The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[Adam.C]

A friends has a ful Martin Logan setup. Not sure what towers but his Dynamo sub is amazing. I loved the sound of the Martin Logans when I heard them. No music though, just some movie clips.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

Thanks. I'll obviously be auditioning before making any purchases, but I wanted to get an idea of what I can expect before I get to the dealer. Energy's sound has really grown on me, but if Totem or Dynaudio (or any other manufacturer) can improve on that SQ, I'm all for it.

Justin

I will say this It's hard not to find a speaker you like in the Totem lineup as the Arro, the Sttaf and the Hawk all sound different.

As for bookshelf, I know the Rainmaker is the Bookshelf of the Hawk but their bass driver are quite different and the X-over are different also and they sound different, as bookshelves the Rainmaker has grown alot on me and they can be used as Fronts, almost like a floorstander sound wise, they sound really big.

Don't get fooled by their size they outperform an RC-10 hands down.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by patwrightjr

and i have heard the Martin Logans, they are a bit on the extreme side of dynamic for my taste but im sure they sound great for HT...but cant imagine they can be that good for music

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

I thought they worked great with music when I listened to them. You say you've heard them, did you listen to any music through them?

Justin

Originally Posted by Adam.C

A friends has a ful Martin Logan setup. Not sure what towers but his Dynamo sub is amazing. I loved the sound of the Martin Logans when I heard them. No music though, just some movie clips.

I don't know if any of you have heard the new Motion series from ML, but to me they are not what the Preface was. They actually sound a lot like the Energy CF-70s but with a HOT top end. And not as smooth as the Preface in the mid-range. Bass is lost too. I didn't like them for music as much as the CF-70s. It seemed that they cheapend them vs the previous Preface speakers. I think ML had to make a change because the Encores and the Preface were supposed to be each others match but didn't quite come together for HT like many other MFGs so they created the Motions series.

the dynamos are great subs for their size, the 500(new dynamo) is a little weak, the 700 and 1000 are great tho. But overpriced.

my BB Mag rep told me since they got the Energys, they sell more Energys then Vienna, ML or Klipsch now. Interesting.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I will say this It's hard not to find a speaker you like in the Totem lineup as the Arro, the Sttaf and the Hawk all sound different.

As for bookshelf, I know the Rainmaker is the Bookshelf of the Hawk but their bass driver are quite different and the X-over are different also and they sound different, as bookshelves the Rainmaker has grown alot on me and they can be used as Fronts, almost like a floorstander sound wise, they sound really big.

Don't get fooled by their size they outperform an RC-10 hands down.

the Arro is a surprising speaker... for its small, really small size it puts out some bass.. the highs are great. Mid-range is really nice. Not as good IMO as the Sttafs, I think the sttafs have a much bigger soundstage, more bass, better mids, and smoother highs. I would love to hear the Sttafs vs the Rainmakers back to back. Something tells me the Rainmakers will hold there own quite nicely.


Justin, If you get the chance to hear the Dynaudio Focus 110s, rhett is always talking about them. I haven't yet heard them, but I have heard the Excites X16, and they were gorgeous. And hadn't even been fully broke in. the Excites are supposed to be on of their more linear lines, the Contours (like SeanMFs) are supposedly the most linear. But the Excites still have great bass and mid-range galloure, and silky smooth highs. Just expect to hear one of the most neutral speakers out there... to the point that you may not like it.

I read on AVS, that once you buy Dynaudio, you have no where else to go, but further up the Dynaudio lines.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

I don't know if any of you have heard the new Motion series from ML, but to me they are not what the Preface was. They actually sound a lot like the Energy CF-70s but with a HOT top end. And not as smooth as the Preface in the mid-range. Bass is lost too. I didn't like them for music as much as the CF-70s. It seemed that they cheapend them vs the previous Preface speakers. I think ML had to make a change because the Encores and the Preface were supposed to be each others match but didn't quite come together for HT like many other MFGs so they created the Motions series.

the dynamos are great subs for their size, the 500(new dynamo) is a little weak, the 700 and 1000 are great tho. But overpriced.

my BB Mag rep told me since they got the Energys, they sell more Energys then Vienna, ML or Klipsch now. Interesting.

