The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[callas01]

Originally Posted by SSLAYERR

You know when I purchased my C8 all those years ago I will never forget the beautiful sound that was coming out of those speakers, sheer brilliance!
Went hunting to so many shops & heard so many speakers but none impressed me the way Energy did & as I said before If I ever get new speakers they will also be ENERGY

When I bought my Energys, I pretty much blind bought them in a way. I had heard Energys, just not the ones I ended up buying. I was trying to get the wife to let me get the CF-50s, but the WAF was nil, she wasn't going for a $1K set of speakers. I saw these C-300s for $250/pr and the C-C100 for $113, and convinced the wife to let me do it. The first time I put on music, I was alone, about 40 minutes after I got home. I was amazed at the sound compared to the old Sony tower speakers I bought.
When my wife came home from the store that night I had it all set up and music playing. I was giving my daughters a bath and she only said, "wow, this is awesome." Which I thought meant becuase I was actually giving them a bath.... She had me playing music all night, something we never did. For 3 days, pretty much everytime I came home she had a CD or BLU Music on playing something. 3 days after having the C-300s and C-C100 she asked me to buy the C-100 rears.
These are about the only speakers I could tell someone to blind buy because there is no way you can't love Energy speakers.

[Yautja]

Originally Posted by callas01

These are about the only speakers I could tell someone to blind buy because there is no way you can't love Energy speakers.

Yes, I fully agree with you mate

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

Me too.

What I like best about Energy speakers is that the sound is balanced in a way that you can use them for everything, all the time, and not get annoyed.

For example, Polk speakers sound ok to me in short listening sessions, (although usually lack in low end extention compared to their equal in price Energy counterparts), but when I have to listen to Polks for extended periods of time (and I have on different models) I start to notice this sort of twang sound in the highs, and the highs start to irritate me. Silk tweeters I think. I would have thought the highs would be more annoying on aluminum tweets but I was wrong.

Anyway, I use my Energys for everything, regular tv, movies, sports, music, video games. I don't use my tv's built in speakers ever, and I can crank the volume to ridiculous levels without it ever seeming annoyingly unbalanced.

I'm also a big fan of my Energy ESW v10 sub. It's really an under-rated sub, (probably because it's so expensive most of the time. )But if you get it on sale or something, it's one hell of a 10 inch sub. Dominates the average 12". Not too far off from the popular SVS pb10nsd in low end extention, same power ampilfier, but better in overall SQ and tightness, and cosmetics and in price if you look around. It's a much better than average sub for home theater in most rooms, but just phenomenal for music. My c-500s tapering off at 60hz to my v10, sound so much better for music than what you'd expect from speakers in that price range. The s10.3 was a good sub too, but not quite as "musical".

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Me too.

What I like best about Energy speakers is that the sound is balanced in a way that you can use them for everything, all the time, and not get annoyed.

For example, Polk speakers sound ok to me in short listening sessions, (although usually lack in low end extention compared to their equal in price Energy counterparts), but when I have to listen to Polks for extended periods of time (and I have on different models) I start to notice this sort of stwang sound in the highs, and the highs start to irritate me. Silk tweeters I think. I would have thought the highs would be more annoying on aluminum tweets but I was wrong.

Anyway, I use my Energys for everything, regular tv, movies, sports, music, video games. I don't use my tv's built in speakers ever, and I can crank the volume to ridiculous levels without it ever seeming annoyingly unbalanced.

I'm also a big fan of my Energy ESW v10 sub. It's really an under-rated sub, (probably because it's so expensive most of the time. )But if you get it on sale or something, it's one hell of a 10 inch sub. Dominates the average 12". Not too far off from the popular SVS pb10nsd in low end extention, same power ampilfier, but better in overall SQ and tightness, and cosmetics and in price if you look around. It's a much better than average sub for home theater in most rooms, but just phenomenal for music. My c-500s tapering off at 60hz to my v10, sound so much better than what you'd expect from speakers in that price range. The s10.3 was a good sub too, but not quite as "musical".

