will make them sound 'louder', but also give them a tinny sound. The one weak spot that I think the Polks have is music. Not that it will sound terrrible, but side by side, not as accurate. Music will be much more accurate on the Energys, and here is the test, play a fast paced piano on both sets and you will see where the Polks cannot produce the sounds as accurately or as detailed. Lets say you only listen to rock/grunge/alternative, both will be similar in SQ playing that genre of music, but with a Piano, acoustic guitar or a female vocalist, you will start to see the more defined musicallity of the Energys. To me this is the litmus test for speakers. Speakers that do this well or very well also make for awesome HT speakers. That said both are excellent ways to being a HT setup. Both of these speaker lines have been discontinued, so I wouldn't wait to long to jump on the speakers. Also, please note that I am not putting down polks, I think they make very good speakers. If you have the chance to audition them, please do so, otherwise, I can say that both are easily very good blind buys. I wouldn't say that about too many speakers. Let us know what you decide.

10-21-2009, 06:12 PM	#5
Bigblue622 Active Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Kentucky Blu-ray collection:596 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	Just saw newegg has the Monitor 60's in black and CS2 center with promo codes for a total of $335.97 shipped to the door. The energy speakers from Audioadvisor would be over $400 once shipped. I may jump on this deal today...

10-21-2009, 06:36 PM	#7
Bigblue622 Active Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Kentucky Blu-ray collection:596 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	I just made the order for the 60's and CS2, I knew either would be a jump up from my current Sony's. I just couldn't pass up that price. I'm sure I will be pleased, now I just need to convince the girlfriend to allow the SSF-5000's to be the new surrounds I will update the thread and gallery asap. Thanks guys

10-21-2009, 06:51 PM	#9
kingofgrills Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:PDX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:81 Trading Score:31	Um, guys, have you seen these yet? They're speakers from The Speaker Company, and they are getting a strong rep as a bang-for-the-buck speaker value. TSC's TST1 towers are on sale for just $270 with free shipping. You can audition them in home for 30 days and if not satisified return them. You can also pick up a matching center channel, the TC2, for $99.97. That leaves you $30 for a couple of Blu-rays. Here's the full review from Audioholics. Read the full review before heading to the speaker links: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/s...-build-quality TST1 Tower $270: http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TST...air-P72C8.aspx TS2 Center: http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TC2...er-P47C13.aspx If anyone is on a budget, I would highly recommend giving these guys a shot. Audioholics tends to have a good review section, with actual measurements, so that says a bit to me.

10-21-2009, 09:36 PM	#16
kingofgrills Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:PDX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:81 Trading Score:31	Woah, that is a killer deal. I thought the prices I was quoting included the coupon code, which was posted right on the web site. Does anyone on this board use them? After reading the Audioholics review a while ago, I've been wanting to hear people's experiences with them.

10-22-2009, 12:38 AM	#18
curse Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Blu-ray collection:147 Blu-ray reviews:15	anyone know the breakin period on the polks? if any?

10-24-2009, 02:11 AM	#20
Bigblue622 Active Member Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Kentucky Blu-ray collection:596 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	So I actually got them to the apartment today and got them hooked up, now I need to know about the frequency they need to be set at? I ran the audessey calibration and it set the Monitor 60's and CS2 to full band and I know that's not right. Also I moved the Sony SSF5000's to the surrounds, should there frequency stay the same even though they aren't fronts anymore? Thanks

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