I agree that the Motion series is, IMO, not what the Preface was. When I made my post, I was referring to ML's electrostatic offerings. Which are really quite something with music. They are fairly large speakers though, so that alone may mean they won't work for some people.

Justin

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I will say this It's hard not to find a speaker you like in the Totem lineup as the Arro, the Sttaf and the Hawk all sound different.

As for bookshelf, I know the Rainmaker is the Bookshelf of the Hawk but their bass driver are quite different and the X-over are different also and they sound different, as bookshelves the Rainmaker has grown alot on me and they can be used as Fronts, almost like a floorstander sound wise, they sound really big.

Don't get fooled by their size they outperform an RC-10 hands down.

Originally Posted by callas01

the Arro is a surprising speaker... for its small, really small size it puts out some bass.. the highs are great. Mid-range is really nice. Not as good IMO as the Sttafs, I think the sttafs have a much bigger soundstage, more bass, better mids, and smoother highs. I would love to hear the Sttafs vs the Rainmakers back to back. Something tells me the Rainmakers will hold there own quite nicely.


Justin, If you get the chance to hear the Dynaudio Focus 110s, rhett is always talking about them. I haven't yet heard them, but I have heard the Excites X16, and they were gorgeous. And hadn't even been fully broke in. the Excites are supposed to be on of their more linear lines, the Contours (like SeanMFs) are supposedly the most linear. But the Excites still have great bass and mid-range galloure, and silky smooth highs. Just expect to hear one of the most neutral speakers out there... to the point that you may not like it.

I read on AVS, that once you buy Dynaudio, you have no where else to go, but further up the Dynaudio lines.

I really need to get out and listen to Totem since they are in town. Maybe later today since I'll be out that way anyway. Dynaudio on the other hand will require a day trip in order to listen to them, so I'll have to make some time to do that. Next weekend is looking like the earliest I'll be able to do that.

Justin

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

I agree that the Motion series is, IMO, not what the Preface was. When I made my post, I was referring to ML's electrostatic offerings. Which are really quite something with music. They are fairly large speakers though, so that alone may mean they won't work for some people.

Justin

HEHE Justin at 25K, I must say the CLXs worked amazingly with classical music. I heard them at the show in montreal back in 2009.

[patwrightjr]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

I thought they worked great with music when I listened to them. You say you've heard them, did you listen to any music through them?

Justin

ive heard two different Martin Logan setups that were on display (the smallest speakers they offer and the big dollar setup with the huge towers), they had both set set up with couches like in your living room and a big flat screen with a blueray playing movies only. Man they sounded crisp and dynamic!

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

HEHE Justin at 25K, I must say the CLXs worked amazingly with classical music. I heard them at the show in montreal back in 2009.

At 25k, they should have. IMO, even their lower model electrostat offerings are quite impressive with music.

I also emailed my local Totem dealer (he works out of his home and his appointment only) to set up an audition time. Hopefully that'll be sometime next week.

Justin

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

At 25k, they should have. IMO, even their lower model electrostat offerings are quite impressive with music.

I also emailed my local Totem dealer (he works out of his home and his appointment only) to set up an audition time. Hopefully that'll be sometime next week.

Justin

Hi Justin,

Sweet I strongly recommend if you go the Totem route to have some really warm musical gear to pair them with or else they might sound to bright to your ears.

Your dealer sure has what it takes to make them sound their best and if you go that route they are also picky on placement so go by Totem's recommendation, they have a chart on their website in the FAQ section you can have a peak at it.

Olivier

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

At 25k, they should have. IMO, even their lower model electrostat offerings are quite impressive with music.

I also emailed my local Totem dealer (he works out of his home and his appointment only) to set up an audition time. Hopefully that'll be sometime next week.

Justin

Rhetts Dynaudio dealer also works from his home. I think you should listen to all the speakers that he has. Also listen to all the Totems you can. There are some good speakers there to listen to.

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Hi Justin,

Sweet I strongly recommend if you go the Totem route to have some really warm musical gear to pair them with or else they might sound to bright to your ears.

Your dealer sure has what it takes to make them sound their best and if you go that route they are also picky on placement so go by Totem's recommendation, they have a chart on their website in the FAQ section you can have a peak at it.