Thats a very good write up mate you got it but the fact that they use Silk dome tweeter I'm not sure if it's really the root cause of their sound cause listening to JL audio XR Aluminum vs VR Silk gave more highs to the XR. I guess thats the result of the entire enginering behind the whole thing that makes them sound the way they do but yes Energy is very well balance. Lets not forget here that B&W is using Diamond in their highest end model what kind of sound will that give I guess it really has alot to do with the entire design of the driver itself and not just the dome.

Anyways it's hard to pin point one thing in particular we would have to try the same energy tweeter with a silk dome to really compare but I guess it ain't possible.

We all Agree that Energy makes amazing speakers and are almost untouchable in their respectable Price range.

The ESW-V10 is quite amazing I have to admit it is indeed more musical than the S10.3 which sold cheaper than the V10.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

but the fact that they use Silk dome tweeter I'm not sure if it's really the root cause of their sound cause listening to JL audio XR Aluminum vs VR Silk gave more highs to the XR. I guess thats the result of the entire enginering behind the whole thing that makes them sound the way they do

Yeah, that's sort of what I meant when I said "but I was wrong".

I was expecting a brighter harsher sound on the aluminum vs silk, but because of the superior imo design of the speaker, it wasn't the case.

[BigAl87]

First, I had a little setup with an old shool Technics receiver Dolby Surrond Pro Logic trough analog Stereo with old school Speakers with 10 inch woofers inside, Bose V201 as surrounds.

I was missing a Center, Decided to buy one and I already knew Energy after earing their ad on the local radio "Energy sub woofers for bass you can hear and feel!". Asked the guy at loacal FS what he had on special. Had the C-C100 on liquidation for 89$. Wow Sold.

1 week later amp died on me, got HK 240 in Liquidation for 275$ and S10.3 for 275$.

I see online C-100 for 99$ at FS again buy that, used them as fronts and bose as surrounds, so I have 5.1 with Energy Fronts and center plus the Sub.

I go in store at FS 2 weeks later see all thats left as C-200 Floor model, after dealing with the manager got em for 99$ so now a 7.1 with bose as surronud and Energy c-100 back. Setup the C-200 as Fronts.

Same week, I got in the same FS and see a single C-R100, ask the salesman you think you have another one like that, he looks in the system, "I have 2 in stock", Finally finds the other one but grill is damaged, nothing major so got em for 35$ a pop. I fixed the grill, looks new.

So I sold the bose. Here I am 7.1 Energy. Realizing long time ago that the whole line was on liquidation I had the C-500 in my crosshair. I had baught the c-200 at 75% off. I walked in my local FS I see the last C-500 Floor model, show the salesman the invoice I had from another FS for the C-200. "I want those for 100$ each 75% off same as the c-200". He asks his store manager and he said yes, I said YES!. I sold the spare C-200 for the same price I paid.

Voilà. This Audio setup cost me a grand total of 1020$ CND

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Yeah, that's sort of what I meant when I said "but I was wrong".

I was expecting a brighter harsher sound on the aluminum vs silk, but because of the superior imo design of the speaker, it wasn't the case.

Indeed you were right to expect harsher sound but harsher than Polk would be a nightmare, I guess it's a good thing in their case they use silk.

I'm not a polk basher they are good speakers when you start to compare well Energy is ahead in many aspects. Unlike Bose, Polk put some effort and enginnering in developping their products.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

WOW!

Those are ridiculous prices.

You got the c-500s for $200 for the PAIR???

and the c-200s for $100 for the PAIR?

that is awesome.

I paid $400 for my c-500s (which includes a 9 year extended warranty from FS), and I thought that was good. Reular price was $900 at the time. $200 for my c-200s, and c-300s, and $400 tax included for my esw v10 which currently sells for just under $900.

For the 7.1 setup I used to have before I put the c-200s in the computer room it costs me a total of about $1750. CND My reciever is a Yamaha htr 6160. I was going to go with an Onkyo 606 but according to all the reviews I read at the time the Yamaha put out a bit better SQ even though the 606 was superior feature wise. and the Onkyo tends to get real hot.

My original setup started with Bose 301 series IIIs as fronts I got used and cheap, replaced those with Energy c-200 and put the bose as surrounds. Then I got Energy c-300s for $200, bumped the 200s to surrounds and Bose to rears. Then I got the c-500s for a full 7.1 Energy setup.

