The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

you will want to hear the RC series too. You should find a true Energy dealer and hear the RC series...

Oliver, how would you compare the RCs with the CFs?

I just checked and a Marantz dealer in town that I've been meaning to get to is also an Energy dealer. They are pretty close to the BB Mag store so hopefully this week I'll be able to get to both of them.

Justin

[donaldsonjune]

hello big al,

this is for my bedroom system. a center & sub is needed.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

you will want to hear the RC series too. You should find a true Energy dealer and hear the RC series...

Oliver, how would you compare the RCs with the CFs?

Mmm hard to tell I think you will find a Signature Energy Sound. Great Imaging with really wide soundfield with absolutely amazing staging.

Certainly a bit smoother in the midrange department but where the difference really stands is mostly in X-over quality and Stronger Cabinet with better finish wich will make the sound even better with absolutely no coloration at higher volumes Funny that both use the same Damping Material tho, pink fiberglass wool.

The CF doe snot sound colored but at higher volume I think you would see the difference with the stronger cabinet.

To be honest at low to moderate volume it will be hard to tell wich is better but as you increse the volume signicantly you will find out what the stronger cabinet really does.


CF Series will blow the Digms Monitor out of the water just for their much better staging and how much stronger imaging.

A 500$ Mission M33i sounded better than the Monitor 7 priced at 800$ in Canada.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by donaldsonjune

hello big al,

this is for my bedroom system. a center & sub is needed.

What is the actual asking price for the ESW8?

Macruz here has a spare C-C50 that you could defenately get for a center.

Great to match with the C-100.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by donaldsonjune

hello big al,

this is for my bedroom system. a center & sub is needed.

Energy makes nice subs, if you can find them on discount, however for the price of retail I feel there are better subs.... Try this for your bedroom... you will really like it
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-1.html

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Yes in fact not exactly the same speaker a bit different design but it does not get any closer than that in timber matching they really are the Cousin of the C-500 as well as the LS-300 is to the C-300.

Is this to match your center Channel?

Great price here on the LS300 but yeah C-500 will have more guts.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS300

doesnt athena use lesser quality cabinets so they are a lower cost option????

Funny how Athena and Mirage use a lot of Energys designs in their speakers.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

doesnt athena use lesser quality cabinets so they are a lower cost option????

Funny how Athena and Mirage use a lot of Energys designs in their speakers.

I've heard this as well, their finishes aren't as nice either. So I've heard anyway.

Justin

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

I've heard this as well, their finishes aren't as nice either. So I've heard anyway.

Justin

Im pretty sure that Athena was created by API(Audio Products Intl.)(the Former Parent company to Energys and Mirage) to offer lower price point speakers so they didn't lose out on people that were looking for speakers at a entry price point less then that of the Energy speakers.

Ive also heard that Klipsch may not keep them....

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

doesnt athena use lesser quality cabinets so they are a lower cost option????

Funny how Athena and Mirage use a lot of Energys designs in their speakers.

Well maybe a bit lower cost but as for timber matching it does not get any closer.

The design of the cabinet is different they have a slighly rounded cabinet which results usually in a stronger cabinet and better overal sound but overall quality maybe lower a bit.

Don't forget the LS is the Flagship of the line as opposed to Energy where the Conoisseur is the Entry Level.

Of course they don't look as nice as the Energy but I think they are pretty decent and would still put Pardigm Monitor 7 to shame.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Well maybe a bit lower cost but as for timber matching it does not get any closer.

The design of the cabinet is different they have a slighly rounded cabinet which results usually in a stronger cabinet and better overal sound but overall quality maybe lower a bit.

Don't forget the LS is the Flagship of the line as opposed to Energy where the Conoisseur is the Entry Level.

Of course they don't look as nice as the Energy but I think they are pretty decent and would still put Pardigm Monitor 7 to shame.

Is it just me or is it a little strange that API had Energy share their Ribbed Eliptical surrounds they patented with Mirage, and then shared their Kevlar drivers with Mirage, then share their fiberglass woofers with Athena?

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

Im pretty sure that Athena was created by API(Audio Products Intl.)(the Former Parent company to Energys and Mirage) to offer lower price point speakers so they didn't lose out on people that were looking for speakers at a entry price point less then that of the Energy speakers.

Ive also heard that Klipsch may not keep them....

Correct, they were originally designed to be sold at Best Buy and other big box retailers. When Klipsch bought out Energy, BB no longer wanted to carry the line. So rather than have Athena sold through dealers at prices that rivaled the better Energy products, Klipsch phased Athena out.

Justin

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Well maybe a bit lower cost but as for timber matching it does not get any closer.

The design of the cabinet is different they have a slighly rounded cabinet which results usually in a stronger cabinet and better overal sound but overall quality maybe lower a bit.

Don't forget the LS is the Flagship of the line as opposed to Energy where the Conoisseur is the Entry Level.

Of course they don't look as nice as the Energy but I think they are pretty decent and would still put Pardigm Monitor 7 to shame.

