The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[MaCruz]

^ Hell nah! As usual!

[donaldsonjune]

hello all,

i've been running a 2-channel system for around 4 weeks. rc-30s & a yamaha rxv657 reciever. i love what i'm hearing. smooth jazz is my choice of music.
but i have a rotel rsp-985 processor & a rotel amp. i'm thinking about using the rotel and not the yamaha. but the yamaha sounds great or is it just the speakers? what would you hook up?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by donaldsonjune

hello all,

i've been running a channel system for around 4 weeks. rc-30s & a yamaha rxv657 reciever. i love what i'm hearing. smooth jazz is my choice of music.
but i have a rotel rsp-985 processor & a rotel amp. i'm thinking about using the rotel and not the yamaha. but the yamaha sounds great or is it just the speakers? what would you hook up?

personally I think Rotels sound is much more musical and suited to your style of music, try connecting it and if you don't like the Rotel as much, go back to the Yamaha.

[Seekinganswers]

Hello,

I have been trying to learn more about other brands of speakers and I have been pretty curious. I know this may have been mentioned elsewhere in this thread but I like some confirmation.

I will use Paradigm as a reference because more people are familiar with the brand. How does the RC-50/70s compare to Paradigm Studio 60/100s. I know the Paradigm costs a lot more but how does the Energys actually hold up. Please throw in some other comparable speaker and brands to give a more exact idea on where the RCs stand on the totem pole.

Thanks

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

Hello,

I have been trying to learn more about other brands of speakers and I have been pretty curious. I know this may have been mentioned elsewhere in this thread but I like some confirmation.

I will use Paradigm as a reference because more people are familiar with the brand. How does the RC-50/70s compare to Paradigm Studio 60/100s. I know the Paradigm costs a lot more but how does the Energys actually hold up. Please throw in some other comparable speaker and brands to give a more exact idea on where the RCs stand on the totem pole.

Thanks

Energy performs very well against Paradigm, PSB, B&W, Monitor Audio, and the like.

There are a few differences in the way the speakers are designed, and where their strengths lie. Energy and PSB make flat on-axis, linear(balanced) speakers. They don't over emphasis the highs or lows. PSB is a little more hot in the highs and Energys are more laidback. Paradigm makes speakers that are a little more bright sounding and dynamic, they add a little of a false mid-bass bump, but not overly emphazied. IMO, Paradigm are not as musical. PSB and Paradigms tone is a little similar in that the highs are on the hot side. B&W has that warmth in the mid-range and smoother highs then Paradigm, with slightly better mid-range detail. Monitor Audio is bright to me like Paradigm, they mid-range is better like B&Ws, the mid-bass has a built in bump that makes the bass stand out. This is a very american style of sound, hot highs and deep bass. My personal tastes are more with the B&W, Energys, PSBs then to MA and Digm.

One thing about B&W, when I hear the CM series, they are not that big of an improvement over the 600 series. I think the 600s offer the best value.

Competing lines would be Studio/CM/MA Silvers/RC or Veritas/Imagine
In the lower lines Monitor/600/ MA Bronze/ CF series/Image

Understand that each of the lines offer something that will be different for everyone. Finding what you like the best is always a personal decision.

Does that help?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

Hello,

I have been trying to learn more about other brands of speakers and I have been pretty curious. I know this may have been mentioned elsewhere in this thread but I like some confirmation.

I will use Paradigm as a reference because more people are familiar with the brand. How does the RC-50/70s compare to Paradigm Studio 60/100s. I know the Paradigm costs a lot more but how does the Energys actually hold up. Please throw in some other comparable speaker and brands to give a more exact idea on where the RCs stand on the totem pole.

Thanks

Is this what you really think? Not such a big difference in retail price actually.

The RC went on clearence which is why you were able to get them for so cheap and the honest truth they can hold their own with the Paradigms, Cant really say one is better than the other it's a matter of preference. Paradigm needs Anthem gear to perform their best and to actually bring out any kind of musicality out of them but once you have them hooked up to Anthem gear i think you are in for a treat. Pairing Energy is alittle easier but they will sound fabulous with gear in around their price range, a 2K IA to drive the RC-50 like the Arcam A28 or the 2.5K Naim XS would make them sound amazing I am sure.

Callas is dead on with his analasys and it all comes down to your sound and music preferences. i would think the Energy more versatile as it is more laid back.

The retail price in Canada for the RC-70 was 2500$ a pair. The RC-50 was 2K and I believe the US price was 1800$.

[Seekinganswers]

Callis and BigAl,

I understand that I got my speakers at a steep discount and that the RC-50s msrp'd for $1600 new and the RC-70s were $2000 new in the US.

I truly do love my RC-50s. These are my first set of high-quality speakers so I do not have anything else to compare them to, but I know they are a huge step up from my old polk monitor 60s. I really do love their "laid back" sound that just seems so silky smooth to me. The main thing I have noticed is when I hear the big names like paragdigm, B&W, PSB, Dynaudio, Monitor Audio and the like, the Energy RC series is not commonly mentioned in the $1500-2000 speaker range.

