The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[donaldsonjune]

hello all,

i just hooked in a rotel rcc-1055 cd player to the 2-channel system. now the cr-30's will sing a little more. mp3 or cd's for smooth jazz now. i also use my droid x to get pandora radio. anyone else use their smart phone for internet radio?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

Jack, IAs are easily as effective as receivers. Take the Naim XS, its only 95 wpc and I heard it power the Dynaudio Focus 220 MKIIs with ease, we turned the knob only 1/4 of the way. It provided a ton of dynamic range. I heard the Octave V70SE (70 wpc) power the Dalis, Dynaudios, MLs, T+As, Areial's, and Revel Ulitma Studios. I heard the Octave V40 (40 wpc) power totems, Dynaudios, Dalis with ease. I heard MacIntosh IA Paradigm Studio 60s.... should I go on. Most well built IAs have oversized power supplies and very good transformers, and excellent amp sections in addition to great analog preamp sections. The Naim Nait 5i (45wpc) can easily power the Excite X32s, if it can power the 32s itll power the RC50s.

On this site, SeanMF and rded are using IAs to power Dynaudio Sapphires. You can ask them what they think of 70 and 80 wpc powering their speakers, and I can guarantee you that they will say it provides plenty of power and dynamic range.

Be careful with that statement.

Yup indeed the Arcam A28 was able to drive the Forest with ease too so IA are good for floor standers too I also know tons of IA that can drive the very demanding floor standing. tons of good IA out there that can drive Floorstanders, The naims XS is like 60wpc in 8ohms and would have absolutely no problem driving the RC-50.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

just because Energy speakers are linear, doesn't mean they cant throw out good bass when its called for. The Excites are very linear also, as well as the Contours, however if the source material(music for example) has high levels of bass, the speakers will still produce that bass... and it will sound good, deep and tight. However the bass will not be overproduced, that is what is meant by linear or balanced. If you take the Monitor Audio RS6s, they always have bass. Its built in as a mid-bass bump typically found around the 100 hz mark. this provides them with a great punch, and whether the source material has the bass or not, there will always be a greater sense of bass then what is actually recorded. Then when you hear the highs on the RS6s, they are a touch forward. Not bright, but aggressive.... this is a very dynamic speaker, but its certianly not linear.

not everyone wants linear speakers. That is why so many people like the Focus line over the Excites, they get a more dynamic presentation over the Excites. To each their own. But the Excites can still throw out deep bass.

I get you on that, I just wish you could hear them to comment . The thing is that they still are more dynamic that the C line and still throw out more bass, highs and mids are very laid back, am not saying they are not linear but what the OP is saying is quite odd to me.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by callas01

Jack, IAs are easily as effective as receivers. Take the Naim XS, its only 95 wpc and I heard it power the Dynaudio Focus 220 MKIIs with ease, we turned the knob only 1/4 of the way. It provided a ton of dynamic range. I heard the Octave V70SE (70 wpc) power the Dalis, Dynaudios, MLs, T+As, Areial's, and Revel Ulitma Studios. I heard the Octave V40 (40 wpc) power totems, Dynaudios, Dalis with ease. I heard MacIntosh IA Paradigm Studio 60s.... should I go on. Most well built IAs have oversized power supplies and very good transformers, and excellent amp sections in addition to great analog preamp sections. The Naim Nait 5i (45wpc) can easily power the Excite X32s, if it can power the 32s itll power the RC50s.

On this site, SeanMF and rded are using IAs to power Dynaudio Sapphires. You can ask them what they think of 70 and 80 wpc powering their speakers, and I can guarantee you that they will say it provides plenty of power and dynamic range.

Be careful with that statement.

I didn't say that an integrated can't be effective. I said that an integrated that would do what he want would be costly...like the brands you've mentioned...expensive. Also, 70watts/channel is fine for those speakers, but they can handle 225watts/channel RMS so I would personally still want at least twice as much power as most integrated amps will offer to open them up more.

His Marantz has plenty of power for those Sony speakers, so he's getting the most out of them, but he's not getting the most out of his RC-50's...not even close. Keep in mind that the SR5005 and SR6005 are not as powerful as the previous gen Marantz receivers. The OP can replace the AVR with a more powerful one or an expensive integrated, but I still think the addition of an amp is the better way to go.

