The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[callas01]

Originally Posted by cxr369

I have the CF 70's paired with the Definitive Pro 800 as surrounds and the Energy CC10 as the center channel. I also have it hooked up to a Pioneer Elite VSX 33 and a Klipsch SW 450 sub.

The best part was putting it all together now I don't know what to do or what else to get. I did the Auto calibration and it sounds great but I'm thinking it can sound a little better. Don't know what else to do though.

well what do you think is lacking?

[Eggiwegs2]

Hi, this is my first post on the forum. I've read about the last 100 or so messages in this thread, but I haven't seen much info on the V-Minis (it seems most of the members have bigger setups). Has anybody had any experience with them? My current setup consists of the Take Classics and a BK Gemini II sub. My receiver is a Denon 1611, although the European model is only 5.1, so I'm assuming it's more akin to the 591.

I was hoping someone has some experience with the V-Minis and could tell me if they would give me a bit more detail than my current system. Obviously with the drivers being bigger (1" tweeter and 4.5" woofer vs. 3/4" and 3"), on paper it should be a significant upgrade, but there's nothing like a little real-world experience, albeit in a real world different than MY living room. I don't listen to ANYTHING very loud (in my living room I'll listen to Jazz at around -25db, Rock/Pop around -28db or so, regular TV at -35db and HT at around -25 to -20db, depending on the source material's volume levels. Anything louder than these levels start to verge on the uncomfortable for my ears). I'm not a huge bass head, and even lowered the subwoofer level Audyssey gave me by a few db after calibration, although that's more so as not to annoy the neighbors than anything else. My listening habits are roughly 70% TV/HT and 30% Music.

Any help would be very much appreciated, and to give some idea, here in Spain it would cost me around €500 ($731) to upgrade the front soundstage, and I'd keep the Takes as surround. Also, I couldn't really audition the speakers as there are no Energy dealers in Madrid. Obviously it is purely subjective whether the upgrade is "worth it", but a few expert opinions couldn't hurt.

Thanks to anyone that can help a guy out...

[darshanjoshi]

Using my Rc50's with Marantz for a while. I am satisfied with the combo. Only for some set of songs, i feel whole system lacks in mid range and bass is little boomy. My friend runs Energy C500 with Marantz SR 5005 and it seems the combo is much better and clear in mids.

I have tried Audessey Settings but was more satisfied with Manual settings. Will it help drastically if i add an external amp? If yes, which is best match with RC50?
I did side by side comparison of Marantz PM6003 and SR5005 and did not find drastic difference.

Please give your suggestions.

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by Reference_head

Adding a second sub will in most cases make a huge improvement.

This sub is plenty strong, I'm in an apartment complex another sub and I'll get kicked out lol.

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by callas01

well what do you think is lacking?

Well I was finally able to play the front heights at the same time as the surround backs, which made a big improvement on being able to feel the surround effects but I think the Auto MACC is not calibrating it to its potential. I hear you need 100 hours before you can really tune it, don't know how true that is, but when I do use the setting and switch it to a memory slot without the calibration the system is louder at the same volume level. I have to put the receiver all the way down to -10 and it maxes out at +12 is that normal?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by cxr369

This sub is plenty strong, I'm in an apartment complex another sub and I'll get kicked out lol.

The improvement is not in output but more to even out the bass response in the room although bass is not as directional than mids and highs it helps to have 2 subs in a room properly postionned so you don't feel the bass coming from one specific spot..

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by darshanjoshi

Using my Rc50's with Marantz for a while. I am satisfied with the combo. Only for some set of songs, i feel whole system lacks in mid range and bass is little boomy. My friend runs Energy C500 with Marantz SR 5005 and it seems the combo is much better and clear in mids.

I have tried Audessey Settings but was more satisfied with Manual settings. Will it help drastically if i add an external amp? If yes, which is best match with RC50?
I did side by side comparison of Marantz PM6003 and SR5005 and did not find drastic difference.

Please give your suggestions.

Mids on the RC 50 are super smooth, you would defenately like the new Veritas, altho your friend has the C-500 i think you have far superior speakers that reveal more details up above, for the boominess what is your speaker placement, i sure can recommend an amp but it depends what you use it for? Music or HT or both.

