The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Big Z

Does anyone know how to test the performance level of a center channel?

I think the center channel of my take 5 set isn't performing to the level it was just a week ago. I've owned and been using them for 8 months now. I heard a crackle during a screaming scene, and it hasn't seemed the same since (or my mind is simply playing tricks on me. The front sound stage sounds significantly quieter when the audio is dead center. Nothing in my system has changed, and sound still comes out of the center channel, both highs and lows as far as I could tell. Any ideas or suggestions?

you can buy a disk that will test the frequency ranges, I believe Digital Video Essentials for Blu-ray has test tones... or use the internal test tones on your receiver, only on my receiver the tones are static sounding, so I don't know if yours will be the same and if that will offer any help

can you put your receiver in MONO mode and just have all the audio through the center channel? or disconnect the other speakers and run your auto calibration for 1 speaker and then test on music or tv or something....

[callas01]

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

However, fiberglass based speaker cones offer a non-resonant type material compared to kevlar. Thus, they may sound more neutral or natural. But you do have a point about the disadvantage of the higher weight and flexibility of fiberglass that gives kevlar the edge for better transient repsonse and less tendency for the cone to deform or change shape when pushed to the limit. Also the elliptical shape of the kevlar cone would help prevent that too. Yes, crossover design can make a difference if they use high quality non electrolytic type caps and low loss inductors. What I don't like about most Energy speakers is that the crossover to the tweeters is around 2.4K or 2.5 KHz, or 3.0 KHz. Our ears are very sensitive to dips or peaks caused by passive crossovers in that range. It would have been better to have it at 0.8 KHz to 1.5 KHz or higher up in 5.0 K to 6.0 KHz. The C-series have a mild dip at 2.5 KHz which can be compensated with a little EQ in the AVR. Better crossover design may have the boost for that dip built-in, perhaps the RC series does.

very true...

but isn't that what the crossover slopes and the order for, so that we don't detect the peaks and valleys in those frequencies?

And it seems that most MFGs use a crossover at about 1.8-3.0 hz, so I would expect that they have worked that out in the crossover design.

[Monkey]

good ideas, or plug the center speaker into the left or right speakers slot to check it out.

[BigAl87]

Guys Seriously Have you look closely at the drivers on the CF, does not look like Fiberglass to me nor Kevlar. Did you just assume they were the same material then the older Conoisseurs?

Not sure what it is but but touching it felt nothing like figerglass and there is no mention of what material is really used in the construction of the driver.

[Big Z]

Callas and Monkey, thanks for your ideas. I'll give them each a run through and see what I can discover.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Guys Seriously Have you look closely at the drivers on the CF, does not look like Fiberglass to me nor Kevlar. Did you just assume they were the same material then the older Conoisseurs?

Not sure what it is but but touching it felt nothing like figerglass and there is no mention of what material is really used in the construction of the driver.

Are you talking to me and Rwo?????

I know what you mean tho.... I think I am gonna call Energy and ask....

I think it could be the same material that they used in the veritas 2.3/2.4s..... looks pretty close..

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

Are you talking to me and Rwo?????

I know what you mean tho.... I think I am gonna call Energy and ask....

I think it could be the same material that they used in the veritas 2.3/2.4s..... looks pretty close..

Yes I am, I just did not bother quoting you 2 guys but really I do not believe they are Fiberglass drivers. FYI just in case you did not know our Conoisseurs are Paper Cone reinforced with fiberglass on top. Not that it matters that much the Rainmaker is also paper cone.

[callas01]

paper woofers are making a huge comeback as of late.........

[callas01]

Oliver, you should join us in the HT Gallery forum, my thread has had a lot of talk about subs, tubes and speakers plus whatever....

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

paper woofers are making a huge comeback as of late.........

They use different techniques also to make them stronger and let's keep in mind it's extremely light.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by callas01

very true...

but isn't that what the crossover slopes and the order for, so that we don't detect the peaks and valleys in those frequencies?

And it seems that most MFGs use a crossover at about 1.8-3.0 hz, so I would expect that they have worked that out in the crossover design.

The reason why so many popular brand name speakers like Energy have a crossover at around 2.5 KHz for 2-way speakers is because many dome type tweeters have a resonant frequency at around 1000 Hz give or take a few hz.

As a general rule of thumb one would want the midrange driver or tweeter to crossover at least two octaves above resonance for a 1st order or at least one octave above for a 2nd or 3rd order. A tweeter will likely burnout besides being awful peaky if the crossover frequency is too close to resonance especially if it's a 1st order.

