The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

well... if I had pre-outs so I could connect an AMP I would do that and use the Sony as a pre-pro, however I don't have the pre-outs.....

So the problem arises, How do I properly power 4 ohm speakers on a SONY receiver???

Also,..... if I do have to keep my speakers for 3-4 more years, I want to help them out by giving them great power and a musical receiver.....

The Rainmaker is 4 ohms minimum and not nominal so this could work on your 920.

I would email Totem and ask them for the acyual nominal impedance. Shuld be no less than 6ohms.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

The Rainmaker is 4 ohms minimum and not nominal so this could work on your 920.

I would email Totem and ask them for the acyual nominal impedance. Shuld be no less than 6ohms.

well I find that interesting.... because the Hawks say they are 6 ohm nominal, and the Rainmaker Center says 8 ohm nominal..... so you may be right in that the Rainmakers may be 6 ohm nominal....

Still, JasonR didn't like the strain he thought his Sony 920 had with his MA RS6s, so I don't know how different these would be, esp since his speakers were more efficient.


I will email them and check thanks.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by callas01

well I find that interesting.... because the Hawks say they are 6 ohm nominal, and the Rainmaker Center says 8 ohm nominal..... so you may be right in that the Rainmakers may be 6 ohm nominal....

Still, JasonR didn't like the strain he thought his Sony 920 had with his MA RS6s, so I don't know how different these would be, esp since his speakers were more efficient.


I will email them and check thanks.

He also didn't buy everything all at once. I understand how you feel, because I am kinda like that. I was going to invest in the PL-300, but then someone asked me a few other questions and made me look at the whole picture at once and I gave up on it.

[callas01]

I understand what your saying Hamp, and I appreciate it. However, the wife wants me to take her to Hawaii, carpet the house, new furniture, new car and landscape the house. So I do what I want this spring and then its off to Hawaii and new furniture next year, then landscaping, carpet and car the next year......

That is why I am looking for a 4 ohm stable receiver, AND the speakers this year, I have been looking at NAD, Anthem, Integra and Cambridge Audio. I have narrowed it doen to Totem and Dynaudio because from what I have heard of them in auditions they are the best I have heard FOR ME.

hope this helps you to understand where I'm at..... and why I am looking to do what I am.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by callas01

I understand what your saying Hamp, and I appreciate it. However, the wife wants me to take her to Hawaii, carpet the house, new furniture, new car and landscape the house. So I do what I want this spring and then its off to Hawaii and new furniture next year, then landscaping, carpet and car the next year......

That is why I am looking for a 4 ohm stable receiver, AND the speakers this year, I have been looking at NAD, Anthem, Integra and Cambridge Audio. I have narrowed it doen to Totem and Dynaudio because from what I have heard of them in auditions they are the best I have heard FOR ME.

hope this helps you to understand where I'm at..... and why I am looking to do what I am.

You too!!!! lol
She can get her own car....

[callas01]

Originally Posted by HAMP

You too!!!! lol
She can get her own car....

man you know how it is.... so its get in where you can fit in, so right now its get the phuc in

hey hamp, I am not a huge fan of the onkyo sound, do you know if Integra sounds the same, or are they less Dark sounding?

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by callas01

man you know how it is.... so its get in where you can fit in, so right now its get the phuc in

hey hamp, I am not a huge fan of the onkyo sound, do you know if Integra sounds the same, or are they less Dark sounding?

No I haven't heard any of them. It would be hard for me to give up my 805. When it was stolen, I searched for another.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by HAMP

No I haven't heard any of them. It would be hard for me to give up my 805. When it was stolen, I searched for another.

I have heard up to the Onkyo 3007 and I find then Dark and lacking in upper detail through all the speakers I have tried them on... so not a big fan, however the Integra 50.2 is an interesting looking receiver for $1400ish, and it would fit in the budget, however, the Anthem MRX500 and possibly the Cambridge Audio Azur 650 AVR are looking like potentially the best suits for my needs...

I just want to know if Integra sounds better then Onkyo... I hear they do, but I will just have to go to the dealer and listen.... perhaps with them connected to the Rainmakers and see how that combo works...