You probably need to play around with postionning, room treat ment would greatly help judging by your room i think you have alot of sound boucing around and your speaker could be a little to close to the wall try 3 feet away from it.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Eggiwegs2

Hi, this is my first post on the forum. I've read about the last 100 or so messages in this thread, but I haven't seen much info on the V-Minis (it seems most of the members have bigger setups). Has anybody had any experience with them? My current setup consists of the Take Classics and a BK Gemini II sub. My receiver is a Denon 1611, although the European model is only 5.1, so I'm assuming it's more akin to the 591.

I was hoping someone has some experience with the V-Minis and could tell me if they would give me a bit more detail than my current system. Obviously with the drivers being bigger (1" tweeter and 4.5" woofer vs. 3/4" and 3"), on paper it should be a significant upgrade, but there's nothing like a little real-world experience, albeit in a real world different than MY living room. I don't listen to ANYTHING very loud (in my living room I'll listen to Jazz at around -25db, Rock/Pop around -28db or so, regular TV at -35db and HT at around -25 to -20db, depending on the source material's volume levels. Anything louder than these levels start to verge on the uncomfortable for my ears). I'm not a huge bass head, and even lowered the subwoofer level Audyssey gave me by a few db after calibration, although that's more so as not to annoy the neighbors than anything else. My listening habits are roughly 70% TV/HT and 30% Music.

Any help would be very much appreciated, and to give some idea, here in Spain it would cost me around €500 ($731) to upgrade the front soundstage, and I'd keep the Takes as surround. Also, I couldn't really audition the speakers as there are no Energy dealers in Madrid. Obviously it is purely subjective whether the upgrade is "worth it", but a few expert opinions couldn't hurt.

Thanks to anyone that can help a guy out...

I will give you an answer on this later today

[Eggiwegs2]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I will give you an answer on this later today

Great, I appreciate it.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by darshanjoshi

Using my Rc50's with Marantz for a while. I am satisfied with the combo. Only for some set of songs, i feel whole system lacks in mid range and bass is little boomy. My friend runs Energy C500 with Marantz SR 5005 and it seems the combo is much better and clear in mids.

I have tried Audessey Settings but was more satisfied with Manual settings. Will it help drastically if i add an external amp? If yes, which is best match with RC50?
I did side by side comparison of Marantz PM6003 and SR5005 and did not find drastic difference.

Please give your suggestions.

your right front is way to close to the wall. Being rear ported, they should be at least 1.5' away from the wall. Wall treatments, an area rug.... your room as a lot to do with the way speakers sound.


oops, I see Oliver addressed this already also...

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

your right front is way to close to the wall. Being rear ported, they should be at least 1.5' away from the wall. Wall treatments, an area rug.... your room as a lot to do with the way speakers sound.


oops, I see Oliver addressed this already also...

I suggested 3 feet since they move alot of air I can assure you that much I had 24 inches before with my C-500 and thaught I could bring them out more but my room was to small, i have the Rainmakers 27 inches away from the back wall.

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I suggested 3 feet since they move alot of air I can assure you that much I had 24 inches before with my C-500 and thaught I could bring them out more but my room was to small, i have the Rainmakers 27 inches away from the back wall.

what distance do you suggest for the cf 70s that I have?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by cxr369

Well I was finally able to play the front heights at the same time as the surround backs, which made a big improvement on being able to feel the surround effects but I think the Auto MACC is not calibrating it to its potential. I hear you need 100 hours before you can really tune it, don't know how true that is, but when I do use the setting and switch it to a memory slot without the calibration the system is louder at the same volume level. I have to put the receiver all the way down to -10 and it maxes out at +12 is that normal?

Did you audition the speakers before buying?

