The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

Hello Everyone,

I recently purchased a set of Energy Take 5 Classics and am enjoying them pretty well. That in turn has got me curious about what else Energy has to offer in terms of speakers. The Takes give me a good indication of the value and quality of speakers that Energy has to offer.

I have done some researching on the RC-50s and was wondering how they would compare to Axiom's M60 or M80s. Axiom speakers were going to be my setup of choice when I had enough saved up. The Classics were my interim speaker until then. I am glad I got the Classics because I am currently very interested in Energy speakers.

What I am most curious about is the RC-R speaker. From reading this thread, a lot of poster on here speaks very highly of them. Some even saying they are the best surround speakers they have ever owned. Are they really that good. Would anyone know how they compare to Axiom's QS8s?

Seeking

Energy makes very good speakers, Im sure the RC50s would compete with the axiom 60s just fine. I have never compared the 2 speakers tho. I have heard nothing but good about the rc-rs and the QS surrounds, but again cannot compare directly. Sorry I cant be more helpful

[Seekinganswers]

callas,

You have been a great help in my research from reading your posts on this thread. After much excitement and deliberation, I decided to go ahead and purchase the steal of a deal from amazon on the RC-50s. I didn't want to miss this chance before they were all out of stock. I can't wait to listen to these speakers. Now just watching and waiting on amazon for them to drop the price on the RC-LCR.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

callas,

You have been a great help in my research from reading your posts on this thread. After much excitement and deliberation, I decided to go ahead and purchase the steal of a deal from amazon on the RC-50s. I didn't want to miss this chance before they were all out of stock. I can't wait to listen to these speakers. Now just watching and waiting on amazon for them to drop the price on the RC-LCR.

Look on Ebay, I think Miker and Macruz took their there. this close to half price vs Retail and LCR won't go much lower than that, hard to get deals on them although the whole RC-Line went on Clearance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Energy-Speaker-S...item5ade53e415

[Seekinganswers]

BigAl,

Thanks for the link, I have perused eBay for the center. When I say "wait," I mean im broke after my first speaker purchase so I will have to save up a bit.

I read that you can use the RC-LCR as a vertical speaker. I know on the Axiom forums that a lot of the members suggest using vertical centers of ergonomics allowed. Has anyone had any experience using the LCR standing up as a center? Is it any different from using it as a horizontal center?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

BigAl,

Thanks for the link, I have perused eBay for the center. When I say "wait," I mean im broke after my first speaker purchase so I will have to save up a bit.

I read that you can use the RC-LCR as a vertical speaker. I know on the Axiom forums that a lot of the members suggest using vertical centers of ergonomics allowed. Has anyone had any experience using the LCR standing up as a center? Is it any different from using it as a horizontal center?

Well as it's name let's you suggest LCR Left Center Right, Most of the time vertival placement is the best way to go as the horizontal dispersion will be far superior, problem with alot of center channel speaker speacially wth MTM Midrange tweeter midrange is that some freuency cancelation may occur specially off axis, Vertical placement is also great if you can match the whole front sound stage for the most seamless transition.

Some center channel like mine for instance will put the tweeter higher that the midrange to avoid the problem. Horizontal placement usually gives a bigger vertical dispersion.

Anyhow Yes there is a Member here that has 3 LCR and apparently it sounds great, Quite a fair amount of members here have 3 identical speakers to get the best front soundstage possible.

[Seekinganswers]

I read that three RC-LCR would be ideal for a front soundstage. Does that mean that the RC-LCR is superior to the RC-50 or is it because of the speaker matching that is ideal?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

I read that three RC-LCR would be ideal for a front soundstage. Does that mean that the RC-LCR is superior to the RC-50 or is it because of the speaker matching that is ideal?

For movies I think 3 LCR would give a more seamless transition all in all and they are not bad in the low end department. Put it in this perspective 3 RC-50 would surpass 3 LCR.

Now if you like music you may like to listen to music better on the RC-50 as you should have more slam from the bigger drivers, In strickly movies I think 3 LCR would beat 2 RC-50 with 1 LCR. Most of us have to deal with space constraint or placement so we choose horizintal center.

