The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[Clippins]

Took a little longer but I finally got my CR10s ordered today! That'll complete my 5 speaker Energy setup. Now I just need a sub. Hopefully can get that accomplished by end of August to mid-Sept. We shall see! Eventually I'll take some pics of this setup now that it's coming together.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Clippins

Took a little longer but I finally got my CR10s ordered today! That'll complete my 5 speaker Energy setup. Now I just need a sub. Hopefully can get that accomplished by end of August to mid-Sept. We shall see! Eventually I'll take some pics of this setup now that it's coming together.

sweet congrats.. what subs are you looking at?

[Clippins]

Originally Posted by callas01

sweet congrats.. what subs are you looking at?

I'm looking at mainly eD, HSU, and Outlaw. I haven't settled on any particular model yet. $400 to $600 is about the range these all fall under and about what I'd be willing to spend.

[darshanjoshi]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

A lot of it has to do with the quality of the components, 1000$ IA vs a 1000$ AVR makes the IA sound that much better because you don't pay for all the bells and wisthles it has like all the audio codecs, video inputs etc. as for the watts, I will tell you never get fooled by wattage, those are just numbers and this is why we all want you to audition before your purchase, I heard a 45wpc IA sound better than another 100wpc IA, one thing you have to look at also is that not all companies rate their products the same way, depends if you look ata distortion sometimes could be 100wpc at 1% thd while the other rates 45wpc at 0.02% thd, that is a huge difference. In wattage the most important is the amount of current nd not the voltage.

Voltage * Current = Wattage

The higher the current is the better it usually sounds so this is another reason 100 watts is not necessarly better than 45wpc. HK is one AVR company that is absolutely true to their specs, their 50wpc is often more than 100wpc of other avr, this 50 wpc is all channels driven at minimal distortion. Now Marantz use to be like that but since Denon boght them I am not sure. An avr can be very musical as long as you have the right one.

You might as well spend 1K on an good IA in this case, please do audition if you can.

I remember you telling about Voltage * Current = Wattage. But most of the Amps dont give this specification.

Secondly, when i auditioned, it was SR5005 (100wpc 0.08%, 20-20khz, Both Channels) vs PM6002 (45wpc 0.01%, 20-20khz, Both Channels). So you mean since 6002 is 0.01%, it will sound better than 5005? How do i check volt for 6002?

I am surely auditioning some IA's but unfortunately i cant have a demo with my RC50's.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by darshanjoshi

I remember you telling about Voltage * Current = Wattage. But most of the Amps dont give this specification.

Secondly, when i auditioned, it was SR5005 (100wpc 0.08%, 20-20khz, Both Channels) vs PM6002 (45wpc 0.01%, 20-20khz, Both Channels). So you mean since 6002 is 0.01%, it will sound better than 5005? How do i check volt for 6002?

I am surely auditioning some IA's but unfortunately i cant have a demo with my RC50's.

Well numbers don't tell all again some tube amps have some conservative number but amazing sound properties, distortion is only one part of the equation to good sound. HK advertises their Current like 35 amperes for instance. Companies who do so usually have high current design and are much subject to better sound but it's still only one part of the equation to good extension, dynamics and musical sound. It's not possible for you to bring the RC-50 for an audition?

I would say try the 100WPC Cambridge audio IA, I am sure you have a dealer near by.
The 6002 IA is more than likely going to sound better than you AVR, it has instant high current design with big toroïdal transformers with low impedance. That may mean nothing to you but truly and honestly IA are usually better suited for Music but as I said before some AVR can sound amazing for music.

Look I am buying ana AVR for my next purchase and i will use it for music but we are talking at an Arcam. All I have to say is numbers are just too tricky to be trusted, trust your ears and try to bring your speakers with you if you can. Only you will be able to tell if you like the sound or not.

[Miker107]

Well guys I have made a decision on a new sub. I have decided to save up a little and purchase an HSU VTF2 MK3. I had originally set my budget for a new sub to around $300, but I decided to up that to around the $500 range. For a while there the Lava was in the lead as my number one choice because it was in my price range. However, after comparing some specs and seeing the lower extension of the HSU I decided to up my budget. I'll probably have to wait until Christmas to get it, but it's worth the wait.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Well guys I have made a decision on a new sub. I have decided to save up a little and purchase an HSU VTF2 MK3. I had originally set my budget for a new sub to around $300, but I decided to up that to around the $500 range. For a while there the Lava was in the lead as my number one choice because it was in my price range. However, after comparing some specs and seeing the lower extension of the HSU I decided to up my budget. I'll probably have to wait until Christmas to get it, but it's worth the wait.

I do believe HSU make tremendous sub at that price, you just can't go wrong with this, it's got raved reviews.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Well guys I have made a decision on a new sub. I have decided to save up a little and purchase an HSU VTF2 MK3. I had originally set my budget for a new sub to around $300, but I decided to up that to around the $500 range. For a while there the Lava was in the lead as my number one choice because it was in my price range. However, after comparing some specs and seeing the lower extension of the HSU I decided to up my budget. I'll probably have to wait until Christmas to get it, but it's worth the wait.

Hsu makes great subwoofers. I was between the eD and the Hsu when it came time to buy a new sub. I heard the Hsu before I bought the eD, and I loved it. I really wanted the Hsu, but the wife was comparing prices and voted for the eD, when I got the eD was I pleased because it played about as well as the Hsu, and I save a few $$s. I have no regrets getting the eD, but I love to recommend the Hsu.

I really feel that whether you buy eD, Hsu, SVS or Outlaw, you won't go wrong. All for are great subs for the money.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by callas01

Hsu makes great subwoofers. I was between the eD and the Hsu when it came time to buy a new sub. I heard the Hsu before I bought the eD, and I loved it. I really wanted the Hsu, but the wife was comparing prices and voted for the eD, when I got the eD was I pleased because it played about as well as the Hsu, and I save a few $$s. I have no regrets getting the eD, but I love to recommend the Hsu.

