The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by callas01

the one thing I had heard about the 663 is that it does reach its ceiling, esp in large rooms, which is why I was leaning towards the Sony, as no one mentioned this before I had bought it..... and I have never ran outta head room with it.

Perhaps it just runs outta gas and then you're hearing the amp strain

True I have read the same thing. Also consider im only getting maybe 60wpc tops running 5 channels. So it is definitely straining, which I think why I get distortion.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

the one thing I had heard about the 663 is that it does reach its ceiling, esp in large rooms, which is why I was leaning towards the Sony, as no one mentioned this before I had bought it..... and I have never ran outta head room with it.

Perhaps it just runs outta gas and then you're hearing the amp strain

Hehe it's a possibility, my HKs do not run out of head room as they are rated with all channels driven and I ran them as loud as 0 db without distoortion in 2 channel and man that punches like hell.

Never really drove the Yammy at -16 only -20 -18 and it still sounded good.

Try pure direct analog input and see how that sounds as the sound will remain untouched.

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by callas01

Are you thinking ULS-15 Dual Drives... if so I am coming over.... I would love to hear that entire setup...

Awesome, I have heard the in-wall veritas are pretty damn good. 3-way design right? so they have good bass too.

Would you like for me to baby-sit the RC-30s and RC-10s for you until you move, perhaps that would convince the wife I need the RC-30s ($287 wwstereo) in my livingroom once you need yours again....

A single ULS-15 would be more than enough to surpass my fantasy!!! I need to win the lottery. Instead I'm a bargain hunter.

He has the V2.2's which are 3 way. He had a sub going so I'm not sure on the bass, but I'm guessing not so much due to no enclosure (relavite to the RC-30's which can bump). The mids and highs for vocals are superb.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...%20%20%20%20EA

Haha, I have to say (just checked, only the black that price) I'd try to get Cherry or Rosenut, they look so much nicer IMO. I paid $399 for the pair from Audioavisor for my rosenut RC-30's, shipping added $67. This was back in 07.

My VTF-HO w/Turbo I forgot what I paid but it was probably half of whatever HSU was selling it for at the time as I bought it off somebody on AVS.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Adam.C

I use my BD player for cds. Thats all I have right now. Should be purchasing an AppleTV sometime soon, so I can play my large Itunes library instead of burning them to millions of discs.

It very well may be just because of the lower quality from the cds. I actually notice the most distortion and tinnyness(is that a word?) from my center channel when watching lossless blus at high volumes to be honest. Now I dont know if that has anything to do with me plugging the ports on the back (no room for it the breathe behind.)?

I think its your receiver straining to push the ineffcient Energy speakers.... I have always heard you need a receiver with a really good amp or you need external amplification for them.... even the new CF which are sensitive and 8 ohms, I read that an extenal amp would be the best way to go.

[Monkey]

I know people keep saying on other boards that power doesn't matter, but from my experience it does. When driving my RC-30's I originally had a Onkyo 605.. then I "rented" a few different receivers from Fry's to try out and settled on the 805, definitely an improved SQ eve at low volumes.. Not just tighter bass but the vocals seemed richer/fuller as well.

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by callas01

I think its your receiver straining to push the ineffcient Energy speakers.... I have always heard you need a receiver with a really good amp or you need external amplification for them.... even the new CF which are sensitive and 8 ohms, I read that an extenal amp would be the best way to go.

Thats pretty much why im sold on a XPA-3. Sucks that I wont have the cash for one until the end of the month. Sale ends on the 18th

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Hehe it's a possibility, my HKs do not run out of head room as they are rated with all channels driven and I ran them as loud as 0 db without distoortion in 2 channel and man that punches like hell.

Never really drove the Yammy at -16 only -20 -18 and it still sounded good.

Try pure direct analog input and see how that sounds as the sound will remain untouched.

well the 663 was tested to output 47 wpc, the sony I have and its cousin the DN1000 were tested to 60 wpc, so I think its just the fuel in the tank of the 663 that is running out... IMO.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Monkey

I know people keep saying on other boards that power doesn't matter, but from my experience it does. When driving my RC-30's I originally had a Onkyo 605.. then I "rented" a few different receivers from Fry's to try out and settled on the 805, definitely an improved SQ eve at low volumes.. Not just tighter bass but the vocals seemed richer/fuller as well.

I agree, Power is required. Which is why I am looking to rid myself of the Sony.... its OK, but I know there is more in the Energys then what I am getting... and that will stave off upgrading the speakers for another yr or 2.. I hope

needless to say, the wife hates BD.COM... LOL.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Adam.C

Thats pretty much why im sold on a XPA-3. Sucks that I wont have the cash for one until the end of the month. Sale ends on the 18th

credit card????



then pay off the CC....

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by callas01

credit card????



then pay off the CC....

Im not much into CC. I have 1 that is maxed lol. Probably should pay it off before getting an amp but.. NO! lol

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Adam.C

Im not much into CC. I have 1 that is maxed lol. Probably should pay it off before getting an amp but.. NO! lol

Well... I don't have one period... I used to.. but they are too much trouble... so I live as debt free as possible and if I have the $ I buy otherwise..... I PRAY!

[Monkey]

Originally Posted by callas01

I agree, Power is required. Which is why I am looking to rid myself of the Sony.... its OK, but I know there is more in the Energys then what I am getting... and that will stave off upgrading the speakers for another yr or 2.. I hope

needless to say, the wife hates BD.COM... LOL.

hahaha

Oh my, the abilities of the RC-30's blew my mind after firing up the Onkyo 805. Play well beyond my comfort level during movies, crystal clear, super tight, etc. IMO better than watching in the theater.. The VTF-HO w/Turbo literally made me wonder if the dry wall would crack, frequency sweeps were fun, hahaha

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

well the 663 was tested to output 47 wpc, the sony I have and its cousin the DN1000 were tested to 60 wpc, so I think its just the fuel in the tank of the 663 that is running out... IMO.

