The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Any horizontal ceter will have better horizontal dispersion when placed vertically so regardless of the MTM design center it's technically better vertical.

Energy had the thaught of designing the speaker in way that it would optimize both placement as much as possible but Vertical is prefered over horizontal when you can.

Gotchya.

So we returned the CF-50 (the one that looked a little beaten up) for a different one. Opening the second one up, the tower itself is great. But I noticed a slight difference: The nice thick manual that we got with my CF-30's and the first two CF-50's didn't come with this CF-50. Instead, there was just a piece of paper which was the manual. So they've downgraded from having a manual which says to break the speakers in for 100 hours and all this stuff, down to a manual which just gives you diagrams and not much else. Kinda shitty if you ask me.

Now I do wish I could convince my dad to get Veritas speakers. I told him I'd buy his CF-50's off of him. He's sort-of deciding at the moment whether to complete his Connoisseur line or buy into something else. I'll be buying CF-50's anyways, but I'm giving him the option (I live in the same house, so I'd get to enjoy really nice speakers downstairs). I don't think he'll be going for it though. He's a lawyer, he can definitely afford it, but I don't think he's someone who has as much of a taste for expensive sound.

[PaulWog]

Alright, I'm just full of questions.

With my receiver being the Pioneer 520-K, if I set up my system with two CF-50 fronts, two CF-30 surrounds, and a CC-10 center, I'll be powering it just fine for regular usage I'm sure.

However, with extended stereo mode for music listening, will my speaker setup be horribly underpowered in terms of wattage from the receiver?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

Alright, I'm just full of questions.

With my receiver being the Pioneer 520-K, if I set up my system with two CF-50 fronts, two CF-30 surrounds, and a CC-10 center, I'll be powering it just fine for regular usage I'm sure.

However, with extended stereo mode for music listening, will my speaker setup be horribly underpowered in terms of wattage from the receiver?

Should be just fine, but the speakers would benefit from more power.

Not telling you to get a new receiver now you could keep those speakers for a while using a better receiver with preouts in the future just in case you decide to add a power amp to the mix.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Should be just fine, but the speakers would benefit from more power.

Not telling you to get a new receiver now you could keep those speakers for a while using a better receiver with preouts in the future just in case you decide to add a power amp to the mix.

to add onto olivers post,

more power also adds more weight to the sound, so it sounds fuller, weak receivers give you lots of highs and mids, but struggle to put out mid-bass and esp deep bass. Having just heard the Integra receivers on my new Dyns, that is exactly what I will be adding to my speakers, more weight and depth.

You speakers are easier to drive, so while they too would greatly benefit from a receiver with more power, a lesser receiver wont' struggle as much, but as Oliver said, in the future reach for a more powerful receiver, you speakers will appreciate it, and so will you.

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Should be just fine, but the speakers would benefit from more power.

Not telling you to get a new receiver now you could keep those speakers for a while using a better receiver with preouts in the future just in case you decide to add a power amp to the mix.

Thanks, both of you

Now, how would I go about getting an amp to power my two fronts? And would that leave my receiver with a lot more ability to power my rears and center, if I have an amp powering the fronts? I can't seem to find anywhere that sells amps for home speakers (everywhere seems to just try to sell car amps). I would obviously want to maintain sound quality and not break the bank so much that I wish I got a much better receiver.

I hate thinking that I won't be getting the fullest potential out of my speakers

[callas01]

first you need a receiver that has pre-outs for more then just the subwoofer. unfortunately your receiver doesn't have them, so you would have to upgrade receivers first.

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

first you need a receiver that has pre-outs for more then just the subwoofer. unfortunately your receiver doesn't have them, so you would have to upgrade receivers first.

It does have preouts for the rear surrounds to make a 7.1. But I guess those can't be used functionally for anything but rear surrounds huh?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

It does have preouts for the rear surrounds to make a 7.1. But I guess those can't be used functionally for anything but rear surrounds huh?

