The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[adept777]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

As I said in a previous post, if you like your polk for now keep it. I do not wish to push you to buy something you will not like i would suggest you to audition.

All things considered what are your restrictions when it comes to subs and what would be your budget? Considering the price of your speakers i would not spend more than 600$ on a sub.

I know the PSW-10 was 99$ at some point so you can imagine the improvement of 600$ sub over it.
Do you listen to alot of music? Do you like Fast accurate bass? or just super low bass. What kind of music do you listen to, or is this setup strickly HT?

No, trust me I won't just buy.. I will audition before buying ..and furthermore I appreciate and value all your help/suggestions as you seem to be knowing quite a bit about speakers and speaker setup when it comes to Energy in my opinion. But I was just asking for some suggestions.. you know like recommendation so I can narrow down on my list to test..

WOW!!! I definitely don't have a SIX hundred dollar budget... I was think more along the lines of 300 dollars. I like them both.. it depends on the song/movie or the other instruments used and so far..

This is for my HT and music. Yes, I listen to music almost 24/7 and it ranges from Classic to Funk.. I listen to them all.. though my favs would be Jazz, Pop, Rock and Funk in that order..

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

So now you have a bit confused I think you will enjoy the sound of your CF-70 and once you put a good sub in the mix I think you will smile just like you did at BB.

The Energy speakers are not know for their bass unfortunately. I am not sure if you picked the right speaker for you right now but it might grow more on you than you ever thought possible. The CF-70 drive a considerebly bigger amount of bass than the CF-50 because of the bigger drivers allowing greater air displacement.

I have heard the CF-70s more then anyother Energy speaker other then my own previous C-300s, I can say that last time I was listening to them, it was just them and the CC-10, and I can say that Inception had a great amount of bass to it, and that was all due to the CF70s, now it wont be as much as the 8060s with their 8" or 10" built-in subs, but you would be surprised at the overall bass that the "linear"/balanced Energys provide.


Adept, I understand that you, like many young HT enthusiasts, find bass as perhaps the central core of the HT experience, but in all honesty, bass needs to be set to a level of equalization with the rest of your system. There is a guy here Big Daddy, he has 6 subs, and when I was in his room, you could feel and tell there was great bass in the room, but it never overpowered the rest of the system. I think if you get the CC-10 and a great sub, say something along the lines of a Hsu STF-2 or VTF-2 MK3, or an Elemental Designs A2-300 or SVS NSD-PB12 or Epik Legend. They will add to the LFE experience and you will enjoy all the added mid-range and the smoothness of the highs, with good low-end and even better bass.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by adept777

No, trust me I won't just buy.. I will audition before buying ..and furthermore I appreciate and value all your help/suggestions as you seem to be knowing quite a bit about speakers and speaker setup when it comes to Energy in my opinion. But I was just asking for some suggestions.. you know like recommendation so I can narrow down on my list to test..

WOW!!! I definitely don't have a SIX hundred dollar budget... I was think more along the lines of 300 dollars. I like them both.. it depends on the song/movie or the other instruments used and so far..

This is for my HT and music. Yes, I listen to music almost 24/7 and it ranges from Classic to Funk.. I listen to them all.. though my favs would be Jazz, Pop, Rock and Funk in that order..

with your budget for a sub, Id suggest that you look at the Hsu STF-2 or the Elemental Desgins A2-250, they are both about $350, and will perform much better then anything you buy in a box store like BB for the same money.

FWIW, Big Al and I both owned Energy speakers from the same line for about 3 yrs before we both upgraded to what we have now. We have lots of experience with Energy and many other brands.

[adept777]

Originally Posted by callas01

with your budget for a sub, Id suggest that you look at the Hsu STF-2 or the Elemental Desgins A2-250, they are both about $350, and will perform much better then anything you buy in a box store like BB for the same money.

FWIW, Big Al and I both owned Energy speakers from the same line for about 3 yrs before we both upgraded to what we have now. We have lots of experience with Energy and many other brands.

Thanks for your suggestions... but I have searched for the past two days and I can't seem to find anyone selling any of the models you mentioned.

If possible please help. Thanks!

Also, are there any good sub you would recommend for my setup by Energy?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by adept777

Thanks for your suggestions... but I have searched for the past two days and I can't seem to find anyone selling any of the models you mentioned.

