The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[Raiders12]

Thanks for the input guys! *Commence speaker shopping*

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by Raiders12

Thanks for the input guys! *Commence speaker shopping*

You really should note the CF-30's are super small for floorstanding speakers (for me that's a tad bit of a disappointment, but at $200 a piece I don't think I can complain hah).

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

You really should note the CF-30's are super small for floorstanding speakers (for me that's a tad bit of a disappointment, but at $200 a piece I don't think I can complain hah).

Paul, look at his gallery, there is no place that the CF30s would fit...

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

Paul, look at his gallery, there is no place that the CF30s would fit...

...

I looked at his gallery. It doesn't show the picture of the entire room. For example, if I showed you a picture of my setup before I put in my CF-30's, you'd say there was no room. The CF-30's are 7 inches wide and 35.5 inches tall. They're hardly large at all.

Anyways it was just a comment...

[Raiders12]

Im not really looking for floorstanding yet. I could make it work with some re-arranging but just no time right now. Id rather just get smallish bookshelfs which would be moved to rears later

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by Raiders12

Im not really looking for floorstanding yet. I could make it work with some re-arranging but just no time right now. Id rather just get smallish bookshelfs which would be moved to rears later

That makes enough sense. I'm just really happy with the speakers so I thought I'd throw that out there :P

Uhhh question to someone:

What would you say a pair of Energy CF-70 speakers, used in perfect condition would be worth? I've offered on someone's speakers on my local craigslist (it would be absolutely awesome if I could turn my CF-30's into right/left surrounds and run CF-70's as front right/lefts). He listed them at $600 and I offered $400. The problem currently is with my RC-Minis which are my current surround r/l, I hear the change in the tone (the RC's bring all the sounds parallel to each other with equal detail, whereas the CF's layer the sound a bit differently).

Anyways, I want to get a great deal. What do you think a pair of CF-70's should sell for if they're in decent used quality?

[callas01]

The CF-70s to me where much better then the CF-50s, they offered more mid-range, and output, plus the bass had more weight. Compared to the CF-30s, the CF-70s are a major step up, IMO. I think $600 is a good price, but if you could get them for $500 why not.... why is he selling them?

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

The CF-70s to me where much better then the CF-50s, they offered more mid-range, and output, plus the bass had more weight. Compared to the CF-30s, the CF-70s are a major step up, IMO. I think $600 is a good price, but if you could get them for $500 why not.... why is he selling them?

He didn't say. I'm emailing him and he said the lowest he'll go is $440. So I said that works for me.

So hopefully he is good for the deal. I'll have to drive about an hour and 15 minutes to pick them up, and that same amount back home. So there's an extra $20 in gas lol.

I asked him to have them ready to demo to make sure there's no damage. I guess I'll have to ask why he's selling them as well. Any tips on examining used speakers? I mean, checking sound to make sure the lows sound right, the highs and mids sound right, and there's no rattling. Examining the woofers to make sure there's no damage. Examining the frame to make sure nothing was split open etc. Examining the tweeter to make sure it wasn't dinted or something. Other than that, idk what else to look at. It's probably a good thing that I own CF-30's so I know generally how the speakers should sound.

I thought the CF-70, CF-50, and CF-30 all shared the same tweeter and combined mid-range woofer at the top? Isn't it only the two lower woofers which vary between the models?

Anyways, I'll be glad to have this setup:

2x CF-70 fronts
2x CF-30 surrounds
1x CC-10 middle
1x ESW-C8 subwoofer
(my 520-k receiver says it can do 7.1 if I get an external amplifier for the other 2 surrounds, not sure if it's a good idea though and idk what external amps are)

The funny thing is I actually bought some speakers originally because I got the RC-Minis as gifts. And now after a month's time I'm cycling them out. Is that part of the audiophile complex? Lol. >_<; Unless if I can set them up as rears, the RC-Minis will be cycled out.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

He didn't say. I'm emailing him and he said the lowest he'll go is $440. So I said that works for me.

So hopefully he is good for the deal. I'll have to drive about an hour and 15 minutes to pick them up, and that same amount back home. So there's an extra $20 in gas lol.