Now I just have a 5.1 setup in the living room, as there isn't enough discrete 6.1, let alone 7.1 audio available anyway, and my room really wasn't large enough. My c-300s make great surrounds though.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

First, I had a little setup with an old shool Technics receiver Dolby Surrond Pro Logic trough analog Stereo with old school Speakers with 10 inch woofers inside, Bose V201 as surrounds.

I was missing a Center, Decided to buy one and I already knew Energy after earing their ad on the local radio "Energy sub woofers for bass you can hear and feel!". Asked the guy at loacal FS what he had on special. Had the C-C100 on liquidation for 89$. Wow Sold.

1 week later amp died on me, got HK 240 in Liquidation for 275$ and S10.3 for 275$.

I see online C-100 for 99$ at FS again buy that, used them as fronts and bose as surrounds, so I have 5.1 with Energy Fronts and center plus the Sub.

I go in store at FS 2 weeks later see all thats left as C-200 Floor model, after dealing with the manager got em for 99$ so now a 7.1 with bose as surronud and Energy c-100 back. Setup the C-200 as Fronts.

Same week, I got in the same FS and see a single C-R100, ask the salesman you think you have another one like that, he looks in the system, "I have 2 in stock", Finally finds the other one but grill is damaged, nothing major so got em for 35$ a pop. I fixed the grill, looks new.

So I sold the bose. Here I am 7.1 Energy. Realizing long time ago that the whole line was on liquidation I had the C-500 in my crosshair. I had baught the c-200 at 75% off. I walked in my local FS I see the last C-500 Floor model, show the salesman the invoice I had from another FS for the C-200. "I want those for 100$ each 75% off same as the c-200". He asks his store manager and he said yes, I said YES!. I sold the spare C-200 for the same price I paid.

Voilà. This Audio setup cost me a grand total of 1020$ CND

Wow...that is a great deal. I kinda want to sell my C-300s and get C-500s, or just get RC-30s and an RC-LCR.... I don't think the Wife will go for it though. I paid $516 USD total for my Energys, and then $160 for the sub.. but your deal is off the chain.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

I kinda want to sell my C-300s and get C-500s

Why not just get c-500s and use the 300s as surround?

The RC idea is good as well.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Why not just get c-500s and use the 300s as surround?

The RC idea is good as well.

Litterally there is no space in my home for rear floorstanders.... although I did think about putting them in my bedroom...

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Why not just get c-500s and use the 300s as surround?

The RC idea is good as well.

I guess as per recommandation from THX it's better to have bookshelves as surround as they are also easier to mount 2 feet above your ears.

In my future house when I get the dedicated home theather room I will put the surrounds somewhere above my ears. i KEPT THE c-100 OVER the C-200 for surround and honestly they are absolutely great.

And yes the pair of 500 cost me 200$
the C-200 were liquidated at 149.97 but got a floor model in almost mint condition for 99$

Best deal I got was the C-R100 for 35$ each, lmao that was a steal.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

I guess as per recommandation from THX it's better to have bookshelves as surround as they are also easier to mount 2 feet above your ears.

It's ONLY better if your going to mount them. If not the lower bass extention aloud by floor standers could allow you to set your crossover on your reciever lower thereby permitting superior blending into the subwoofer.

Optimally, bookshelve's with the largest woofer size available in the series would generate the best overall performance. Smaller woofer = less bass extention and inferior low to mids and = higher crossover setting = inferior blending into sub. In the c-series we're limited by cc-100 center anyway though which has the same woofer size as the c-100s.

I would have kept the c-200s over c-100s for surround.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

What I like best about Energy speakers is that the sound is balanced in a way that you can use them for everything, all the time, and not get annoyed.

Anyway, I use my Energys for everything, regular tv, movies, sports, music, video games. I don't use my tv's built in speakers ever, and I can crank the volume to ridiculous levels without it ever seeming annoyingly unbalanced.

I agree, I use my Energys for everything, their is no sound coming from my TV speakers in the living room. My speakers are on a lot too and they never become annoying... I love them.

How much lower does the C-500 get over the C-300? is there a noticeable "Thump" or is it not too noticeable?

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

How much lower does the C-500 get over the C-300? is there a noticeable "Thump" or is it not too noticeable?