What I fond odd my HK is rated at 50WPC and never run out of headroom.

An amp will help alot only thing is I find odd that it's lacking that much.

I guess the High current desing helps greatly, I said it before an HK 3600 blew the Onkyo 608 in my comparaison.

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by callas01

Well... I don't have one period... I used to.. but they are too much trouble... so I live as debt free as possible and if I have the $ I buy otherwise..... I PRAY!

yea man. I really hate CC. Its gotten both me and wife into trouble. So we are on a oath to not spend any more on credit untill its all payed off.

This damn H-T stuff doesnt help though lol. Thats why I have to jedi mind trick the wife. lol

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

What I fond odd my HK is rated at 50WPC and never run out of headroom.

An amp will help alot only thing is I find odd that it's lacking that much.

I guess the High current desing helps greatly, I said it before an HK 3600 blew the Onkyo 608 in my comparaison.

Must be the kind of amps that HK uses. Ive always heard they are really good.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Adam.C

Must be the kind of amps that HK uses. Ive always heard they are really good.

HEHE alot of people find that to boomy but it's not boomy it's dynamic and when they are set properly they sound great sure they had more problems than others with HDMI but all in all I'm happy.

[arrt vandelay]

regarding the amp discussion...

i used my yamaha rx v765 with my energy set up for months and was quite satisfied. too many visits to this site had me convinced i needed an amp so i bought a 2 channel adcom(100wpc). it made music sound better, but i really could not tell a difference when it came to home theater. time passed, and i decided to upgrade my entire set up so i switched out speakers and bought a 5 channel adcom amp(100wpc again). during very loud action scenes, i notice slight differences in the over sound...clearer dialog, effects, etc...but nothing mind-blowing.

adding an amp probably will improve your overall sound, but i would advise to keep your expectations in check. don't expect a totally new system just by adding the amp...

regarding the yammy brightness...

my 765(and i think so does the 663) has a graphic eq you can tailor the sound anyway you like, so if you feel like it's "tinny" that can certainly be rectified. i never really noticed any recording being overly bright, but i don't claim to have golden ears either. i do have the bass turned up 2db and have fiddled w/ the graphic eq to bring out some more of the mid-bass frequencies, and i'm very satisifed with my overall sound...

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

What is your cd player and what kind of media are you using to play music?

Many things can cause distortion let's put it this way Energy are really not forgiving with the highs I experience that sometimes even on my HK with bad recordings. The tweeter can crackle and sound broken at times.

It does not happen often in my case and since I changemy CD player I really have to fall on a bd recording to experience such a thing.

A separate amp will help for sure.

Yes, and that could also be due to the HF emphasis bias EQ found on CDs not being correctly de-emphasized by a CD player.

I have C-300s driven an Adcom GFA 545 II connected to the pre-outs of my Yamaha V663. I often listen to movies and music at around -15 db below reference level which is quite loud and sometimes down to -10 db. I have not heard any distortion, crackling, excessively bright highs, nor other unnatural, nasty highs coming from the tweeters. I don't know about the C-500s but the C-300s need some EQ boost at 2.5 KHz which is also the crossover freq. and the same goes for the C-C100 as well (driven by a monoblock amp with 150 W clean power into 8 ohms or 250 W into 4 ohms). A modest +3 to +4 db EQ at 2.5 kHz works wonders, dramatically improving dialogue clarity and presence in the center channel. But such EQ like that is useless and can't be applied if the V663 is driving the center channel. An external power amp is needed before the center channel (C-C100) is really working at its best.

I have found Yamaha AVRs used as pre/pros with Adcom power amps to be an excellent and satisfying combination with the Energy C-series. I have yet to hear any distortion with them. However, when driven by the V663 alone, I couldn't crank it up more than -25 db much less -20 db below reference level. The V663 begins to sound rather dirty, with a collapsed soundstage and loss of detail in the L C R channels especially. Adding external power amps was the best thing I ever did to improve the sound. The C-series speakers are not by any means efficient speakers.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by callas01

well the 663 was tested to output 47 wpc, the sony I have and its cousin the DN1000 were tested to 60 wpc, so I think its just the fuel in the tank of the 663 that is running out... IMO.

Read about it here. That's 47 wpc at 0.09% distortion all 7 channels driven. With 5 channels driven it was 60 wpc at 0.1% distortion which would be ok for most folks having efficient speakers in a 5.1 system, like Klipsch. I wouldn't recommend the V663 driving a 7.1 setup nor even 5.1 system made up of Energy C-series like the C-500/300s and a C-C100 center making up the L C R section.

Use a V663 as a pre/pro with external power amps, then you're in Nirvana.

[browndk26]

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

Read about it here. That's 47 wpc at 0.09% distortion all 7 channels driven. With 5 channels driven it was 60 wpc at 0.1% distortion which would be ok for most folks having efficient speakers in a 5.1 system, like Klipsch. I wouldn't recommend the V663 driving a 7.1 setup nor even 5.1 system made up of Energy C-series like the C-500/300s and a C-C100 center making up the L C R section.

Use a V663 as a pre/pro with external power amps, then you're in Nirvana.

So what receiver alone(no amp) would be powerful enough to drive Energy speakers like mine?