That would be right one of my friend had that also on his older Kenwood.

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

That would be right one of my friend had that also on his older Kenwood.

Damn.

If I were to upgrade to a Pioneer 1019AH-K, would I be seeing better performance in my 5.1 setup? It's older, but I don't need the 3d support. Just wondering if that would be superior? It's rated at 350W total, but it's a 7.1, so if it's set up with a 5.1 instead of a 7.1, would that leave it with more power to support the 5 channels?

Here's the situation (I'm not sure whether my dad needs to upgrade from his 1019AH-K to something more expensive, but if it is determined that he should get something better, then I could trade him my 520-K for his 1019, since he just needs to set up a basic 5.1 upstairs, and my 520-K would do the trick... I'd just pay the difference). Anyway, we have a pn58c8000 58 inch 3d television downstairs, and the way we are set up, all signals are sent via HDMI into the television. The audio is then sent through optical from the tv to the receiver. The receiver only has that one thing plugged into it and that's it, just the optical. Would it be better if he gets something newer, such as the Pioneer 1025-K, so that he can route all signals through that receiver? (this has to be purchased from Futureshop due to quite a bit of money in gift cards). Currently I'm not sure whether we're only getting a 2-channel signal through the optical, and it's being upmixed, or if we're getting a lossless audio signal.

[browndk26]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Any horizontal ceter will have better horizontal dispersion when placed vertically so regardless of the MTM design center it's technically better vertical.

Energy had the thaught of designing the speaker in way that it would optimize both placement as much as possible but Vertical is prefered over horizontal when you can.

Was the C-C50 designed the same way?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

Damn.

If I were to upgrade to a Pioneer 1019AH-K, would I be seeing better performance in my 5.1 setup? It's older, but I don't need the 3d support. Just wondering if that would be superior? It's rated at 350W total, but it's a 7.1, so if it's set up with a 5.1 instead of a 7.1, would that leave it with more power to support the 5 channels?

Here's the situation (I'm not sure whether my dad needs to upgrade from his 1019AH-K to something more expensive, but if it is determined that he should get something better, then I could trade him my 520-K for his 1019, since he just needs to set up a basic 5.1 upstairs, and my 520-K would do the trick... I'd just pay the difference). Anyway, we have a pn58c8000 58 inch 3d television downstairs, and the way we are set up, all signals are sent via HDMI into the television. The audio is then sent through optical from the tv to the receiver. The receiver only has that one thing plugged into it and that's it, just the optical. Would it be better if he gets something newer, such as the Pioneer 1025-K, so that he can route all signals through that receiver? (this has to be purchased from Futureshop due to quite a bit of money in gift cards). Currently I'm not sure whether we're only getting a 2-channel signal through the optical, and it's being upmixed, or if we're getting a lossless audio signal.

Your dad should be able to connect the blu-ray player to the receiver via HDMI then from the receiver to the TV, if he owns the 1019. Yes that receiver would be better then your 520. If he upgrades receivers you should suggest that he gets the Pioneer SC-35 if they sell it. OR the VSX-33 Elite.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by browndk26

Was the C-C50 designed the same way?

Not really but would still offer better performance place vertically, would offer much better horizontal dispersion due to the frequency cancellation when placed horizontal found in many MTM center speakers altho if you always sit in the sweet spot dead center, make almost no difference.

Very Obvious tho on the C-C10 that they did intent to make the speakers to optimize as much as possible both placements.

[PaulWog]

Originally Posted by callas01

Your dad should be able to connect the blu-ray player to the receiver via HDMI then from the receiver to the TV, if he owns the 1019. Yes that receiver would be better then your 520. If he upgrades receivers you should suggest that he gets the Pioneer SC-35 if they sell it. OR the VSX-33 Elite.

What about this receiver: http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...3d7688a367en02
(if the link is down, it's the Denon 591 AVR)

The unfortunate thing is we're stuck with Futureshop for the receiver. Meaning what you suggested is out of the picture (he's also looking to spend between $400 and $700).