He likes the Marantz/Sony combo so I don't think its the sound of the receiver that he is dissatisfied with. I think its the lack of power since the RC-50's are vastly superior to those Sony speakers. Of course I'm just speculating. Its totally feasible that he just doesn't like the sound of those speakers, but my gut tells me its the lack of power.

[Clippins]

Got my CC10 all hooked up! I was able to work it to where both my TV and center can be on the top of the entertainment stand. I thought that it they both wouldn't fit and that if they did the center would cover up part of the screen. I've got about a centimeter of space between the top of the center and where the screen begins on my TV so no picture blockage. Only a bit of the TV is hanging off the back of the stand but it's stable and not going anywhere. Figure this works for now until I upgrade my display to a flat panel plasma at some point. I've reduced the volume to -25 and have HBOHD playing in Dolby Digital to help break in this center.

Now all I've got to do is get the CR10 surrounds which I plan on doing mid July and then pick up the all important sub to complete this audio experience...for now at least!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I didn't say that an integrated can't be effective. I said that an integrated that would do what he want would be costly...like the brands you've mentioned...expensive. Also, 70watts/channel is fine for those speakers, but they can handle 225watts/channel RMS so I would personally still want at least twice as much power as most integrated amps will offer to open them up more.

His Marantz has plenty of power for those Sony speakers, so he's getting the most out of them, but he's not getting the most out of his RC-50's...not even close. Keep in mind that the SR5005 and SR6005 are not as powerful as the previous gen Marantz receivers. The OP can replace the AVR with a more powerful one or an expensive integrated, but I still think the addition of an amp is the better way to go.

He likes the Marantz/Sony combo so I don't think its the sound of the receiver that he is dissatisfied with. I think its the lack of power since the RC-50's are vastly superior to those Sony speakers. Of course I'm just speculating. Its totally feasible that he just doesn't like the sound of those speakers, but my gut tells me its the lack of power.

well... I noticed on the 5006 that the receiver pulls an extra 50 watts of power from the wall over the 5005, maybe the 5005 is underpowering the RC50s. MPO, is that the OP wants to the highs to be less recessed, and that is why I think the Pioneer SC would be a better receiver for him with the RCs.


Now Ill agree that getting a PA would be an easy fix to provide more power and more dynamics. I think a different pre-amp section would be good for him, one that might be a touch on the forward side, as I think hes a little underwhelmed by the laidback sound... and it would help pull the highs out a little more... but thats just me.

These speakers take 350 watts, I have heard them sing with 70 watts/ch, here is the IA that I have heard them with. And they filled a 2500 square foot show room. These speakers handle 300 watts and are being powered with the same IA by SeanMF. He'll tell you that they get loud, very loud and drive the bass very well, so well that his neighbors have complained. Now I understand that that IA is $6800, however the Naim Nait 5i is $1695 and produces 45 wpc. You will be really surprised by how much volume and power that 45 wpc will produce. Here is a 100 watt stereo receiver that I have heard, and left me with an impression that I will never forget. I didn't ask my dealer how much it was, but its badass, and only 100 wpc. It sounded better and more powerful then the 200-250 wpc McIntosh monos that Ive heard.

Im not saying that a 300 wpc Krell Monoblock won't provide more power, But Im saying that you can get a lot from a well design and built IA that only has 40-70 wpc. And Im also saying that IAs are not just meant for Monitors, as you had eluded to in your previous post. That was the point of my previous post.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by callas01

well... I noticed on the 5006 that the receiver pulls an extra 50 watts of power from the wall over the 5005, maybe the 5005 is underpowering the RC50s. MPO, is that the OP wants to the highs to be less recessed, and that is why I think the Pioneer SC would be a better receiver for him with the RCs.


Now Ill agree that getting a PA would be an easy fix to provide more power and more dynamics. I think a different pre-amp section would be good for him, one that might be a touch on the forward side, as I think hes a little underwhelmed by the laidback sound... and it would help pull the highs out a little more... but thats just me.

