The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[Bellingham Blu]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Hi!

I have found the Energy Take 5 Classic pack at $149 at Newegg.com

Is that a good deal, and would this ensemble marry well with a Polk Audio CSW10 sub (that I already have) ?

Thanks!

The Energy Take 5 Classic for $149 is an excellent deal. I bought it a few months ago for that price and I couldn't be happier.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by jjmbxkb

Hi, everyone: I have been, and still am, in the process of finishing up my basement HT/media area construction. I've got a lot of help from people on this forum.

Right now, I am thinking about getting 2 RC-MINI's as my back surrounds. I noticed the frequency response range for RC-MINI is from 80 hz up. My question is will I be OK if I set the X-over on the receiver to be 80 hz, or should I go up to 100 or 120?

I currently have RC 70's as mains, RC-LCR as center, RC-R's as side surrounds.

Thanks very much.

I'd give them a try with the X-Over set to 80hz since the RC-mini are very capable speakers for their size. Some receivers will allow you to change the X-over by 10hz increment in that case I would go to 90hz. If you read the instruction manual from Energy they recommend using 100hz X-over setting.

It's your call but I would just try and if you feel they botom out at 80 increase the frquency to 100hz.

I also dunno how your receiver allows you to change X-over settings as on some receivers, it's independent by pair of speakers, my Harman allows me to choose X-over for each pair and allows me to choose which channels I want the sub to pick up it's frequency from. I can have my fronts set to 60hz and all other speakers at 80 for eaxample and choose the surround speaker as the X-over setting for the sub, would mean an overlap here between fronts and sub but you get the idea.

So in your case with all speakers set to small and all X-over set to 80hz except the rc-mini at 100hz, your sub could pick up 80 and lower.

Not sure if your receiver is capable of doing this, you could be stuck with the 100hz X-Over in this case.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Hi!

I have found the Energy Take 5 Classic pack at $149 at Newegg.com

Is that a good deal, and would this ensemble marry well with a Polk Audio CSW10 sub (that I already have) ?

Thanks!

I have a hard time finding your sub but could it be the PSW 10 as CSW 10 returns an infinity sub?

Take Classic 5 would work well with the PSW10 for sure since it's not an over powered sub vs satellite speakers.

[jjmbxkb]

Hi, BigAl87: Thanks very much for the explanation.

My receiver is Pioneer VSX03, which does not do variable low pass crossover's. It's one crossover setting for all speakers. This pretty much rules out RC mini as back surrounds as I don't intend to change receiver any time soon.

Thanks again.

[callas01]

why not go with the C-50s, they can get to 65 hz, and if you need to change the color of them to match the RCs, you can ask crazyblue, he change the color of his Polks.

[jjmbxkb]

Thanks for the tip on the C50. The only possible place for me to add a pair of rear surrounds is a 11+ inch sofit at the back of the HT/Media area. I am looking for something that can be hidden completed hidden behind it (11" high max), and must be wall mountable. C50 certainly fits the needs and only costs $85 from audioadvisor.

While I was searching for C50, I saw the new CR-10 (http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...r-10-overview/). I am really tempted by its bi/di option and the vertical disperson angle. But will it sound too different to blend with the RCs? Also, the speaker will be mounted very close to the ceiling and the tweeter on its top will be firing directly into the ceiling from only several inches away, will that be a problem?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by jjmbxkb

Thanks for the tip on the C50. The only possible place for me to add a pair of rear surrounds is a 11+ inch sofit at the back of the HT/Media area. I am looking for something that can be hidden completed hidden behind it (11" high max), and must be wall mountable. C50 certainly fits the needs and only costs $85 from audioadvisor.

While I was searching for C50, I saw the new CR-10 (http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...r-10-overview/). I am really tempted by its bi/di option and the vertical disperson angle. But will it sound too different to blend with the RCs? Also, the speaker will be mounted very close to the ceiling and the tweeter on its top will be firing directly into the ceiling from only several inches away, will that be a problem?

I would suggest that you keep the upper tweeter at least 12-18 from the ceiling, much like you would speakers from a wall. You will want to keep them set as bipole if they are in the back.

Sound blend, I am not so sure about. I think the older C-series may blend better then the new C series.... but bipoles would be great for encompassing sound

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by callas01

I would suggest that you keep the upper tweeter at least 12-18 from the ceiling, much like you would speakers from a wall. You will want to keep them set as bipole if they are in the back.

Sound blend, I am not so sure about. I think the older C-series may blend better then the new C series.... but bipoles would be great for encompassing sound

Why not go with the perfect match and get 2 more RC-R's since they can be set as bipole or direct radiating speakers?

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Yes, bipolar setting will be better for your room arrangement.

Please do not get offended. I am just trying to be helpful. I really do not like your front speakers inside the cabinets. You are making the cabinets part of your front speakers and listening to them instead of the speakers. Take them out and give them some breathing room. I will guarantee that you will get improved sound stage and much better mid and high level frequencies.

Originally Posted by Bluray_ne1

Absolutely no offense taken! I honestly appreciate your feedback.

I agree with you. I've been looking for an excuse to pull the foam port plugs out of them for a long time!! I just wish there was a way to accommodate the suggestion. As you can see, my placement options are limited. I suppose a couple of speaker stands in the corners outside of the cabinets might do the trick. But that area is so small, I'm afraid that they will end up being too close to the walls and perform poorly (too much reverberation in an enclosed area). I guess the only way to find out is to try it.

Well Big Daddy, once again you were spot on.