The main thing is we need it to be 3d ready, since our tv is 3d ready. But this one also appears to have a bit better total wattage than the current 1019.

I'm trying to talk him into going out to demo the Kef Q700 speakers. They're on sale for $1400 for a pair around here. The brand is at least not tainted by Klipsch, as far as I know.

Anyways I should start a thread rather than veering off on a tangent like this. If you can answer my question about that receiver that'd be absolutely awesome (since I trust your opinion), but I won't continue being so off-topic in this thread (went from Energy to one thing to another).

[edit]: And just one last question. How much of an improvement do you think a 1019AH-K would have over my 520-K with my Energy Connoisseur setup (yay, on-topic question). Purely talking about power output. The 1019AH-K is rated for the same power output approximately, but is rated for 7 channels and has 100W more total system power consumption. In the real world, I don't know how that would apply to my speakers (if at all).

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

What about this receiver: http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...3d7688a367en02
(if the link is down, it's the Denon 591 AVR)

The unfortunate thing is we're stuck with Futureshop for the receiver. Meaning what you suggested is out of the picture (he's also looking to spend between $400 and $700).

The main thing is we need it to be 3d ready, since our tv is 3d ready. But this one also appears to have a bit better total wattage than the current 1019.

I'm trying to talk him into going out to demo the Kef Q700 speakers. They're on sale for $1400 for a pair around here. The brand is at least not tainted by Klipsch, as far as I know.

Anyways I should start a thread rather than veering off on a tangent like this. If you can answer my question about that receiver that'd be absolutely awesome (since I trust your opinion), but I won't continue being so off-topic in this thread (went from Energy to one thing to another).

[edit]: And just one last question. How much of an improvement do you think a 1019AH-K would have over my 520-K with my Energy Connoisseur setup (yay, on-topic question). Purely talking about power output. The 1019AH-K is rated for the same power output approximately, but is rated for 7 channels and has 100W more total system power consumption. In the real world, I don't know how that would apply to my speakers (if at all).

It braught me to the AVR-791 and not the 591 but the 791 is not bad and if it's for your dad and he does not need preouts the 791 is really nice.

You would not have one speciality shop in your area by any chance?

And BTW does not bother us that you are off topic here it's Thread for Energy Speaker owner .

How does the 1019 sound with you dads cf-50 speakers? Technically you need to double the power to gain 3 db but you also gain on dynamics and sound quality .


Kef are usually pretty flat sounding and I think you need a relly dood amp to power them to make them sound great and in the end you may even find that they don't sound as musical as the Enrgy with music. Altho they will offer superior imanging and provide more details.

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

i have a energy cc100 and c200s, wen watching movies and voices are panning across the front it sounds different..
using yamaha htr 6063

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PaulWog

What about this receiver: http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...3d7688a367en02
(if the link is down, it's the Denon 591 AVR)

The unfortunate thing is we're stuck with Futureshop for the receiver. Meaning what you suggested is out of the picture (he's also looking to spend between $400 and $700).

The main thing is we need it to be 3d ready, since our tv is 3d ready. But this one also appears to have a bit better total wattage than the current 1019.

I'm trying to talk him into going out to demo the Kef Q700 speakers. They're on sale for $1400 for a pair around here. The brand is at least not tainted by Klipsch, as far as I know.

Anyways I should start a thread rather than veering off on a tangent like this. If you can answer my question about that receiver that'd be absolutely awesome (since I trust your opinion), but I won't continue being so off-topic in this thread (went from Energy to one thing to another).

[edit]: And just one last question. How much of an improvement do you think a 1019AH-K would have over my 520-K with my Energy Connoisseur setup (yay, on-topic question). Purely talking about power output. The 1019AH-K is rated for the same power output approximately, but is rated for 7 channels and has 100W more total system power consumption. In the real world, I don't know how that would apply to my speakers (if at all).

If there is any way to convince your dad to get the 991 on sale. If not the 791 would be better then the 1025 or 1125 in terms of power output.