I have been eying Axioms top of the line range of M80s, VP180, and QS80s for a long time. I have read so many great things about them. They definitely were going to be my first big speaker purchase but the RC-50s came at such a great deal I couldn't pass it up. I hear the M80s are comparable to paradigm studio 100s and they sound very much alike, but after more research and comparison, I am not sure if I would enjoy the supposed brighter sound of M80s and 100s. I also know the best way to find out is to audition them. I was curious if there would be an appreciable difference or upgrade if I decided to try out the M80s or the studio 100s and speakers other speakers in the same price range.

Most of my listening would be HT and will be paired with subs, so stand alone two channel isn't the biggest deal for me. Just overall quality when used in a 5.1+ system.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Seekinganswers

Callis and BigAl,

I understand that I got my speakers at a steep discount and that the RC-50s msrp'd for $1600 new and the RC-70s were $2000 new in the US.

I truly do love my RC-50s. These are my first set of high-quality speakers so I do not have anything else to compare them to, but I know they are a huge step up from my old polk monitor 60s. I really do love their "laid back" sound that just seems so silky smooth to me. The main thing I have noticed is when I hear the big names like paragdigm, B&W, PSB, Dynaudio, Monitor Audio and the like, the Energy RC series is not commonly mentioned in the $1500-2000 speaker range.

I have been eying Axioms top of the line range of M80s, VP180, and QS80s for a long time. I have read so many great things about them. They definitely were going to be my first big speaker purchase but the RC-50s came at such a great deal I couldn't pass it up. I hear the M80s are comparable to paradigm studio 100s and they sound very much alike, but after more research and comparison, I am not sure if I would enjoy the supposed brighter sound of M80s and 100s. I also know the best way to find out is to audition them. I was curious if there would be an appreciable difference or upgrade if I decided to try out the M80s or the studio 100s and speakers other speakers in the same price range.

Most of my listening would be HT and will be paired with subs, so stand alone two channel isn't the biggest deal for me. Just overall quality when used in a 5.1+ system.

My taughts is that in a 5.1 system pairing the Digms with Anthem gear and their great room correction system may lead to fabulous results, the Energy with the same gear might be just as good but I don't know, The RC-Line i would take over the studios any day for music but in HT the Studios are quite good as long as you give them the right amplification, they are more sensitive than Energy to gear change.

No clean winner here. again your preference is what matters.

[broganreynik]

Well I finally got some pictures uploaded of our setup. They're in my HT gallery. Check 'em out if you like.

[MaCruz]

What's up to all my friends over at the Energy thread.

I'm still representing my Energy speakers to the fullest!

[rayoner]

Hi guys,
New to the forum. Have been reading a few pages back. And read a lot of great things.

Currently I'm running a 7.1 system with my Take 5.2 and an extra set of Take 2.2s.

I never thought do it before but I do want to upgrade the lcr to cc5/cb5 or the cc10/cb10. And maybe the EW-100 ($130 on Amazon). And keep the take 2.2 for my surrounds.

cc5/cb5 is a great option because it can be had a god price. But after reading this forum it seems the cb10/cc10 is the way to go. Is it overkill? Would the cc5 be a better match for the take 2.2s?

Forgive me I know this topic is probably been discussed to death. And trust me I will read this forum front to back.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by broganreynik

Well I finally got some pictures uploaded of our setup. They're in my HT gallery. Check 'em out if you like.

Nice pictures and nice setup, just concern about the position of the CB-5 inthe first picture.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by MaCruz

What's up to all my friends over at the Energy thread.

I'm still representing my Energy speakers to the fullest!

What's up Mike, I love the RC and i will represent Energy for as long they can keep making great products unfortunately the cost cutting on the entry level speaker is obvious not in the conception nor quality of material but mainly in quality control.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by rayoner

Hi guys,
New to the forum. Have been reading a few pages back. And read a lot of great things.

Currently I'm running a 7.1 system with my Take 5.2 and an extra set of Take 2.2s.

I never thought do it before but I do want to upgrade the lcr to cc5/cb5 or the cc10/cb10. And maybe the EW-100 ($130 on Amazon). And keep the take 2.2 for my surrounds.

cc5/cb5 is a great option because it can be had a god price. But after reading this forum it seems the cb10/cc10 is the way to go. Is it overkill? Would the cc5 be a better match for the take 2.2s?

Forgive me I know this topic is probably been discussed to death. And trust me I will read this forum front to back.

You could do cc-10 and cf-30 also and no it's not overkill for take surrounds, you can adjust surround gain on the receiver, if you have auto setup on the receiver you should run it after the speaker upgrade. CF-30 can be purchase for a low price once in while. They cut the price in half sometimes at BB or Vanns had them at 139$ at some point.

I would say go for CC-10 and CB-10, CC-5 CB-5 is great for a small room.

[rayoner]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

You could do cc-10 and cf-30 also and no it's not overkill for take surrounds, you can adjust surround gain on the receiver, if you have auto setup on the receiver you should run it after the speaker upgrade. CF-30 can be purchase for a low price once in while. They cut the price in half sometimes at BB or Vanns had them at 139$ at some point.