I asked him to have them ready to demo to make sure there's no damage. I guess I'll have to ask why he's selling them as well. Any tips on examining used speakers? I mean, checking sound to make sure the lows sound right, the highs and mids sound right, and there's no rattling. Examining the woofers to make sure there's no damage. Examining the frame to make sure nothing was split open etc. Examining the tweeter to make sure it wasn't dinted or something. Other than that, idk what else to look at. It's probably a good thing that I own CF-30's so I know generally how the speakers should sound.

I thought the CF-70, CF-50, and CF-30 all shared the same tweeter and combined mid-range woofer at the top? Isn't it only the two lower woofers which vary between the models?

Anyways, I'll be glad to have this setup:

2x CF-70 fronts
2x CF-30 surrounds
1x CC-10 middle
1x ESW-C8 subwoofer
(my 520-k receiver says it can do 7.1 if I get an external amplifier for the other 2 surrounds, not sure if it's a good idea though and idk what external amps are)

The funny thing is I actually bought some speakers originally because I got the RC-Minis as gifts. And now after a month's time I'm cycling them out. Is that part of the audiophile complex? Lol. >_<; Unless if I can set them up as rears, the RC-Minis will be cycled out.

make sure the binding posts aren't damaged, you should know if they are damaged or not.

No they are not the same exact speakers, they do use the same tweeter and mid-range woofer, but they have different crossovers, and the crossover on the CF-70s is a traditional 3-way, not the tapered style that the CF50s and CF30s have. The mid-range should be more clear and detailed. the sound is also fuller, as there is a good deal more output and bottom end on the CF70s

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

make sure the binding posts aren't damaged, you should know if they are damaged or not.

No they are not the same exact speakers, they do use the same tweeter and mid-range woofer, but they have different crossovers, and the crossover on the CF-70s is a traditional 3-way, not the tapered style that the CF50s and CF30s have. The mid-range should be more clear and detailed. the sound is also fuller, as there is a good deal more output and bottom end on the CF70s

I see. Alright I'll check that stuff. I mean if the posts are damaged, they can be repaired easily though right? Speaking theoretically.

And now you're making me want these CF-70's even more

[callas01]

you might need a new receiver to get enough power for those speakers, the CF70s I read like a lot of power, and an entry level receiver won't be enough, Id say get an Refurb Onkyo 707 or Marantz 5003.

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

you might need a new receiver to get enough power for those speakers, the CF70s I read like a lot of power, and an entry level receiver won't be enough, Id say get an Refurb Onkyo 707 or Marantz 5003.

Definitely cannot afford a new receiver after purchasing these

My receiver does power 110W per channel. Shouldn't that be decent? >_<; Pioneer 520-k

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

Definitely cannot afford a new receiver after purchasing these

My receiver does power 110W per channel. Shouldn't that be decent? >_<; Pioneer 520-k

With all due respect your receiver is not exactly 110wpc, It does it with one channel driven. If it would do 110 wpc all channel driven you be talking at a 1300 to 2000$ Pioneer and even at those price ssometimes it's less than that. Truly that would be great for those speakers but the 2 receivers Callas suggested are great but again me I was not so impressed by the Onkyo 807 so the 707 is not better. I think you would need 2 generation back woth the 706 or the 806 to get great power ratings, the Marantz have Better Power Supplies in case you go ahead with a new receiver later down th road.


I'd say you could do the move and upgrade the receiver down the road but I doon't think you will notice a huge benefit right away altho the difference should be nice. At 500$ I would say go for it. Hell Even 600$ is great since you don't have to pay taxes.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

Definitely cannot afford a new receiver after purchasing these

My receiver does power 110W per channel. Shouldn't that be decent? >_<; Pioneer 520-k

the true power of that receiver will probably be about 25-40 wpc when running 5 or more channels. they test receivers by inputing a signal into one channel usually the left and testing the output in watts, so each amp internally @ 1khz @ 1meter/2.83 volts @ 8 ohm measures 120 watts. A Pio 520 consumes 240 watts of power from the outlet, and weighing 19 pounds puts out 120 x7? Then you take the Marantz 5005, it consumes 650 watts of power from the outlet and weighs 27 lbs and puts out 100 x7, which when tested is closer to about 70x5 and 65x7. The pioneer doesn't have enough power consumption to output that many WPC all channels driven.