I took the speakers out of the cabinets and placed them onto some tray tables between the cabinets and the walls. I re-ran the audio setup on my receiver and...wow. The difference was noticeable. The mids and highs really did open up nicely. There was a bit of boominess initially in the low end from being in the corner, but that was compensated for by adjusting the EQ.

Now that the speakers are sitting on the tray tables, they are lowered to a level that is even with the center, making for an even smoother transition in the front sound stage. Now all I need to do is find some quality 26" speaker stands and I'm in business. I'll post some new pics once I get them in.

Thanks again for the suggestion Big Daddy! Your input is always appreciated.

[BigAl87]

Blueray how do you have your X-over setup on yours? You have rc-mini as back surrounds.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by jjmbxkb

Hi, BigAl87: Thanks very much for the explanation.

My receiver is Pioneer VSX03, which does not do variable low pass crossover's. It's one crossover setting for all speakers. This pretty much rules out RC mini as back surrounds as I don't intend to change receiver any time soon.

Thanks again.

Your receiver is better than mine indeed an Elite you have my HK is 4 years old It's just the way the build in bass management is made it's unfortunate but as Callas said C-50 could be an option they are a better match to your RC than the new conoisseur CB-R10 in this case. Ultimately speaking I would go with Bluray's idea of adding 2 more RC-R

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Blueray how do you have your X-over setup on yours? You have rc-mini as back surrounds.

Mine is set to 80.

[jjmbxkb]

RC-R's will be good if I could mount them at the same level as the side surrounds, about 5.5' to 6'. If I get them for rears, they will have to be installed right up against the 8' ceiling, as the back side of the room is open (with an 11' sofit on top). I am not sure that's an idea setup and afraid the RC-R excellent sounds will be largely wasted by being that high. So I am thinking about smaller bookshelf's (like RC-MINI or C50, which I can aim down) or CR-10 (with its vertical dispersion design).

Bluray, Callas, BigAl, and BigDaddy, is this a valid concern or am I thinking too much?

Another option would be in ceiling's. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions? I cannot find RC in ceilings (RC 6C, 8C) offered with discounts. I did find a deal on Veritas V2.0CM (http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...-0cm-overview/). Not sure if it matches well with RC's, but for back surrounds I am hoping it could work. Veritas V2.0CM has 2 tweeters and can be switched between bi/dipole modes.

Any help will be appreciated.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by jjmbxkb

RC-R's will be good if I could mount them at the same level as the side surrounds, about 5.5' to 6'. If I get them for rears, they will have to be installed right up against the 8' ceiling, as the back side of the room is open (with an 11' sofit on top). I am not sure that's an idea setup and afraid the RC-R excellent sounds will be largely wasted by being that high. So I am thinking about smaller bookshelf's (like RC-MINI or C50, which I can aim down) or CR-10 (with its vertical dispersion design).

Bluray, Callas, BigAl, and BigDaddy, is this a valid concern or am I thinking too much?

Another option would be in ceiling's. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions? I cannot find RC in ceilings (RC 6C, 8C) offered with discounts. I did find a deal on Veritas V2.0CM (http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...-0cm-overview/). Not sure if it matches well with RC's, but for back surrounds I am hoping it could work. Veritas V2.0CM has 2 tweeters and can be switched between bi/dipole modes.

Any help will be appreciated.

The in-ceiling speakers might be a good option. I have seen the RC's show up on eBay from time to time.

Is there any way you can post a pic of the room where the rears will be mounted? Is there any way to drop them (RC-R's) down from the ceiling or set them on stands?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by Bluray_ne1

Mine is set to 80.

OK so really does that affect the performance of the rc-mini do they botom out, do you feel any distorsion of any sort at 80hz, this could still be an option for our fellow friend here.

I know they are excellent speakers and 80hz is at +/-3db so it can hit a bit lower than that.

This is why I was briging the point here.

[jjmbxkb]

Sure, here is the picture of the work in progress. https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&uploaded=true.

Sorry for the mess. They just finished sanding the drywall. This was taken from the front of the room, which is 20' by 15', with one 15' side open to the rest of the basement. The ceiling height is 8', and the dropped ceiling in the picture is about 11.5" high. The two dangling white wires are for rear speakers, either in ceilings or cabinets mounted on the side.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

OK so really does that affect the performance of the rc-mini do they botom out, do you feel any distorsion of any sort at 80hz, this could still be an option for our fellow friend here.

I know they are excellent speakers and 80hz is at +/-3db so it can hit a bit lower than that.

This is why I was briging the point here.

I haven't noticed any. I have a few 7.1 BD's (Hellboy II for example) and they sounded fine to me. I've never really isolated them & listened very closely to be honest. There may be something missing. If there is, I haven't been able to detect it.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by jjmbxkb

Sure, here is the picture of the work in progress. https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...&uploaded=true.

Sorry for the mess. They just finished sanding the drywall. This was taken from the front of the room, which is 20' by 15', with one 15' side open to the rest of the basement. The ceiling height is 8', and the dropped ceiling in the picture is about 11.5" high. The two dangling white wires are for rear speakers, either in ceilings or cabinets mounted on the side.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Man, that's gonna be awesome jj. What plans do you have for furniture and access to the room (sofa in the center of the opening, entering the room from the left or right side or both, etc)? That could help in determining the best setup.

[jjmbxkb]

Thanks.

Seats will be about 15' to 16' from the screen wall. With room being 20' long, entrance can be made on both sides. but there will be a little more space on the left side of the picture.

[Bluray_ne1]

I would say find some floor stands that will place them a foot or two above and just behind the listening area. Then place the side surrounds at about the same height on the walls. Either that or find some way to suspend them from the underside of the soffit and down a foot or two.