I would say go for CC-10 and CB-10, CC-5 CB-5 is great for a small room.

Thanks BigAl87. My mind is swirling with reviews, reading forums, checking ebay, checking craigslist, rinse, repeat. I guess I'll go with the CC-10/CB-10 instead of settling for the CB5. I do want to notice an improvement in sound. I'll look into the CF-30 too now!!! doh...!

[Miker107]

Hey gang, just dropped in for a moment to say high. Steve, how did that stone pass? OK I hope.

I haven't had time to go check out the Integra receiver yet, but I will have to soon as my Onkyo is starting to cut in and out when I first turn it on. Instead of cleaning it I will just get a new one when I get the time to go to the dealer.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by rayoner

Thanks BigAl87. My mind is swirling with reviews, reading forums, checking ebay, checking craigslist, rinse, repeat. I guess I'll go with the CC-10/CB-10 instead of settling for the CB5. I do want to notice an improvement in sound. I'll look into the CF-30 too now!!! doh...!

It really comes down to how much you want to spend too, but let say yougo to CB-10 for now, you could swing those as surrounds and get cf-30 or 50 when the price is right for you. Falling at 149 sometime at Best Buy or 179 is totally worth it they are 199 on special in Canada and I have seen them to go as low as 149 also here in Canada.

[magnum4ce]

My current setup consists of Onkyo TX-sn706 a/v receiver, oppo 981h player( used for SACD & DVD-A only), PS3 (used for bluray, netflix and other streaming media). My speakers setup consists of 2 C-100 bookshelf ( LF&RF), 1 C-C100 ( Center), 2 C-50 book shelf ( LR&RR) and 1 Velodyne VRP-12 sub. My room size is 15x9 with a 10ft opening on one side. Due to room dimensions, ( and preferred appearance) I cannot use floor standing speakers. So, I am limited to Bookshelf. i would also like to stay with the Energy line is possible.

My setup is used for Music AND movies. Fairly equal on both,(slight edge to music listening). However, the audio part for both are my man concern. Music played ranges from metal to classical. I like it loud. I always have the Zone 2 in use when listening to music ( for backyard)

Ok, my shopping upgrade list consists of the Onkyo TX-NR3008 or MAYBE the 5008( to replace current 706). The Oppo BDP93 or MAYBE the 95,(to replace PS3 and oppo 981h). Energy Verita V5.2 C and 4 Verita V5.1's ( to replace C-series).

a few questions and concerns. first, is the Onkyo 3008 and 5008 going to be overkill for the bookshelf speakers i currently have? or for the Veritas?

Is the audio difference between the 3008 and 5008 that big? and especially if I will be limited to bookshelf speakers?

is the audio difference between the BDP93 and 95 noticable with bookshelf speakers? ( mainly for SACD & DVD-Audio playback)

would replacing my current Energy setup to the Veritas be a noticeable upgrade in sound quality? ( due to the fact that they are both bookshelf speaker setups being driven by the Onkyo 3008 or 5008)

Thanks

[callas01]

I owned the Energy C series for a few years, and I still have a fondness for Energy. the veritas line will give you a marked improvement in performance over the C-series, enought to feel the upgrade was justified. Their overall performance should elevate your musical experience well. There is not much of a difference in the 3008 and 5008 in terms of sound. And to power the 5.1V monitors, you don't need the 5008, in that size of room, there isn't going to be a need for any of the extra power. The Oppo 95 has a better analog section then the 93, if you are using multi-channel out from your Oppo for audio, then the 95 will have an advantage, if you are using a digital connection and want to do it all via HDMI, then there will be no difference in the 93 v 95.

Ok, while I really have a fondness for Energy speakers, I have to say that I left them for a reason. I found that for a more musical experience and better overall HT performance that Dynaudio offered ME more. Big Al, found that Totem gave him a better experience. I can say that both brands, having heard both, offer up more then what I have experienced with Energy. That is not to say that Energy is bad, but I would highly recommend going and auditioning a few other brands. Of course if you still love Energy, then get them, I was really unsure about moving away from Energy at the time I did, but it was ultimately the best thing I did. I have no regrets about buying Dynaudio, and if I hadn't of bought Dynaudios, I probably would have bought Totems. Totem has speakers that start at $575/pr called the Dreamcatchers and then the Rainmakers $1200, Dynaudio has the DM 2/6s at $899 and also the Excite X12s at $1200.

My room is 13x16 with a 9x9 opening, I use the X16s. I can say that in all my time with Energys, I was not able to play music as deep on my C-300s as I can on the bookshelfs that I have now. I can play hip-hop without a sub and it sound like there is a sub in the room. Then I can play Classical, Jazz, acoustic, classic rock, heavy metal or alternative rock and get all that there is to experience from it.

Im not saying for you to buy Dynaudio or Totem, but as you decide to purchase something else, start auditioning other speakers and see whats best for you.

[Kratos3]

I thought only Canadians owned Energy speakers.