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by callas01

I think neutral, or dead neutral gets confused with bright, The Dyns are extremely neutral also, they have a slightly "bright" sound... I think because we are used to warm and laidback, it sounds bright.... although it really isn't, it just lacks warmth.

speaking of extremely wide sound stage..... watching The Mummy right now and the guy is pretending to play golf in the tomb, and it sounded like it bounced off my far right wall...

I want to go hear them so so so bad.... esp since I want to know what I want to do. Wife would be OK if I went and got the Focus 140s only so that I would never upgrade again, but the speakers are $3300 list, plus another $1500 on a receiver, then $200 on stands.... that is $5000.

That is way outta what I want to spend. AND what she wants me to spend. Even at 25% off that is $3800. Lets say best case senario.... $2k from taxes, $1300 vacation payout, $500-600 on current equipment being sold, that is $3800 roughly. However I need to get a new TV stand and speaker stands. So say that is $500 there, that leaves me about $2950 before tax to get everything else I need.... ie. Speakers and a Receiver. So I need to get some serious negotiating happening. I need about 20% off.... to come in at budget.... Even willing to buy b-stocks if it lets me get them for less.

What Dyns are we talking about? Which ones did you demo?

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by callas01

I think you like the brighter sound..... in my time with Big Daddys BP2000s and Best Buys BP7002, I think the newer speakers are more gimmicky with the bi-pole design then actually having a higher quality detail and depth and clarity. Of course they have a nice wide sound stage and full sound with the built-in subwoofers, but IMO, they definetly aren't what the older series were, and I who happen to be more into the accurate and colourless mid-range woud prefer the Energys over the 7006/7004 anyday.

So the Def Techs are a bright speaker? I have never really heard that. Maybe lacking detail, but not bright.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by JasonR

What Dyns are we talking about? Which ones did you demo?

i have heard the excites....


also let me rephase what I was trying to say, Dyns are pretty neutral, and I think coming from a speaker that is laidback and slightly warm, Totem and Dynaudio can sound "bright" to someone because its not what they are used to hearing....

HOWEVER, I didn't find them bright at all... actually found them quite neutral sounding.

Basically I was referring back to Olivers post that he felt the Rainmakers were "brighter" then the Sttafs... However, I would like to say that the Sttafs, and I am sure BigAl would agree, are neutral with a small touch of warmth. Where as I think he was trying to say, expect the Rainmakers not to be as warm, but more decidedly neutral.....


Sorry if that read the wrong way. I did not at all mean they were bright,..... trust me on that.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by JasonR

So the Def Techs are a bright speaker? I have never really heard that. Maybe lacking detail, but not bright.

Nope I wouldn't classify them as bright, again..... just meaning the def techs are more forward sounding then the Energys, and knowing Hamp, he likes the MA and klipsch sound... so he probably prefers the more forward/brighter sounds over the more laidback sound of the Energys, that is why I felt he liked the Def Techs tone more...

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by callas01

I have heard up to the Onkyo 3007 and I find then Dark and lacking in upper detail through all the speakers I have tried them on... so not a big fan, however the Integra 50.2 is an interesting looking receiver for $1400ish, and it would fit in the budget, however, the Anthem MRX500 and possibly the Cambridge Audio Azur 650 AVR are looking like potentially the best suits for my needs...

I just want to know if Integra sounds better then Onkyo... I hear they do, but I will just have to go to the dealer and listen.... perhaps with them connected to the Rainmakers and see how that combo works...

That I don't get, I hear the 805 and love it, this receiver is truly has an neutral sound, it's not colored in any form, especially not lacking. I really want to call it true to the source sound. I'm sure which ones you have heard, if they have the Burr-Brown DAC in them or not. I know onkyo was going back and forth with using them.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by callas01

Nope I wouldn't classify them as bright, again..... just meaning the def techs are more forward sounding then the Energys, and knowing Hamp, he likes the MA and klipsch sound... so he probably prefers the more forward/brighter sounds over the more laidback sound of the Energys, that is why I felt he liked the Def Techs tone more...