Olivier

I think that goes for Dynaudio, PSB and Energy as well. You need to have musical gear with all of them because they are just so musical in nature and have that warm-to-neutral sound, that something like NAD, Anthem, Marantz will work great with all 4 speaker companies.

If you go Dynaudio or Totem NAD or Anthem would be my recommendation. Or Marantz with an AMP, but I would advise, don't get a Emotiva, they are brighter sounding from what I hear and with the very neutral sound of Totem Dynaudio you will prefer the warmer more musical nature of Anthem and NAD.

I spoke with 2 different Totem dealers and told them I was looking at NAD and they both said that was a great match.

[patwrightjr]

there's a guy from MSS HIFI on e-bay selling brand new Totem Rainmakers for a "buy it now" price of $795 a pair...
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Totem-Aco...item4cf087eee0

[callas01]

Originally Posted by patwrightjr

there's a guy from MSS HIFI on e-bay selling brand new Totem Rainmakers for a "buy it now" price of $795 a pair...
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Totem-Aco...item4cf087eee0

thats not a bad price. if I had $800 I'd nab them up, plus if you could get the center for about the same price that would save almost $500-600, that would be a good deal.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by patwrightjr

there's a guy from MSS HIFI on e-bay selling brand new Totem Rainmakers for a "buy it now" price of $795 a pair...
http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Totem-Aco...item4cf087eee0

I think the pairing of Rainmakers with the HK is quite good also as HK are very warm and Dynamic sounding receiver but you would experience tremendous mids and a bit more highs compare to the RC-10.

I think you should audition it before pulling the trigger tho.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

id say the detail from the Energys and the Monitors were the same, but the mid-range was coloured and dark sounding. Rhett said when he heard the Studio 100s he thought they sounded like they were in a cave, that is about accurate. IDK, to me they just didn't have it all. I think PSB and Energy are better speakers. Funny thing is they didn't sound bright at all, but they sounded dark. Also the Monitor 11s were too close to each other, and I was about 6 feet back and they were about 5-6 feet apart. The Studios were about 8-9 feet apart and they still sounded coloured. I don't know but I would not trade in the Energys for Paradigms....

That is cool about the Clapton..... I need to get an Oppo so I can buy some SACDs and listen to lossless audio.....

Do you remeber when he listened to the Studio 100 were the V4 or V5 as they are much improved, the dealer that sells Totem Canton Integra Yamaha, Anthem, Arcam, Def Tech and Bryston was about to get rid of Paradigm but they decided to keep them as they had improved cossiderably over the previous version. They are not al that impressed by the entry level Monitor but now the Studio to have improved enough to keep the whole lineup.

I chose the RC-70 over the more expensive Studios 100 any day.

[28BlusLater]

Originally Posted by patwrightjr

and i have heard the Martin Logans, they are a bit on the extreme side of dynamic for my taste but im sure they sound great for HT...but cant imagine they can be that good for music

Not true about the music. Many of them were actually made for music.
I have the Prefaces and when I was checking out other MartinLogan speakers, I tested both movies and music and both sound incredible. I listened to "Hello" by Evanescence and you can hear the tiny cracks in her voice and every single sound she makes sounds incredibly accurate and is as if she's singing it right in front of you, and the same with my Prefaces to a lesser degree of the electrostats (guaranteeing that they're getting the clean power source they require). The subwoofers are great since they give very musical bass.
MartinLogans are terrific for both movies and music, but some of their speakers are better with music. I personally dislike the Motion line and thought they sounded nothing near as good as the Prefaces, and obviously not the electrostats.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Hi Justin,

Sweet I strongly recommend if you go the Totem route to have some really warm musical gear to pair them with or else they might sound to bright to your ears.

Your dealer sure has what it takes to make them sound their best and if you go that route they are also picky on placement so go by Totem's recommendation, they have a chart on their website in the FAQ section you can have a peak at it.

Olivier

Here is the dealer's website. It appears he has systems set up throughout his home. From a living room set-up all the way to a dedicated listening room. I'm really looking forward to listening in a non-dedicated room since that's what I'll be using.

From his site, it appears he currently only has the Arro, Hawk, and Forest set up (using Azur and Moon amplification). I've asked if it would be possible to audition the Rainmaker as well though.