Do you have a lot of experience with the Digms M7s?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

Correct, they were originally designed to be sold at Best Buy and other big box retailers. When Klipsch bought out Energy, BB no longer wanted to carry the line. So rather than have Athena sold through dealers at prices that rivaled the better Energy products, Klipsch phased Athena out.

Justin

So Athena is no longer.... it seems their website is still active....

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

Correct, they were originally designed to be sold at Best Buy and other big box retailers. When Klipsch bought out Energy, BB no longer wanted to carry the line. So rather than have Athena sold through dealers at prices that rivaled the better Energy products, Klipsch phased Athena out.

Justin

Well Energy got into BB because the Klipsch Ikons or References were doing so terrible, that is what the BB guy told me today.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

Do you have a lot of experience with the Digms M7s?

Remember I compared them right next to the Mission M33i on a Marantz receiver and let me tell ya to me they really did have poor staging and I'm sure the LS-300 or your C-300 would just outperform them.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Remember I compared them right next to the Mission M33i on a Marantz receiver and let me tell ya to me they really did have poor staging and I'm sure the LS-300 or your C-300 would just outperform them.

when I heard the Titan Monitors, they sounded about the same as the C300s.... A little brighter sounding overall, but similar.... I haven't heard the Monitor 7s in a long time, so I have trouble remembering.... It was probably 3 yrs ago.....

I just find it funny that you tend to rip on the Monitors quite a bit... LOL.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

So Athena is no longer.... it seems their website is still active....

I just noticed that myself, but according to this post at AVS from June 2007, they appear to be no more:

I got a letter from Audio Advisor stating that the new owners (Klipsch) have decided to discontinue the Athena line. So grab them while you can. My guess is the Athenas competed too directly with the Klipsch line of speakers. Read below.

Thank you for shopping for Athena speakers with Audio Advisor. We know you have a lot of choices where to shop and we want to thank you for making the right decision.
I am writing to give you advanced notice of unprecedented savings on a selection of Athena Audition-Series speakers.

Five years ago, Audio Products International [API] of Canada -- maker of fine speaker brands like Mirage, Energy and more -- introduced the Athena Audition Series. The Audition line debuted to fantastic critical acclaim. Many models won awards -- including "Product of the Year" and a coveted listing in Stereophile's "Recommended Components".

We sold thousands of Athena speakers to audiophiles for their audio and home theater systems. Then we sold even more as they recommended them to their friends, relatives and neighbors.

Now we regret to inform you the maker of Athena, API, has been sold and the new owners have decided to discontinue the Athena Audition product line. As soon as we learned this, we contacted the company and bought as many Athena speakers as we could. Then we decided to hold a special Summer Warehouse Clearance Sale.

As a previous Athena speaker buyer we are sending you this notice to give you a chance to grab one of these exciting Athena bargains BEFORE our other customers find out about them. In fact, I am limiting this mailing to customers who purchased Athena speakers from us in the last six months.

As an Athena owner, you know what a excellent value their speakers are. Now -- for a limited time -- you can get your hands on one of their speakers at a bargain - basement price.

Don't need any speakers right now? Tell your friends. They won't find a better speaker bargain ANYWHERE.

Grab One Now Before They Are Gone!

Only a limited number of these Athena Audition speakers are available. If you see one you like, go online and order it right now. If you wait it may be gone forever.

Sincerely,


Wayne Schuurman, President
Audio Advisor, Inc

Justin

Edit: Rereading my post, that email was just for one line of Athena speakers. Nevertheless, If you look at the website, they no longer have dealer/where to buy page. Also, I remember reading multiple posts over at AVS of Athena being phased out, I just can't find them now.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

I just noticed that myself, but according to this post at AVS from June 2007, they appear to be no more:



Justin

Edit: Rereading my post, that email was just for one line of Athena speakers. Nevertheless, If you look at the website, they no longer have dealer/where to buy page. Also, I remember reading multiple posts over at AVS of Athena being phased out, I just can't find them now.

interesting, I wonder if its just that line of speakers or the whole division.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

when I heard the Titan Monitors, they sounded about the same as the C300s.... A little brighter sounding overall, but similar.... I haven't heard the Monitor 7s in a long time, so I have trouble remembering.... It was probably 3 yrs ago.....

I just find it funny that you tend to rip on the Monitors quite a bit... LOL.

Look did you have a chance to do a side by side comparaison?

I'm not saying that they sound bad or anything they sound nice, loud and not so bright without distortion but when you actually take the time to break down the sound you will distinguish how much better the staging is with the Energy or Mission vs the Monitors.

It's just so obvious that the presence of the voice is more forward compared to the drum or other intruments playing in the background on our speakers vs the Monitor where everything seems to sound more even and also having a poorer imaging.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

interesting, I wonder if its just that line of speakers or the whole division.

I'm not sure. Other than Amazon, I don't think there is any other place to purchase Athena Speakers anymore. One could always email Athena directly and ask.

Justin