If possible please help. Thanks!

Also, are there any good sub you would recommend for my setup by Energy?

The brands Callas mentionned sell Online directly they are factory direct. They offer tremendous value and are very well known brands like Axiom Audio if you know this brand a factory direct company also.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by callas01

I have heard the CF-70s more then anyother Energy speaker other then my own previous C-300s, I can say that last time I was listening to them, it was just them and the CC-10, and I can say that Inception had a great amount of bass to it, and that was all due to the CF70s, now it wont be as much as the 8060s with their 8" or 10" built-in subs, but you would be surprised at the overall bass that the "linear"/balanced Energys provide.

To add to what you're saying Callas I auditioned the Def Tech 8020ST and 8040ST along with the CF-70 and I was shocked at how good the CF-70's bass was when compared to the Def Techs. The Def Techs were only sightly better as far as bass goes, and if I couldn't test them side by side in the same environment I would be hard pressed to notice a big difference. I'm sure the 8060 has even better bass response so the difference would be more noticeable, but CF-70 really does have great bass response...very tight and clean at that. It really is a terrific speaker.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by adept777

Thanks for your suggestions... but I have searched for the past two days and I can't seem to find anyone selling any of the models you mentioned.

If possible please help. Thanks!

Also, are there any good sub you would recommend for my setup by Energy?

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=406

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

There is both subs, you can buy them directly from their websites. I think the eD is a better buy in your budget, cause they don't charge shipping, however you do have to wait a few weeks to get it. The Hsu will ship right away.

Energy Subs, and Klipsch, Polk, etc. or most of the other Best Buy subs are not very good. AND they turn the volume all the way up to try and show you how good they are, but all they do is over due it, they don't know anything about level matching. FWIW, I was a Best Buy the other day and the guy was giving another guy all the wrong information, so I had to correct him. the BB guy looked at me like I was a dick for correcting him, but he was like, oh as the impedance goes up, the speakers are harder to drive, and you need to have an amp.... took me 2 minutes and 5 questions to answer what the guy needed. they were talking for like 15 minutes.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

To add to what you're saying Callas I auditioned the Def Tech 8020ST and 8040ST along with the CF-70 and I was shocked at how good the CF-70's bass was when compared to the Def Techs. The Def Techs were only sightly better as far as bass goes, and if I couldn't test them side by side in the same environment I would be hard pressed to notice a big difference. I'm sure the 8060 has even better bass response so the difference would be more noticeable, but CF-70 really does have great bass response...very tight and clean at that. It really is a terrific speaker.

Take out the built in subs, and what do you get????

I think for $1500, I would rather have the CF-70s and a eD A2-300 over the DT 8060s. JMO.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by callas01

Take out the built in subs, and what do you get????

I think for $1500, I would rather have the CF-70s and a eD A2-300 over the DT 8060s. JMO.

I agree. The overall performance and value of this combo is quite hard to beat.

[Blu Balls]

I have CF 50's a CC10 and an ED A2 300 and I like them pretty well for movies but, music I feel they could be better for the money I paid. I'm thinking about upgrading to cf70's if I ever catch a good sale online. I read in a post a while back that new egg or some online stereo place had a pair of CF70's for $500! I paid $1100 for my fronts and center. I guess I just feel that there's some mid bass missing in my set up. You'll probably laugh at this but, my mom had a curtis mathes stereo in the mid 90's that sounded way better then my energy's do when it comes to music. They had much larger cabinets though, so that may be an unfair comparison. Do you guys think you could get a good sound out of the CF70's without an amp. I have a pioneer vsx 1120-k but I'm not sure that it would have enough power to push them.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

I have CF 50's a CC10 and an ED A2 300 and I like them pretty well for movies but, music I feel they could be better for the money I paid. I'm thinking about upgrading to cf70's if I ever catch a good sale online. I read in a post a while back that new egg or some online stereo place had a pair of CF70's for $500! I paid $1100 for my fronts and center. I guess I just feel that there's some mid bass missing in my set up. You'll probably laugh at this but, my mom had a curtis mathes stereo in the mid 90's that sounded way better then my energy's do when it comes to music. They had much larger cabinets though, so that may be an unfair comparison. Do you guys think you could get a good sound out of the CF70's without an amp. I have a pioneer vsx 1120-k but I'm not sure that it would have enough power to push them.