These speakers take 350 watts, I have heard them sing with 70 watts/ch, here is the IA that I have heard them with. And they filled a 2500 square foot show room. These speakers handle 300 watts and are being powered with the same IA by SeanMF. He'll tell you that they get loud, very loud and drive the bass very well, so well that his neighbors have complained. Now I understand that that IA is $6800, however the Naim Nait 5i is $1695 and produces 45 wpc. You will be really surprised by how much volume and power that 45 wpc will produce. Here is a 100 watt stereo receiver that I have heard, and left me with an impression that I will never forget. I didn't ask my dealer how much it was, but its badass, and only 100 wpc. It sounded better and more powerful then the 200-250 wpc McIntosh monos that Ive heard.

Im not saying that a 300 wpc Krell Monoblock won't provide more power, But Im saying that you can get a lot from a well design and built IA that only has 40-70 wpc. And Im also saying that IAs are not just meant for Monitors, as you had eluded to in your previous post. That was the point of my previous post.

Those are good IA's that prove your point, the only problem is they outclass the RC-50's price and performance point by a large margin. Would you really be considering those if you owned the RC 50's?

[Adam.C]

Originally Posted by Clippins

Got my CC10 all hooked up! I was able to work it to where both my TV and center can be on the top of the entertainment stand. I thought that it they both wouldn't fit and that if they did the center would cover up part of the screen. I've got about a centimeter of space between the top of the center and where the screen begins on my TV so no picture blockage. Only a bit of the TV is hanging off the back of the stand but it's stable and not going anywhere. Figure this works for now until I upgrade my display to a flat panel plasma at some point. I've reduced the volume to -25 and have HBOHD playing in Dolby Digital to help break in this center.

Now all I've got to do is get the CR10 surrounds which I plan on doing mid July and then pick up the all important sub to complete this audio experience...for now at least!

I would suggest maybe plugging the ports in that configuration. Experiment both ways...

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

Those are good IA's that prove your point, the only problem is they outclass the RC-50's price and performance point by a large margin. Would you really be considering those if you owned the RC 50's?

in all honesty, I wasn't saying to power the RC-50s with an Octave V70/V70SE..... I think the Naim Nait 5i would be a great match for the RC50s. Both retail in the $1500 range. Perhaps the Cambridge Audio 740A, Music Hall A35.2, Creek Evolution 2, NAD C-375BEE, Vincent Audio has some.... there are dozens of IAs that are $1k or less that could prove my point.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by callas01

in all honesty, I wasn't saying to power the RC-50s with an Octave V70/V70SE..... I think the Naim Nait 5i would be a great match for the RC50s. Both retail in the $1500 range. Perhaps the Cambridge Audio 740A, Music Hall A35.2, Creek Evolution 2, NAD C-375BEE, Vincent Audio has some.... there are dozens of IAs that are $1k or less that could prove my point.

I guess I just read what you were trying to say the wrong way, I think something for $1k would be the high water mark for these speakers.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aces high

I guess I just read what you were trying to say the wrong way, I think something for $1k would be the high water mark for these speakers.

No worries, I can understand the misunderstanding of what I was trying to say exactly..... some of those are $799 up to $1200ish.... I think an IA in that range with a good pedigree should be able to power the RC50s just fine.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by aces high

Those are good IA's that prove your point, the only problem is they outclass the RC-50's price and performance point by a large margin. Would you really be considering those if you owned the RC 50's?

The $1695 45 wpc Naim 5i would drive them with no problem, as you know current is the key here. This is not much over retail price of the RC-50.

[Clippins]

Originally Posted by Adam.C

I would suggest maybe plugging the ports in that configuration. Experiment both ways...

Not a bad suggestion, just don't have the port plugs. There's like barely any space between the back of the speaker and the TV so it's kinda like they are plugged in a way. In any event, the CC10 sounds good, even at this low volume I have it at.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Clippins

Not a bad suggestion, just don't have the port plugs. There's like barely any space between the back of the speaker and the TV so it's kinda like they are plugged in a way. In any event, the CC10 sounds good, even at this low volume I have it at.

the foam port plugs should have been included with the CC10... keeping them open may cause the center to sound a little boomy since the ports are that close to the TV, plugging them should tighten up the bass, but will decrease output a little.

[cxr369]

Originally Posted by callas01

the foam port plugs should have been included with the CC10... keeping them open may cause the center to sound a little boomy since the ports are that close to the TV, plugging them should tighten up the bass, but will decrease output a little.