Energy speakers are very balanced, but have good dynamic range. They're a little laidback sounding. Because they are a little laidback they dont pop out in your face like something more forward sounding, say like Paradigm Monitors.(However it sounds like according to DLS, the speakers reverse rolls in the Studios v Veritas lines). Im not familiar with MCACC, so I cannot help you with that. Having your receiver at -10 dbs seems like it should be screaming at you. My sales rep wants a pair of CF-70s and CC-10, when we went into Best Buy demo room, which is setup like a HT with Energy mains on one wall and surrounds behind you, then you have B&Ws in the exact reverse, anyways, the sound is actually quite good while powered with a Yamaha receiver(A1000). We did not have to turn it up that high and it sounded loud, Inception was in full effect. If you want screaming highs, then you might own the wrong speakers. If you prefer something brighter, then look at Klispch, Monitor Audio or Paradigm.

It could be your room acoustics, It could be that they aren't the sound you really prefer. It could be the associated equipment, like your Pioneer, perhaps a recevier like Yamaha or a Marantz will be a better match for you, over even Onkyo/Integra, maybe Audyssey is better then MCACC. Auditioning is key when selecting speakers, but that sound can change some when you get them home, Your room plays a big roll in the sound you get, and so does the associated equip.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by cxr369

what distance do you suggest for the cf 70s that I have?

I would about 3 feet but 24 inches, even 18 inches should do it I mean if they don't sound boomy then fine. I have not experience as much with the CF-70 but I think the RC are a little more dynamic and rear ported so RC are better with more clearance.

Being front ported also you don't need as much as the RC since the RC is back ported, it's a little more sensitive to placement.

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by callas01

Did you audition the speakers before buying?

Energy speakers are very balanced, but have good dynamic range. They're a little laidback sounding. Because they are a little laidback they dont pop out in your face like something more forward sounding, say like Paradigm Monitors.(However it sounds like according to DLS, the speakers reverse rolls in the Studios v Veritas lines). Im not familiar with MCACC, so I cannot help you with that. Having your receiver at -10 dbs seems like it should be screaming at you. My sales rep wants a pair of CF-70s and CC-10, when we went into Best Buy demo room, which is setup like a HT with Energy mains on one wall and surrounds behind you, then you have B&Ws in the exact reverse, anyways, the sound is actually quite good while powered with a Yamaha receiver(A1000). We did not have to turn it up that high and it sounded loud, Inception was in full effect. If you want screaming highs, then you might own the wrong speakers. If you prefer something brighter, then look at Klispch, Monitor Audio or Paradigm.

It could be your room acoustics, It could be that they aren't the sound you really prefer. It could be the associated equipment, like your Pioneer, perhaps a recevier like Yamaha or a Marantz will be a better match for you, over even Onkyo/Integra, maybe Audyssey is better then MCACC. Auditioning is key when selecting speakers, but that sound can change some when you get them home, Your room plays a big roll in the sound you get, and so does the associated equip.

I did demo them at Best Buy. Thanks for the feedback, don't get me wrong at -10 they blast when playing a blu ray but not cable tv. Should I invest in having someone calibrate it for me and how much would that run me. There are so many variables that it can get a little confusing. I just want to know I'm getting the most out of my system.
7
I spoke with Magnolia and Pioneer and they told me that the elite is rated at 110 watts x 7 channels at 8ohms but that since the speakers can handle six ohms it automatically realizes that and the receiver switches itself to 6ohms and kicks out 150 watts x 7. I am thinking this should be enough to properly power the speakers, am I right?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by cxr369

I did demo them at Best Buy. Thanks for the feedback, don't get me wrong at -10 they blast when playing a blu ray but not cable tv. Should I invest in having someone calibrate it for me and how much would that run me. There are so many variables that it can get a little confusing. I just want to know I'm getting the most out of my system.
7
I spoke with Magnolia and Pioneer and they told me that the elite is rated at 110 watts x 7 channels at 8ohms but that since the speakers can handle six ohms it automatically realizes that and the receiver switches itself to 6ohms and kicks out 150 watts x 7. I am thinking this should be enough to properly power the speakers, am I right?

Remind me what model of receiver do you have?

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Remind me what model of receiver do you have?