LOL, I am not sure I would class MA and Klipsch together. The MAs are much more musical. They might be a bit high hot, but come on. They have been getting spot on reviews the past two series music wise.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by HAMP

That I don't get, I hear the 805 and love it, this receiver is truly has an neutral sound, it's not colored in any form, especially not lacking. I really want to call it true to the source sound. I'm sure which ones you have heard, if they have the Burr-Brown DAC in them or not. I know onkyo was going back and forth with using them.

well I have heard that the 805 is a very good receiver.... I would love to hear one.... I was more familiar with the X06/07 lines, and to me they sound warm, but lack the natural sound of Yamaha, they to me sound kinda darker and muffled.....

Im sure JasonR is flipping over my comments right now,

but that is just what I have heard. Perhaps your 805 is natural and very awesome sounding... I know a lot of people here like the Onkyos, so I know I am in the minority, but I guess I just haven't been able to accustom myself to their sound yet......

Didn't mean to be offensive at all Hamp.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by callas01

well I have heard that the 805 is a very good receiver.... I would love to hear one.... I was more familiar with the X06/07 lines, and to me they sound warm, but lack the natural sound of Yamaha, they to me sound kinda darker and muffled.....

Im sure JasonR is flipping over my comments right now,

but that is just what I have heard. Perhaps your 805 is natural and very awesome sounding... I know a lot of people here like the Onkyos, so I know I am in the minority, but I guess I just haven't been able to accustom myself to their sound yet......

Didn't mean to be offensive at all Hamp.

I'm not offended, how a person feels about a product does not offend me in any kinda way.

I just fail to not understand some comments. I know I don't describe things as colorful as some do, but I do not put Klipsch and Monitor Audio in the same category.... That's just insane.

I'm in the process, not in a hurry, but in the process of changing out my Klipsch in my bedroom. My wife is not letting me, she doesn't mind the sound, all she does is turn it on and goes to sleep. I will be getting the In-wall RX soon, just gotta sneak them in.

Sneaking them in is easy, I just buy them, hide them, then save some money. slowly bring them out and then I can install.... lol

Since getting my MA here at home, I have recently been disgusted with my sounds in my truck. My truck sounds was something I use to be proud of.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by JasonR

LOL, I am not sure I would class MA and Klipsch together. The MAs are much more musical. They might be a bit high hot, but come on. They have been getting spot on reviews the past two series music wise.

Actually I wouldn't classify them in the same category either. And that is not what I meant by that either.... I think you mis-read what I was saying... Just that Hamp prefers a sound that is not laidback like the Energys

EDIT.... Actually Hamp said he heard the CF-70s and thought they were great, however I think/feel by his choices that he would rather own something with a little more of a forward sound then what the Energys provide sound wise.

..... the MAs like you said are a little hot, but not bright. Klipsch on the other hand is bright. My point was just I think Hamp likes that side of the audio spectrum better then the laidback or warmer sounds....


I think you think I dislike the MAs because theyre bright, and in all actuallity, I love the MAs, they are too forward for what I would want to own personally, but I think anyone that is thinking Paradigm, Kef, B&W, Klipsch, almost have to hear the MAs. I don't find the MAs fatiguing at all, in fact I really like them and I always try to get people to hear them when someone asks about what to audition.

Over time, I have found that I do like the neutral to nuetral-warm sound. Which is why Totem, Dynaudio and Energy as well as PSB all appeal to me. I personally find that Monitor Audio is on the other side of neutral, but that doesn't mean they are bright. If you read the review I wrote of the RS6s, I really liked them, I did point out some of their minor flaws, but overall, I gave them a great reveiw as I think they are a great speaker.

EDIT again I do agree that the MAs are very good with music, I think like most speakers in the sub $1500 category they lack speed thru the mid-range for fast piano sonatas and concertos, but I have yet to find a speaker other then the Dali towers that handled the fast pianos as well as the Dali Concepts did. Trust me the strength of Energy speakers is not in Symphonies and concertas/sonatas either, like MA, PSB, Paradigm, B&W etc, they can all play them decently, but when next to a higher class speaker, their flaws do show up as you A/B the speakers.... BUT what do you expect from a speaker that is $500 ea or so, they cannot be perfect... but like Energys, if I play blues, Jazz or Rock/alternative or Hip Hop on them, they excel really well and people are always amazed at them,.... but I rarely play Symphonies on them unless I am alone... why show off their weak side??????