Ok, on to Kefs.

Unlike Oliver, I didnt find that the Kefs were flat, but it depends what he heard them played with also. Kef offers a very unique sound, some people like it and others don't. I found that they were highly detailed and had controlled bass, and like Oliver, I thought they imaged very well and had a good soundstage. However, the sound of them, was not something I would go for. I had almost blind bought these over the Internet and I am very happy I didn't and I bought the Energys instead. I found they were musical not as much as the Totems or Dyns or even B&Ws, and movies were portrayed with realism and authority.

However, to me the Kefs just don't do it for me. their sound is just, not what i would go for.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Lt. Aldo Raine

i have a energy cc100 and c200s, wen watching movies and voices are panning across the front it sounds different..
using yamaha htr 6063

check your gain on the speakers, they may be off.

[Blu Balls]

Originally Posted by callas01

If there is any way to convince your dad to get the 991 on sale. If not the 791 would be better then the 1025 or 1125 in terms of power output.


Ok, on to Kefs.

Unlike Oliver, I didnt find that the Kefs were flat, but it depends what he heard them played with also. Kef offers a very unique sound, some people like it and others don't. I found that they were highly detailed and had controlled bass, and like Oliver, I thought they imaged very well and had a good soundstage. However, the sound of them, was not something I would go for. I had almost blind bought these over the Internet and I am very happy I didn't and I bought the Energys instead. I found they were musical not as much as the Totems or Dyns or even B&Ws, and movies were portrayed with realism and authority.

However, to me the Kefs just don't do it for me. their sound is just, not what i would go for.

I bought the Denon avr791 at Best Buy for $450 but I never hooked it up because the Pioneer VSX 1120 went on sale for $525. I really wanted the Denon but, it didn't have preamp outputs so I decided to think long term so I could add an amp in the future. I just read yesterday that the VSX 1120 doesn't have nearly as much power then what Pioneer claims. I guess what I'm saying is I wish Denon had preamp outputs on their mid level receivers so I could have better sound until I had the $ for an amp.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

I bought the Denon avr791 at Best Buy for $450 but I never hooked it up because the Pioneer VSX 1120 went on sale for $525. I really wanted the Denon but, it didn't have preamp outputs so I decided to think long term so I could add an amp in the future. I just read yesterday that the VSX 1120 doesn't have nearly as much power then what Pioneer claims. I guess what I'm saying is I wish Denon had preamp outputs on their mid level receivers so I could have better sound until I had the $ for an amp.

well the pre-outs would be better long term. I am sure you will do just fine with the pioneer until you can get an amp.

[PaulWog]

Alright, I'll let him know about the Denon 991. I guess that's the best choice from Futureshop? I'm not sure how much he really wants to spend, as he's sort-of uncertain on the whole matter as things stand (he is hesitant to drop $3k or so on speakers). He spent just under $3000 on a tv, and about $4000 on special couches for the tv room, as well as an additional $1000 on a picture to hang up on the wall, and a ton on some other stuff (tables and whatnot), all for the one room. I'm trying to convince him that with that much put into the one room, the speakers and receiver should also be high end.

Also, I still need to clarify: Would it be worth it (if he ends up cycling out his 1019AH-K) to switch my 520-k with it? Specifically talking about powering 5 channels, the power ratings seem to be about the same. However, the 1019 is rated for a total power consumption amount of 340W, which is approximately 100W higher than my receiver. What I'm wondering is in the real world, how much of a difference the 1019AH-K will make (in terms of sound) over the 520-K on my Connoisseur speakers. Additionally, specifically talking about high power requirement settings (such as EQ changes in combination with using all 5 channels at equal sound levels in extended stereo), I'm wondering if there'd be a huge difference. The total system weight of the 1019 is only 1lb more than my receiver, and my receiver is newer tech, but the 1019 is still a more expensive receiver. I just don't know if I should even bother proposing the trade to my dad (if/when he gets a newer receiver).