Well you have to know what youre looking for in music. Do you like the mid-range and highs that you get in music with the CF-50s? Are you simply looking for more mid-bass? Are you not pleased overall with the 50s with music?

I think you need to understand that your speakers are very balanced, and that Americans typically think that the bass needs to be boomy and bloated. Some speaker MFGs build in a mid-bass bump into the speakers typically at about 100 hz to give the speakers that thumping effect. However with Energy, they build the speakers to be balanced, so that no one octave overpowers another. The CF-70s do have more bass, but its still very balanced, but it can be deep. Also, think of this, depending on the music you are playing, it may not have the deepest bass. If you are playing hip-hop, then you won't get the type of bass you would expect. For that you will need a subwoofer.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

Well you have to know what youre looking for in music. Do you like the mid-range and highs that you get in music with the CF-50s? Are you simply looking for more mid-bass? Are you not pleased overall with the 50s with music?

I think you need to understand that your speakers are very balanced, and that Americans typically think that the bass needs to be boomy and bloated. Some speaker MFGs build in a mid-bass bump into the speakers typically at about 100 hz to give the speakers that thumping effect. However with Energy, they build the speakers to be balanced, so that no one octave overpowers another. The CF-70s do have more bass, but its still very balanced, but it can be deep. Also, think of this, depending on the music you are playing, it may not have the deepest bass. If you are playing hip-hop, then you won't get the type of bass you would expect. For that you will need a subwoofer.

+1

One other thing some amps with greater Amperage will also play on the dynamics of the speaker so you may want to experience with that as well. Not sure what the OP has for a receiver but just saying that it also affects the sound.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

I have CF 50's a CC10 and an ED A2 300 and I like them pretty well for movies but, music I feel they could be better for the money I paid. I'm thinking about upgrading to cf70's if I ever catch a good sale online. I read in a post a while back that new egg or some online stereo place had a pair of CF70's for $500! I paid $1100 for my fronts and center. I guess I just feel that there's some mid bass missing in my set up. You'll probably laugh at this but, my mom had a curtis mathes stereo in the mid 90's that sounded way better then my energy's do when it comes to music. They had much larger cabinets though, so that may be an unfair comparison. Do you guys think you could get a good sound out of the CF70's without an amp. I have a pioneer vsx 1120-k but I'm not sure that it would have enough power to push them.

To add to what has already been said...don't think of those boomy loud cars with the crazy bass rattling the license plates. That's not the goal you're trying to accomplish here. You're looking for tight bass when choosing a good speaker. This is also true with subs. And even any true car sound enthusiast who wants quality is looking for tightness in his bass response.

Boomy is flashy, but sound quality is not about boominess at all. Anyone who is serious about sound quality in the car audio business is more than likely using JL subs because they get extremely low and stay ridiculously tight with loads of output. When you're talking home speakers you want a balanced sound with tight bass response as well. You don't want the highs screaming at you blistering your ears and you don't want the mid-range standing too far out from the highs and lows. And you certainly don't want the lows taking away from your mid-range and highs. Be it music or movies vocals are very important. Balance is key.

And to answer your question about your AVR yes its fine. You have good power for your current speakers and it will also power CF-70's just fine. I demoed the CF-70's with a VSX-33 which is nearly identical to the VSX-1120 and it powered them very well and better than most receivers in the room. If I were you I would not go out of my way to upgrade from the CF-50's to the CF-70's. Its not worth the trouble for such similar speakers. You would be wiser to invest in a good sub IMO. I think this will get you what you're really looking for in your sound. Look into some eD, HSU, Outlaw, SVS, and Epik offerings. Go for something that has a response in the 16hz-18hz range and you'll get what you're seeking.

[callas01]

LoJack,

he does have an eD sub. whether he is or isn't using it in music, I don't know.

Also, as efficient and easy to drive as the CF-70s look on paper, reviewers and people that have them here and at AVS have found that adding a power amp improves the performance of the CF-70s greatly, saying that they are rather power hungry.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

LoJack,

he does have an eD sub. whether he is or isn't using it in music, I don't know.