Energy stopped including the port plugs, I called and they said once Klipsch took them over they discontinued the port plugs. They said it was big in Canada but they did not see any benefits to it. I don't understand why they don't just include them.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by cxr369

Energy stopped including the port plugs, I called and they said once Klipsch took them over they discontinued the port plugs. They said it was big in Canada but they did not see any benefits to it. I don't understand why they don't just include them.

wow.... that is cheap. then they should just make the ports on the front of the speaker to help with placement options.... really how much does cutting foam cost?

[Clippins]

Originally Posted by callas01

wow.... that is cheap. then they should just make the ports on the front of the speaker to help with placement options.... really how much does cutting foam cost?

Yeah no doubt it's cheap. No port plugs included with either the CF-70s or the CC10.

[callas01]

my center channel costs $850 list, it has a 12% mark up, and they include both the angled plinth and port plugs... Obviously, the Energy's have more margin them my center channel... I don't see why they can't include port plugs...

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

my center channel costs $850 list, it has a 12% mark up, and they include both the angled plinth and port plugs... Obviously, the Energy's have more margin them my center channel... I don't see why they can't include port plugs...

Who makes 12% Dynaudio or your dealer?

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by callas01

well... I noticed on the 5006 that the receiver pulls an extra 50 watts of power from the wall over the 5005, maybe the 5005 is underpowering the RC50s. MPO, is that the OP wants to the highs to be less recessed, and that is why I think the Pioneer SC would be a better receiver for him with the RCs.


Now Ill agree that getting a PA would be an easy fix to provide more power and more dynamics. I think a different pre-amp section would be good for him, one that might be a touch on the forward side, as I think hes a little underwhelmed by the laidback sound... and it would help pull the highs out a little more... but thats just me.

These speakers take 350 watts, I have heard them sing with 70 watts/ch, here is the IA that I have heard them with. And they filled a 2500 square foot show room. These speakers handle 300 watts and are being powered with the same IA by SeanMF. He'll tell you that they get loud, very loud and drive the bass very well, so well that his neighbors have complained. Now I understand that that IA is $6800, however the Naim Nait 5i is $1695 and produces 45 wpc. You will be really surprised by how much volume and power that 45 wpc will produce. Here is a 100 watt stereo receiver that I have heard, and left me with an impression that I will never forget. I didn't ask my dealer how much it was, but its badass, and only 100 wpc. It sounded better and more powerful then the 200-250 wpc McIntosh monos that Ive heard.

Im not saying that a 300 wpc Krell Monoblock won't provide more power, But Im saying that you can get a lot from a well design and built IA that only has 40-70 wpc. And Im also saying that IAs are not just meant for Monitors, as you had eluded to in your previous post. That was the point of my previous post.

I understand where you're going Callas, and like I said I wasn't saying that an IA can't do what he wants. The very thing I said before the statement you quoted stated that it would be costly to do it. That's all. I mean he could get a cheap integrated, but you get what you pay for and that would be self-defeating. And true some people do use IA's for towers, but most people do indeed use them for bookshelf speakers.

As you know yourself high-end bookshelf speakers are favored over high-end towers by many audiophiles, and they also tend to use IA's or tube amps. I am familiar with Naim for instance, but I've never heard one. I've read nothing but positive things about the brand, but I've also seen the prices. As far as IA's go I'd say that they are actually pretty affordable when compared to many other brands though. Even the Harman Kardon HK 990 is $2400.

Now, what I was thinking is that the OP feels that his receiver sounds dynamic with the very easy to drive Sony speakers, but not so much with the more power hungry Energy speakers. This is why I feel that a lack of power is the culprit, and I would take advantage of the pre-outs and add an amp. Granted...the OP could also just be underwhelmed by the processing of the receiver altogether. I've heard the SR5005 and I don't find any problems with its sound processing, but I do agree that there is better out there.

When I checked out the Martin Logan ElectroMotions recently I listened to them on an SC-35, and all I can say is....WOW! The SC series never ceases to impress me, and there are few receivers out there that I would chose over one. I guess the question that we really need to ask of the OP is how much does he want to spend? That would make recommendations a lot easier.