Energy doesn't really have much choice in their 2 way and 2.5 way speakers but to use a 1 kHz to 3 kHz crossover between their 5.25 in or 6.5 in woofers and Al dome tweeters. But what's really puzzling to me is that the RC-70, a full blown 3 way speaker, has a midrange driver covering 500 Hz-3 kHz. Why not just go all the way out to 5 kHz, and thus avoid having a crossover in the critical 500 Hz - 5 kHz? There's no point in having a 3-way speaker at all if it doesn't at least do that.

[patwrightjr]

ok so im still debating what to get the RC-30 or 50??? For the money im sure the 30 is a better deal but ive got other issues as well...I have a One year old daughter and im affraid she'll be able to push over a set of 30's, but what about the 50's, i know the footprint is just an inch of two bigger but the 50 is also a couple inches taller so this 50 may push over just as easy?? Also it seems that the 50 could sound a bit better cause the tweeter height is just at ear level where the 30 would be below ear level? What do you guys think, im sure id be happy with the sound of the 30 but would it be able to be knocked down easier?? The 30 weighs 41lbs and the 50 weighs 51lbs.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by patwrightjr

ok so im still debating what to get the RC-30 or 50??? For the money im sure the 30 is a better deal but ive got other issues as well...I have a One year old daughter and im affraid she'll be able to push over a set of 30's, but what about the 50's, i know the footprint is just an inch of two bigger but the 50 is also a couple inches taller so this 50 may push over just as easy?? Also it seems that the 50 could sound a bit better cause the tweeter height is just at ear level where the 30 would be below ear level? What do you guys think, im sure id be happy with the sound of the 30 but would it be able to be knocked down easier?? The 30 weighs 41lbs and the 50 weighs 51lbs.

I wouldn't worry about them knocking over the speakers. I have a 6, 3 and a newborn. My speakers weigh about 36 lbs each and they have never been knocked over that I know about. One thing I did was tell them not to touch the speakers or subwoofers.... they all know not to and don't. I even have mine on the spikes and discs that go underneath the spikes, if anything I would think that would make them less stable, then just them sitting on the bass plate.

I think for you, you shouldn't worry, and just get the ones you really want. Also look at the size of your room. If its a bigger room then get the 50s, if its rather small the 30s should do just fine for you.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by callas01

I wouldn't worry about them knocking over the speakers. I have a 6, 3 and a newborn. My speakers weigh about 36 lbs each and they have never been knocked over that I know about. One thing I did was tell them not to touch the speakers or subwoofers.... they all know not to and don't. I even have mine on the spikes and discs that go underneath the spikes, if anything I would think that would make them less stable, then just them sitting on the bass plate.

I think for you, you shouldn't worry, and just get the ones you really want. Also look at the size of your room. If its a bigger room then get the 50s, if its rather small the 30s should do just fine for you.

Even the newborn? The little guy's a quick learner, maybe daddy is a genius.

[patwrightjr]

ok sounds good, I won't worry as much...my room is about 15'X23'

[callas01]

don't worry Jwill.... He will know... Esp if I get some Dyns...or Totems...

[callas01]

Originally Posted by patwrightjr

ok sounds good, I won't worry as much...my room is about 15'X23'

15x23 then I would suggest to get the RC-50s, you will like the extra power and better bass, air movement, soundstage....

in a room like mine 13x15 I would say get the RC-30s

[-DLS-]

I should have waited to buy my RC-R's. I thought I got a good deal at $500 for the pair but they're on sale right now for $368cdn for the pair!!($229ea + another 20% off at checkout). Out of stock online but 4 locations have them for pick up in Edmonton.

RC-70's also on sale for $699 each. but only til tomorrow afternoon and at this time 9 pairs left..

[Lij]

Originally Posted by callas01

paper woofers are making a huge comeback as of late.........

I still have a pair of Pioneer CS-99A 5-way speakers that uses them. The largest cone being a 15 inch pressed paper-board woofer; but the speaker also has both 5 & 4 inch midranges (the dang things even have three tweeters - one horn-loaded tweeter and two half-inch 'super-tweeters'). I use them on a separate stereo system apart from my home theatre. I purchased then in back in 1975 while in college, but they still perform beautifully.

[Yautja]

Whoa, this thread has really kicked in, been a while since I visited this thread!!!!
Congratz to all the new Energy owners, simply put they are awesome speakers