Some Horizontal center are very well design and iffer amazing performance, my Totem for instance have perfect driver size matching with my monitors, I have a slighly different tweeter on the center which is unique to Totem certainly to work around some of the issues of the horizontal placement, the tweeter is also a bit higher than the other drivers which avoids most of the frequency cancellation, All i can say is having own an Energy C -Series front sound stage, my new one is absolutely above and beyond it, the RC line is a great step up of what use to have but I know the LCR is not the ultimate match to the RC-50 altho it's a very good alternative and most manufacturer deal with the same issue.

[9883]

As it turns out the Yamaha 667 does not allow you to set individual x-overs. I know I been told to set the cf-30s at 60hz and the center and surrounds at 80hz. I know that THX recommends 80Hz on all speakers in the surround set up and that happens to also be the default setting on the Yamaha. The 1911 just dropped in price to $400. Should I go with the 1911 instead of the 667? Will the cb-5s work well with the 80Hz x-over or is a higher setting more appropriate?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by 9883

As it turns out the Yamaha 667 does not allow you to set individual x-overs. I know I been told to set the cf-30s at 60hz and the center and surrounds at 80hz. I know that THX recommends 80Hz on all speakers in the surround set up and that happens to also be the default setting on the Yamaha. The 1911 just dropped in price to $400. Should I go with the 1911 instead of the 667? Will the cb-5s work well with the 80Hz x-over or is a higher setting more appropriate?

The CB-5 should do just fine at 80hz as it's frequency response indicates a 65-20 000 hz at +/-3db. Now why would you refuse to go with the Marantz SR5005 in this case, I understand you for wanting something brand new but it would be more flexible with frequency adjustments Adjustment for eah individual speakers actually not even by pair, drive more power and still give you the option of an external amp. You could use 80hz all around also but again if you feel the Denon is what you want then go ahead, I am not twisting your arm, I try to help.

I am pretty sure the Denon could actually be better now with power over the Yamaha but the Yamaha has preouts and sound more natural. Can you go in store and do an audition of the Denon 1911 again vs the 667?

I am not a Denon hater they are the same company as Marantz.

[K-Fed2]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

The CB-5 should do just fine at 80hz as it's frequency response indicates a 65-20 000 hz at +/-3db. Now why would you refuse to go with the Marantz SR5005 in this case, I understand you for wanting something brand new but it would be more flexible with frequency adjustments Adjustment for eah individual speakers actually not even by pair, drive more power and still give you the option of an external amp. You could use 80hz all around also but again if you feel the Denon is what you want then go ahead, I am not twisting your arm, I try to help.

I am pretty sure the Denon could actually be better now with power over the Yamaha but the Yamaha has preouts and sound more natural. Can you go in store and do an audition of the Denon 1911 again vs the 667?

I am not a Denon hater they are the same company as Marantz.

I just looked that up on wikipedia and sure enough parent company is D & M Holdings in Japan and they also own McIntosh, and Boston Acoustics.

News to me!!

[9883]

I think you mistook the cb-5 for the cc-5. The cb-5 low frequency is 71Hz so I'm a bit concerned with setting the x-over at 80Hz.

Here is the problem with auditioning receivers at stores. They are often not set up the same as other or set up improperly. The sales people are under stress to make sales so they are not willing to spend much time with you. I went and listened to the same 2 tracks with the 1911 and the 667 at the same volume level and I could not tell the diff. between the two.

I think I would get the most power from the Onkyo 608 but I don't want to get it because of all the failures that people report with them. However, the tx-nr609 is coming out very soon and there is a good chance they addressed all the issue and the 609 will be reliable.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by 9883

I think you mistook the cb-5 for the cc-5. The cb-5 low frequency is 71Hz so I'm a bit concerned with setting the x-over at 80Hz.

Here is the problem with auditioning receivers at stores. They are often not set up the same as other or set up improperly. The sales people are under stress to make sales so they are not willing to spend much time with you. I went and listened to the same 2 tracks with the 1911 and the 667 at the same volume level and I could not tell the diff. between the two.

I think I would get the most power from the Onkyo 608 but I don't want to get it because of all the failures that people report with them. However, the tx-nr609 is coming out very soon and there is a good chance they addressed all the issue and the 609 will be reliable.

Are we talking big box store like BB?