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by callas01

Actually I wouldn't classify them in the same category either. And that is not what I meant by that either.... I think you mis-read what I was saying... Just that Hamp prefers a sound that is not laidback like the Energys..... the MAs like you said are a little hot, but not bright. Klipsch on the other hand is bright. My point was just I think Hamp likes that side of the audio spectrum better then the laidback or warmer sounds....


I think you think I dislike the MAs because theyre bright, and in all actuallity, I love the MAs, they are too forward for what I would want to own personally, but I think anyone that is thinking Paradigm, Kef, B&W, Klipsch, almost have to hear the MAs. I don't find the MAs fatiguing at all, in fact I really like them and I always try to get people to hear them when someone asks about what to audition.

Over time, I have found that I do like the neutral to nuetral-warm sound. Which is why Totem, Dynaudio and Energy as well as PSB all appeal to me. I personally find that Monitor Audio is on the other side of neutral, but that doesn't mean they are bright. If you read the review I wrote of the RS6s, I really liked them, I did point out some of their minor flaws, but overall, I gave them a great reveiw as I think they are a great speaker.

I understand that, and definitely think all speakers deserve an audition. I hardly recommend speakers anymore, because it is a very personal journey. I have heard the Dyns, Dalis, PSBs, Energys, Paradigms, etc. What it all comes down to is personal preference. We all love this, well at least I do, and would love for people just getting into it to have a very uncolored presentation starting off.

Thanks for the shared love of a great hobby Steve. We need more people like us out there.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by HAMP

That I don't get, I hear the 805 and love it, this receiver is truly has an neutral sound, it's not colored in any form, especially not lacking. I really want to call it true to the source sound. I'm sure which ones you have heard, if they have the Burr-Brown DAC in them or not. I know onkyo was going back and forth with using them.

Hamp I understand what Steve says as experienced it for myself. I heard the 807 with some KEF IQ50 and the seaker sounded dead flat without dynamics what so ever I understand they are not the most dynamic speakers out there but also lacked detailed.

I thaught maybe you know let's try this on another receiver and wow to my surprise those speaker sounded coherent with alot more puch and far superior definition in the upper end when it was hooked up to an HK3600 10 minutes after listening to them on the Onkyo.

I'm not a hater but they are not to musical to my ears athough they perform very well in HT.

Steve BTW first time I heard the Sttaf was on a Integra Receiver with an Integra cd player and it sounded good. I have been told by 2 dealers so far that Integra is a step up to Onkyo.

One thing though is Onkyo / Integra has the best Video processing out there on the higher end models with the HQV chip.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by JasonR

I understand that, and definitely think all speakers deserve an audition. I hardly recommend speakers anymore, because it is a very personal journey. I have heard the Dyns, Dalis, PSBs, Energys, Paradigms, etc. What it all comes down to is personal preference. We all love this, well at least I do, and would love for people just getting into it to have a very uncolored presentation starting off.

Thanks for the shared love of a great hobby Steve. We need more people like us out there.

Oh yeah, I love HT/2-channel music, it grows on me everyday still. Its nice to talk with you again about it all. Its sometime hard to get through your thoughts as you type. However I love this hobby and struggle when someone wants a $2500 HDTV and then $500 audio... I find the audio side to be my favorite esp as I grow my music collection. I have thought of Vinyl, and SACD, but I think I am gonna stick with just 2-channel...

I try to recommend to people to really listen to everything, because like you said its hard to recommend something to someone... I have cautioned people that come on this Forum, HEY YOU MAY NOT LIKE ENERGY, they are too linear and laidback for some people, but I love the ballance of them, but it doesn't mean anyone else will.

the only time I really say look specifically at these is when someone says, oh I have $500 for speakers, then its a matter of best budget speaker you can find.....

I hope you saw my edits also...

If you read through you will see that I am looking to hopefully add some new stuff this spring..... once I do I am, like you, done on the audio side of things for quite some time...