Originally Posted by callas01

Rhetts Dynaudio dealer also works from his home. I think you should listen to all the speakers that he has. Also listen to all the Totems you can. There are some good speakers there to listen to.

I will listen to everything I can. The other speakers he has are from Acoustic Zen, Epos, Induction Dynamics, Joseph Audio, Reference 3a, and Silverline. The only one of those I've heard of is Joseph Audio, but I haven't had an opportunity to listen to any of them.

Justin

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Do you remeber when he listened to the Studio 100 were the V4 or V5 as they are much improved, the dealer that sells Totem Canton Integra Yamaha, Anthem, Arcam, Def Tech and Bryston was about to get rid of Paradigm but they decided to keep them as they had improved cossiderably over the previous version. They are not al that impressed by the entry level Monitor but now the Studio to have improved enough to keep the whole lineup.

I chose the RC-70 over the more expensive Studios 100 any day.

I heard the v.4 studio 60s and Rhett heard the v.4 studio 100s. I heard the v.5 Monitor 11s, and I have also heard the v.4 Titan Monitors and Atom Monitors. I actually liked the Titans paird with a Yamaha 2700 avr.

either way tho, I doubt I would trade in the C-300s for anything in the Monitors or Studio lines.... I just need a receiver to properly power the C-300s and to add to the musical nature of them.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

Here is the dealer's website. It appears he has systems set up throughout his home. From a living room set-up all the way to a dedicated listening room. I'm really looking forward to listening in a non-dedicated room since that's what I'll be using.

From his site, it appears he currently only has the Arro, Hawk, and Forest set up (using Azur and Moon amplification). I've asked if it would be possible to audition the Rainmaker as well though.



I will listen to everything I can. The other speakers he has are from Acoustic Zen, Epos, Induction Dynamics, Joseph Audio, Reference 3a, and Silverline. The only one of those I've heard of is Joseph Audio, but I haven't had an opportunity to listen to any of them. Azur is Cambridge Audio its one of their lines, and Moon makes nice gear too. Never heard it tho.

Justin

Justin,

I have heard of Epos, Joseph and Acoustic Zen. The first 2 more then the others, and they make quite nice audio speakers.

He has the rainmakers....you're in good hands

Monitor Speakers: System Two

Cambridge Audio Azur 640C Mkll CD player ($600)
Azur 640A Mkll 75w/ch Integrated amplifier ($600)
Totem Rainmaker ($1050)
DH Labs cable package ($200)
Plateau M-23 speaker stands ($105)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MSRP System Price: ($ 2555) $ 2195

I like that he has it paired with the Cambridge audio Integraded Amp and CDP. I think you will like that setup too..... Cambridge doesn't get a ton of play on this site which is sad, but they make very good stuff. I think the system there would be an excellent 2-channel system for anyone.


He has some nice stuff, I would love to be there with you.... Have him give you the full tour. those JA Reference speakers would be the shit to listen to, I bet they will sound super killer.

Im super jealous, I love going and auditioning things I have never heard. The place I visited the other day had Gallos and I was so upset I had to leave before hearing them.... They also had PCM audio speakers, and I wanted desperately to hear those as well. But I had work to do.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

Justin,

I have heard of Epos, Joseph and Acoustic Zen. The first 2 more then the others, and they make quite nice audio speakers.

He has the rainmakers....you're in good hands




I like that he has it paired with the Cambridge audio Integraded Amp and CDP. I think you will like that setup too..... Cambridge doesn't get a ton of play on this site which is sad, but they make very good stuff. I think the system there would be an excellent 2-channel system for anyone.


He has some nice stuff, I would love to be there with you.... Have him give you the full tour. those JA Reference speakers would be the shit to listen to, I bet they will sound super killer.

Im super jealous, I love going and auditioning things I have never heard. The place I visited the other day had Gallos and I was so upset I had to leave before hearing them.... They also had PCM audio speakers, and I wanted desperately to hear those as well. But I had work to do.

That system currently isn't set-up (noted by the lack of an asterisk). Regardless, I received a reply from him and he said that while he didn't currently have the Rainmaker set-up, he could get them. So I'll be able to hear them. He's also on vacation until the 28th, so no audition until then.

He recommended the Epos line as well, so I'll make sure I have plenty of time to listen to everything he has on display.

Justin