Does that make sense?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

the true power of that receiver will probably be about 25-40 wpc when running 5 or more channels. they test receivers by inputing a signal into one channel usually the left and testing the output in watts, so each amp internally @ 1khz @ 1meter/2.83 volts @ 8 ohm measures 120 watts. A Pio 520 consumes 240 watts of power from the outlet, and weighing 19 pounds puts out 120 x7? Then you take the Marantz 5005, it consumes 650 watts of power from the outlet and weighs 27 lbs and puts out 100 x7, which when tested is closer to about 70x5 and 65x7. The pioneer doesn't have enough power consumption to output that many WPC all channels driven.

Does that make sense?

Well Explained Steve

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

the true power of that receiver will probably be about 25-40 wpc when running 5 or more channels. they test receivers by inputing a signal into one channel usually the left and testing the output in watts, so each amp internally @ 1khz @ 1meter/2.83 volts @ 8 ohm measures 120 watts. A Pio 520 consumes 240 watts of power from the outlet, and weighing 19 pounds puts out 120 x7? Then you take the Marantz 5005, it consumes 650 watts of power from the outlet and weighs 27 lbs and puts out 100 x7, which when tested is closer to about 70x5 and 65x7. The pioneer doesn't have enough power consumption to output that many WPC all channels driven.

Does that make sense?

Makes perfect sense. However I wish sense wasn't dictating how well I can drive my speakers in this case

Thanks for the explanation.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

Makes perfect sense. However I wish sense wasn't dictating how well I can drive my speakers in this case

Thanks for the explanation.

don't mean to bring you down.... just need to be informed.... trust me... I have learned the hard way too.

the receiver I have now doesn't consume enough power to push my speakers the way I need them to be pushed....

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

don't mean to bring you down.... just need to be informed.... trust me... I have learned the hard way too.

the receiver I have now doesn't consume enough power to push my speakers the way I need them to be pushed....

At lower sound levels will they sound alright though? I generally don't play sound too loud. Or does the lack of power cause a problem at all sound levels?

Thanks for the information. Guess I'll be looking to upgrade my receiver one day. Just don't want to end up getting a $500+ receiver. Already my speaker system is going to be $2132 after everything (if I buy those CF-70's for $440), of course $400 of that calculation (counting them as $400 after taxes) is the RC-Minis which won't be a part of the setup. With a new receiver I'm guessing I'd be treading close to 3 grand which is wayyyy more than I ever thought I'd be putting into speakers. In fact I didn't intend to even reach 1 grand. Heh. Good sound is good sound though I guess.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

At lower sound levels will they sound alright though? I generally don't play sound too loud. Or does the lack of power cause a problem at all sound levels?

Thanks for the information. Guess I'll be looking to upgrade my receiver one day. Just don't want to end up getting a $500+ receiver. Already my speaker system is going to be $2132 after everything (if I buy those CF-70's for $440), of course $400 of that calculation (counting them as $400 after taxes) is the RC-Minis which won't be a part of the setup. With a new receiver I'm guessing I'd be treading close to 3 grand which is wayyyy more than I ever thought I'd be putting into speakers. In fact I didn't intend to even reach 1 grand. Heh. Good sound is good sound though I guess.

well.... let me say this, do what I am doing, sell your current receiver, and sell the RC-minis.... then use that money maybe about $300-400 total... then buy this receiver.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

It wont have HDMI 1.4, but if you do get into 3D, just get a BDP with dual HDMI outputs and run one to the TV and the other to the receiver....

Trust me, I never thought I would spend $3k on 3 speakers and a receiver.... neither did the wife. However by the time I am done, I think I will be about $5500 on just the audio side of my upgrades. Then what to do about the TV! My wife is gonna kill me when I bring that up to her.

[callas01]

PS. We need pics.