Also, as efficient and easy to drive as the CF-70s look on paper, reviewers and people that have them here and at AVS have found that adding a power amp improves the performance of the CF-70s greatly, saying that they are rather power hungry.

CF are built to be able to be driven with alot of pwer and since they are 8 omhs load they need serious power to sound their best, Even the CF-30 will sound much better with 200watts rms which is exactly what they can take.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by callas01

Well you have to know what youre looking for in music. Do you like the mid-range and highs that you get in music with the CF-50s? Are you simply looking for more mid-bass? Are you not pleased overall with the 50s with music?

I think you need to understand that your speakers are very balanced, and that Americans typically think that the bass needs to be boomy and bloated. Some speaker MFGs build in a mid-bass bump into the speakers typically at about 100 hz to give the speakers that thumping effect. However with Energy, they build the speakers to be balanced, so that no one octave overpowers another. The CF-70s do have more bass, but its still very balanced, but it can be deep. Also, think of this, depending on the music you are playing, it may not have the deepest bass. If you are playing hip-hop, then you won't get the type of bass you would expect. For that you will need a subwoofer.

I was one of those Americans Steve is talking about, until I heard and grew accustomed to the Linear and very well balanced sound of Energy speakers. After experiencing them for myself (in the last year), everything else I have owned through the years I now find to sound "artificial," if that would be an appropriate adjective. I now realize how exaggerated certain frequencies can be in some speakers that fool you into thinking they sound better because they are more boomy or highs are way more pronounced.
From the listening experience and the education that I've received from the members of this thread, it has been an eye opening experience to say the least, so thanks guys.

[lojack1976]

I don't doubt at all that an amp will open them up more. I'm just saying that its not an absolute necessity. However, I didn't realize he was already running a sub. In that case more power may be what he needs to get the mid-range opened to his liking. Receivers in the class of his Pioneer have good power, but certainly not knock-your-socks-off power. I would say going with an amp is a very good idea, but I certainly wouldn't trade in CF-50's just get CF-70's. I think that would be a waste of money there.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I don't doubt at all that an amp will open them up more. I'm just saying that its not an absolute necessity. However, I didn't realize he was already running a sub. In that case more power may be what he needs to get the mid-range opened to his liking. Receivers in the class of his Pioneer have good power, but certainly not knock-your-socks-off power. I would say going with an amp is a very good idea, but I certainly wouldn't trade in CF-50's just get CF-70's. I think that would be a waste of money there.

I agree, I think the CF50s are capable of good dynamics if properly feed. I wouldn't just jump from one to another personally, unless music means that much that the added dynamics of the 70s is worth the investment if you are a committed 2-channel enthusiast, but then IMO you shouldnt be using a Pioneer receiver for music. One would be much happier with a Marantz or NAD Integrated Amp or better yet, a Virtue Audio IA for music play-back.

[Blu Balls]

I was looking at an emotiva upa2 to power the towers and just have my pioneer push the center. I would like to get the xpa 3 but, it's too big to fit in my tv stand and it's a bit more then I care to spend right now. One of my problems is that I can't seem to master the eq on my reciever. I probably need to run mcacc again because I try to tweak it to my liking and I end up throwing everything off. When you adjust the eq settings it's not to music or what's on tv but, to an annoying sound of snow or static. This makes it very difficult to find your listening preferences. I think the Upa2 would give my towers a little more help then what my pioneer can offer and also free up power to run my center more efficiently. What do you guys think?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

I was looking at an emotiva upa2 to power the towers and just have my pioneer push the center. I would like to get the xpa 3 but, it's too big to fit in my tv stand and it's a bit more then I care to spend right now. One of my problems is that I can't seem to master the eq on my reciever. I probably need to run mcacc again because I try to tweak it to my liking and I end up throwing everything off. When you adjust the eq settings it's not to music or what's on tv but, to an annoying sound of snow or static. This makes it very difficult to find your listening preferences. I think the Upa2 would give my towers a little more help then what my pioneer can offer and also free up power to run my center more efficiently. What do you guys think?

I think a UPA-2 will be a great way to add some juice to your fronts. Later down the line, add an UPA-1 to the center channel. Youre going to have to trust MCACC to balance your speakers and eq them if you want to use MCACC for music, otherwise put it into pure direct mode, and that will bypass the MCACC settings