Pioneer Elite VSX-33

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by cxr369

Pioneer Elite VSX-33

Ok I don't want to burst you bubble but a 110 wpc rated pwer Pioneer 1120 on HT mag bench marked 52.3 watts with 5 channels driven and 47.1 watts with all channels driven which is even less powerful than my 50 wpc HK avr-254.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/p...comment-482373

Not sur if it would measure the same way with your VSX-33 thogh, of course adding a power amp would help but is it a must for now?


Elite are nice receivers with great bells and whistles but for me they are not my favorites because of the way they sound, a little to bright and usually nhot as dynamic as an HK or an Integra, JMO this is subjective here, it depends on speakers also but the CF need something really gutsy to perform their best. It depends what you are looking for in sound. Again you can't just rely on specs when buying something cause each company makes their measurement differently, BB rep are not the most knowledgeable people out there, I just want to warn you, you just got to know what you are buying that's all.

the SC-37 puts out good numbers 164 watts at 1% distortion all channels driven.

1% distortion at 164.7 watts

http://www.hometheater.com/content/p...-labs-measures

I just wish to do a little education in what to be aware of when shopping for something.

Look I even looked at benchmark for the HK AVR-147 wich is less powerful than my 254 and it puts out 78.3 watts with all 5 channels driven at 1 % distortion.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/t...-harman-kardon

Tell us what you like and maybe we can direct you to the right amp.

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Ok I don't want to burst you bubble but a 110 wpc rated pwer Pioneer 1120 on HT mag bench marked 52.3 watts with 5 channels driven and 47.1 watts with all channels driven which is even less powerful than my 50 wpc HK avr-254.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/p...comment-482373

Not sur if it would measure the same way with your VSX-33 thogh, of course adding a power amp would help but is it a must for now?


Elite are nice receivers with great bells and whistles but for me they are not my favorites because of the way they sound, a little to bright and usually nhot as dynamic as an HK or an Integra, JMO this is subjective here, it depends on speakers also but the CF need something really gutsy to perform their best. It depends what you are looking for in sound. Again you can't just rely on specs when buying something cause each company makes their measurement differently, BB rep are not the most knowledgeable people out there, I just want to warn you, you just got to know what you are buying that's all.

the SC-37 puts out good numbers 164 watts at 1% distortion all channels driven.

1% distortion at 164.7 watts

http://www.hometheater.com/content/p...-labs-measures

I just wish to do a little education in what to be aware of when shopping for something.

Look I even looked at benchmark for the HK AVR-147 wich is less powerful than my 254 and it puts out 78.3 watts with all 5 channels driven at 1 % distortion.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/t...-harman-kardon

Tell us what you like and maybe we can direct you to the right amp.

Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I'm talking about, so many false numbers. I even talked to pioneer directly and they told me it was 150x7 at 6ohms. I bought the VSX33 because I thought I was getting a good deal. They had it listed for $1000 and I bought it for $600.

As far as the SC 37 I would have to pay an extra $1400 to get it after returning the VSX33. As you mentioned I could get an amp, what do you think of the Emotiva XPA 5? I could use the amp for the left, center, right, and front heights while using the receiver for the two surround backs. How would that sound?

As far as a receiver I don't know what's the most important. I know I need 3D passthrough but other than that not sure. I was told the video processor is important but know I don't know since I was told to turn it off since my 64PND7000 is a excellent tv and the blu ray player is good too. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by cxr369

Thanks for the info, that is exactly what I'm talking about, so many false numbers. I even talked to pioneer directly and they told me it was 150x7 at 6ohms. I bought the VSX33 because I thought I was getting a good deal. They had it listed for $1000 and I bought it for $600.

As far as the SC 37 I would have to pay an extra $1400 to get it after returning the VSX33. As you mentioned I could get an amp, what do you think of the Emotiva XPA 5? I could use the amp for the left, center, right, and front heights while using the receiver for the two surround backs. How would that sound?

As far as a receiver I don't know what's the most important. I know I need 3D passthrough but other than that not sure. I was told the video processor is important but know I don't know since I was told to turn it off since my 64PND7000 is a excellent tv and the blu ray player is good too. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Emo makes decent amps, from all that i have gathered.

Look at these also.
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NAT955
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/7125.html
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/7075.html