Oops, should still be fine at +/-3 db should keep up I don,t think you will get much rolloff there as they are surrounds.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by K-Fed2

I just looked that up on wikipedia and sure enough parent company is D & M Holdings in Japan and they also own McIntosh, and Boston Acoustics.

News to me!!

Absolutely, So Kev Have you tried the fix for your 360?

[9883]

Page 78 talks about sound programs, I see nothing about x-over. Page 86 talks about x-over but it does not state if it's one setting for all speakers or individual. I got in touch with someone who owns the 867 model and he told me that it's one setting for all speakers. He is not concerned much with this because he has full range front speakers set to large.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by 9883

Page 78 talks about sound programs, I see nothing about x-over. Page 86 talks about x-over but it does not state if it's one setting for all speakers or individual. I got in touch with someone who owns the 867 model and he told me that it's one setting for all speakers. He is not concerned much with this because he has full range front speakers set to large.

I deleted my post, sorry my bad in this case. You are right it is global X-over, Marantz has the advance setup with absolutely individual X-over.

[9883]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Are we talking big box store like BB?

Oops, should still be fine at +/-3 db should keep up I don,t think you will get much rolloff there as they are surrounds.

No, I went to J and R music world because I live in NYC. Best Buy is hopeless, last time I was there I had to track down somebody to help me and they had no clue about anything the store was selling. A bunch of shelves with computer parts were empty and didn't look like they were going to be restocked. Best Buy and other stores like it are taking a beating from online retailers. Online I can get better prices, no tax, much better selection, and most of the stuff comes right to my door with no additional charges for shipping. The only time I go to these stores is to check out the item in person before I buy it online and even that is a very rare occurrence for me.

[9883]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I deleted my post, sorry my bad in this case. You are right it is global X-over, Marantz has the advance setup with absolutely individual X-over.

Yes, Denon also has 2 settings. One is basic with a global x-over and the other is advanced with individual x-overs. However, there are quite a few negative things about the 1911. For one, you can't change HDMI inputs in standby. It's either the last HDMI that was used before turning the receiver off or the one that you select in settings. Also, no volume display on monitor when connected via HDMI which is a big negative considering how small the receiver display is. The 1911 only gives you rather primitive white text on a black screen, no overlay and no intuitive GUI.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by 9883

No, I went to J and R music world because I live in NYC. Best Buy is hopeless, last time I was there I had to track down somebody to help me and they had no clue about anything the store was selling. A bunch of shelves with computer parts were empty and didn't look like they were going to be restocked. Best Buy and other stores like it are taking a beating from online retailers. Online I can get better prices, no tax, much better selection, and most of the stuff comes right to my door with no additional charges for shipping. The only time I go to these stores is to check out the item in person before I buy it online and even that is a very rare occurrence for me.

Then if you could audition a Marantz receiver before buying that could be great I would pick this over the Denon or the RXV-667.

I mean the 667 is not bad at all only the X-over point suck but alot of receivers are like that. Look The Denon offers the same flexibility as the Marantz so it's your call but you may end up upgrading down the road.

Really up to you. I would pick the 667 if ahd to choose between the 2. using 80hz X-over is not a shame it's a THX certification so global X-over is not bad at all I was using 80 hz all around with my Energy speakers. plus the GUI is a bit more friendly, it has preouts, may output a tiny bit less in multichannel but should be fine and will outperform what you already have.

On this note good nite

[9883]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Then if you could audition a Marantz receiver before buying that could be great I would pick this over the Denon or the RXV-667.

I mean the 667 is not bad at all only the X-over point suck but alot of receivers are like that. Look The Denon offers the same flexibility as the Marantz so it's your call but you may end up upgrading down the road.

Really up to you. I would pick the 667 if ahd to choose between the 2. using 80hz X-over is not a shame it's a THX certification so global X-over is not bad at all I was using 80 hz all around with my Energy speakers. plus the GUI is a bit more friendly, it has preouts, may output a tiny bit less in multichannel but should be fine and will outperform what you already have.

On this note good nite

Decided to "pull the trigger" on the 667.

[K-Fed2]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Absolutely, So Kev Have you tried the fix for your 360?

ya my son pulled it apart and cleaned the heatsink/chips and re-applied paste but that ddint do it. tomorrow he's gonna take the motherboard out and heat up the solder joints with a hair dryer. apparantly that works