It's not too noticeable, especially if you use a subwoofer. If you're using a sub and your crossover on your receiver is set to 60hz or 80hz then the c-500s won't really make a huge difference for you as far as reaching lower frequences. However, because the c-500's have an extra woofer pushing air, there is more dynamic range.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

It's ONLY better if your going to mount them. If not the lower bass extention aloud by floor standers could allow you to set your crossover on your reciever lower thereby permitting superior blending into the subwoofer.

Optimally, bookshelve's with the largest woofer size available in the series would generate the best overall performance. Smaller woofer = less bass extention and inferior low to mids and = higher crossover setting = inferior blending into sub. In the c-series we're limited by cc-100 center anyway though which has the same woofer size as the c-100s.

I would have kept the c-200s over c-100s for surround.

It's crazy how that makes sense but c-100 woofer size also match the C-R100 woofer size, I chose C-100 over the 200 just for the space and honestly my friend has C-200 as surround may blend a bit better with the fronts but all in all the difference is minimal. a big 7hz 55hz vs 48hz. Setting the X-over to 60 does not seem to affect the c-100 performance.

You are right though matching woofer size is the ultimate acheivable performance but companies like Jamo are using different driver size in their center. Energy is now matching their tower speaker size to their center.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

It's crazy how that makes sense but c-100 woofer size also match the C-R100 woofer size, I chose C-100 over the 200 just for the space and honestly my friend has C-200 as surround may blend a bit better with the fronts but all in all the difference is minimal. a big 7hz 55hz vs 48hz. Setting the X-over to 60 does not seem to affect the c-100 performance.

Ya, I'm not saying the c-100s won't sound great or that 200s are worth paying much more money for or anything, I'm just saying since you already had the speaker with the larger woofer, I would have kept them, at least in a 5.1 setup, but I see now that you wanted to match them to your rears. The bigger woofer will handle some of the mids better too, not just extend lower.

Myself I plan to wall mount my c-200s in my living room for a 5.1 setup and then put my c-300s in the computer room, but my living room is sort of awkwardly shaped and it will take some time and effort to accomplish this.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Dylan_Hunt

Ya, I'm not saying the c-100s won't sound great or that 200s are worth paying much more money for or anything, I'm just saying since you already had the speaker with the larger woofer, I would have kept them, at least in a 5.1 setup, but I see now that you wanted to match them to your rears. The bigger woofer will handle some of the mids better too, not just extend lower.

Myself I plan to wall mount my c-200s in my living room for a 5.1 setup and then put my c-300s in the computer room, but my living room is sort of awkwardly shaped and it will take some time and effort to accomplish this.

Oh well c-200 are gone and I had paid the same price for them.

There is no mentionned on a 7.1 setup on mounting the back surrounds above the listener ears so you could ultimately use your C-300 as back Surrounds in a new Living room hehe.

Me I will use bipole as surround eventually mounted 2 feet above my ears slightly behind me and put the C-100 as Back Surrounds.

We all say the same things but it's always nice to bring up some key points. In alot of case because of our home limitations we have to break some rules.

Anyways I hope you folks all enjoy your Energy speakers the way I do

Hey! Cpt_Dylan_Hunt could you post some pics we'd all like to see your setup.

[Cpt_Dylan_Hunt]

Done.

Oh, and incase your wondering, I have 2 xbox 360s. One in the living room and one in the computer room which is where I'm typing this right now.

[jjmbxkb]

Originally Posted by SSLAYERR

Yes, I fully agree with you mate

+1 from me.

Upon advice from Callas01, I listened to Energy speakers, and ended up ordering RC70's. What's great about these is that the whole family seems to like it, while each of the other ones I was auditioning had certain things that someone did not like.

Vanns just shipped my RC70's. Really excited to eventually put them into the basement HT, which will be constructed very soon. Now I have to quickly finalize the room layout, which will somewhat depends on how much clearance I need to give to these towers.

1. I've read multiple times that one got to really place them away from the wall because of the rear ports. I've heard 18" is the minimum. What's the reason for that? Any experiences with smaller clearance, like 12"?

2. What effects does the provided rear port plugs have?

3. Will adding sound absorbing panel on the front wall and bass traps at the corner help reduce the required clearance?

Thanks very much.