I really feel that whether you buy eD, Hsu, SVS or Outlaw, you won't go wrong. All for are great subs for the money.

Yes Steve, I figured that as well. The 3 you mention were all on the top of my short list, but decided to go with HSU.

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I do believe HSU make tremendous sub at that price, you just can't go wrong with this, it's got raved reviews.

Yes Olivier, since the Ed and HSU were among my top choices, I figured I would spend a little extra for the HSU.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Yes Steve, I figured that as well. The 3 you mention were all on the top of my short list, but decided to go with HSU.



Yes Olivier, since the Ed and HSU were among my top choices, I figured I would spend a little extra for the HSU.

Thanks for all your help guys.

youll like that sub, the variable tuning is awesome. the 25 hz mode produces a lot of output, i kinda like that better then the 18 hz mode. play with it in your room, and see what you like more.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by callas01

youll like that sub, the variable tuning is awesome. the 25 hz mode produces a lot of output, i kinda like that better then the 18 hz mode. play with it in your room, and see what you like more.

Well, if it wasn't for you guys helping me with this stuff I would have never come as for as I have. And like you told me in one of your replies, I've come too for in my upgrades to settle for something less than what I could have.

Oh, and that is one of the things that I liked about this sub, is the ability to switch between different modes.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Well, if it wasn't for you guys helping me with this stuff I would have never come as for as I have. And like you told me in one of your replies, I've come too for in my upgrades to settle for something less than what I could have.

Seriously Mike i think that you will have something to be extremely proud of shorthly with the Integra and HSU with a super good front sound stage, you could complete the setup with the CR-10 as surrond which would be a significant upgrade over you Infinity.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Seriously Mike i think that you will have something to be extremely proud of shorthly with the Integra and HSU with a super good front sound stage, you could complete the setup with the CR-10 as surrond which would be a significant upgrade over you Infinity.

That would be an ideal set up for my little room to be sure. The grandkids sure have been enjoying it. They like to have a movie party at paw paw's house.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by callas01

youll like that sub, the variable tuning is awesome. the 25 hz mode produces a lot of output, i kinda like that better then the 18 hz mode. play with it in your room, and see what you like more.

So Steve, what do you think is better for movies, the Max output or Max extension mode? I would think it would be extension for movies. This is probably a better question for the HSU owners thread, but you my have some experience with this.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Miker107

So Steve, what do you think is better for movies, the Max output or Max extension mode? I would think it would be extension for movies. This is probably a better question for the HSU owners thread, but you my have some experience with this.

when you talk with Pete over at Hsu Research here in Anaheim, CA he told me that Max Output was better for movies as few movies really have bass that extend below 22 hz, however there are some... even movies we think have deep bass don't go as low as we expect. Understand that the Output mode starts roll off at 25 hz and its audible down to about 22 hz. The 18 hz Max Extension was there for people listening to music, deep bass of a pipe organ that can hit 16 hz. However that is more felt then heard. Movies are starting to put deep bass notes into movies, but its still less then you might imagine. The canons on Master and Commander hit pretty low. I love when they fire them. The Max Output mode will sound more room filling.

[Theil24]

Originally Posted by callas01

when you talk with Pete over at Hsu Research here in Anaheim, CA he told me that Max Output was better for movies as few movies really have bass that extend below 22 hz, however there are some... even movies we think have deep bass don't go as low as we expect. Understand that the Output mode starts roll off at 25 hz and its audible down to about 22 hz. The 18 hz Max Extension was there for people listening to music, deep bass of a pipe organ that can hit 16 hz. However that is more felt then heard. Movies are starting to put deep bass notes into movies, but its still less then you might imagine. The canons on Master and Commander hit pretty low. I love when they fire them. The Max Output mode will sound more room filling.

Interesting. I also looked at HSU before getting the eD. I wonder how that model of HSU compares to the eD A3-300 in terms of quality and output? So far no complaints with my A3-300 but I am curious....

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by callas01

when you talk with Pete over at Hsu Research here in Anaheim, CA he told me that Max Output was better for movies as few movies really have bass that extend below 22 hz, however there are some... even movies we think have deep bass don't go as low as we expect. Understand that the Output mode starts roll off at 25 hz and its audible down to about 22 hz. The 18 hz Max Extension was there for people listening to music, deep bass of a pipe organ that can hit 16 hz. However that is more felt then heard. Movies are starting to put deep bass notes into movies, but its still less then you might imagine. The canons on Master and Commander hit pretty low. I love when they fire them. The Max Output mode will sound more room filling.

Ah, I had it backwards. I watched the opening scene of Master and Commander the other day right after I got the Integra, and it was just too much for my poor old sub to handle. It was so funny cause my wife came in to the room to see what was going on. She said it sounded like the house was coming apart. 25 hz is still quite low, so I can see why output mode would be quite sufficient for movies.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by Theil24

Interesting. I also looked at HSU before getting the eD. I wonder how that model of HSU compares to the eD A3-300 in terms of quality and output? So far no complaints with my A3-300 but I am curious....

Theil, I was just looking at your HT gallery again. Where is your sub located; is it next to your seating position?

[Theil24]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Theil, I was just looking at your HT gallery again. Where is your sub located; is it next to your seating position?

Yes, against the wall and right next to the couch.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by Theil24

Yes, against the wall and right next to the couch.

Interesting, I'm going to experiment with placement with the new HSU when I get it. I've always assumed that it should be placed next to one of the front speakers, but I'm learning that is not necessarily the best position.