The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by slimmer

I would consider the CB-10, but they're not much smaller than the CB-20 (size is still an issue), Vanns doesn't ship to Canada (at least I couldn't on their site) and World Wide Stereo is $50 to ship + duty.

The search continues...

ebay maybe

I know a place in Montreal where they have the CB-5 but not online.

[audio4gary]

I currently own the Yamaha NS-SP1800BL speakers. They have the best reviews under $200.

I am using Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver.

I am thinking of buying the Energy 5.1 Take Classic as an upgrade which has the best reviews under $400. Is it really an upgrade worth $400 from the Yamaha NS-SP1800BL to Energy 5.1 Take Classic? The Yamaha sound decent but not really mind blowing. Is the Energy 5.1 Take Classic really that much better?

Should I also upgrade my receiver or it wouldn't make a difference? I would hate to buy better speakers but not having better sound because of my receiver.

Also, do I really need 14 gauge speaker wires for speakers to sound good? They are only about 10 feet away from my receiver. I am using 18 gauge now and no distortion. Will using 14 gauge improve sound quality at all?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by audio4gary

I currently own the Yamaha NS-SP1800BL speakers. They have the best reviews under $200.

I am using Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver.

I am thinking of buying the Energy 5.1 Take Classic as an upgrade which has the best reviews under $400. Is it really an upgrade worth $400 from the Yamaha NS-SP1800BL to Energy 5.1 Take Classic? The Yamaha sound decent but not really mind blowing. Is the Energy 5.1 Take Classic really that much better?

Should I also upgrade my receiver or it wouldn't make a difference? I would hate to buy better speakers but not having better sound because of my receiver.

Also, do I really need 14 gauge speaker wires for speakers to sound good? They are only about 10 feet away from my receiver. I am using 18 gauge now and no distortion. Will using 14 gauge improve sound quality at all?

I have heard Yamaha setups that are small like that, and never liked them. Id suggest that you get the Energy CB-5 and CC-5 speakers, theyll be a little over what you were looking to spend, but theyll still be small, they have larger woofers to move more air. The only draw back is that you'll need to still buy a sub. A thicker wire will help to transfer the signal beter

[lewi1913]

I got my Energy Classic 5.1 set from Amz for $380

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by lewi1913

I got my Energy Classic 5.1 set from Amz for $380

Congrats on tha purchase

[lewi1913]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Congrats on tha purchase

Thanks, its my first venture away from my Phillips HTIB LOL, sounded terrible!

I am pairing the Energy speakers with the Pioneer VTX-1021-K, hope it sounds good!

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by lewi1913

Thanks, its my first venture away from my Phillips HTIB LOL, sounded terrible!

I am pairing the Energy speakers with the Pioneer VTX-1021-K, hope it sounds good!

even if my preference is not towards Pioneer, the 1021 as actually pretty goodll and should pair pretty good with the Take Classic and the 1021 can also take upgraded speakers so I think you are good for a while.

[lewi1913]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

even if my preference is not towards Pioneer, the 1021 as actually pretty goodll and should pair pretty good with the Take Classic and the 1021 can also take upgraded speakers so I think you are good for a while.

Which receiver do you prefer?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by lewi1913

Which receiver do you prefer?

Well in that price range?

I like the Onkyo 609, I prefer it's sound properties maybe a little warmer sounding, does it make it a better receiver? Maybe not, It's just my preference as I love music and I think the Onkyo is more musical for me. You may like the Pioneer sound better.


One thing that we like to do here is to tell people to audition as much as they can to find the right gear for them.

The 1021 has gotten great reviews and good overall performance for it's price point. I just don't want you to take this the wrong way, it's just a personal choice.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by lewi1913

Thanks, its my first venture away from my Phillips HTIB LOL, sounded terrible!

I am pairing the Energy speakers with the Pioneer VTX-1021-K, hope it sounds good!

Congrats, Im sure you'll love the setup over the HTiB you had before.

[adept777]

Guys,
I wanted share my recent updates:

I have update my gallery with a few new pictures to show my Energy CR-10 and Energy CB-20 used as SBLR and SLR respectively. And I have also bought my first Outlaw Audio Model 2200 (new) thru a friend for $235!!!!! shipped. I will be getting it on Monday... can't wait I will update with my experience and pictures.. thanks!!

Since I was able to get only one of the Model 2200 at that price. I am still saving to get two more.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by adept777

Guys,
I wanted share my recent updates:

I have update my gallery with a few new pictures to show my Energy CR-10 and Energy CB-20 used as SBLR and SLR respectively. And I have also bought my first Outlaw Audio Model 2200 (new) thru a friend for $235!!!!! shipped. I will be getting it on Monday... can't wait I will update with my experience and pictures.. thanks!!

Since I was able to get only one of the Model 2200 at that price. I am still saving to get two more.

Congrats on those purchases, have you been able to get a good price on them as the Canadian prices suggested that they were making a good markup on them?

[adept777]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Congrats on those purchases, have you been able to get a good price on them as the Canadian prices suggested that they were making a good markup on them?

Yes indeed. I got the CR 10 for $279 shipped and the CB 20 for $249 shipped!!! I can't be any happier

[adept777]

Originally Posted by callas01

Outlaw 7125
Outlaw 2200
Emotiva UPA-2
Emotiva XPA-3
Marantz MM7025

you can look all of these. Personally, Id go for either the emo xpa-3 or the outlaw monos. I do like monos more then multi-ch amps. So if you have the choice, go with the monos.

Hey callas01, any specific reasons why you recommend monos over multi? Thanks!

btw, i got myself one model 2200 for $235 shipped!!!! too bad they guy only had one to sell :/

[adept777]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Congrats on those purchases, have you been able to get a good price on them as the Canadian prices suggested that they were making a good markup on them?

Oh and thank you for the congratulations

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by adept777

Hey callas01, any specific reasons why you recommend monos over multi? Thanks!

btw, i got myself one model 2200 for $235 shipped!!!! too bad they guy only had one to sell :/

Most monoblock will give you more power per channel, those CF-70 can take serious power, I would get 2 Outlaw monoblocks and you would be set and let the receiver hadle the rest.

[adept777]

Sorry about the multiple posts with many many questions:

How should I connect the Outlaw Audio Model 2200? I know the speakers would be connected directly to the OAM2200 which should go to the pre-outs on my Onkyo HT RC270. But my confusion is which output to use the balanced or the unbalanced? And then there is also the 12v trigger in and out? I know I can probably get all these answered once I get my unit on Monday or hopefully Friday ( if lucky) by going thru the manual, but I figured I will ask here anyways.. so please excuse me.

And lastly what kind of wires do I need? Any recommendations? Should I also change my 16 gauge speaker wires to the DIY 12 gauge speaker wires?? Does it make a significant difference??? Thank you!!

[adept777]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Most monoblock will give you more power per channel, those CF-70 can take serious power, I would get 2 Outlaw monoblocks and you would be set and let the receiver hadle the rest.

Oh okay.. cool!! What about the CC-10? Maybe one for that or not really needed?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by adept777

Sorry about the multiple posts with many many questions:

How should I connect the Outlaw Audio Model 2200? I know the speakers would be connected directly to the OAM2200 which should go to the pre-outs on my Onkyo HT RC270. But my confusion is which output to use the balanced or the unbalanced? And then there is also the 12v trigger in and out? I know I can probably get all these answered once I get my unit on Monday or hopefully Friday ( if lucky) by going thru the manual, but I figured I will ask here anyways.. so please excuse me.

And lastly what kind of wires do I need? Any recommendations? Should I also change my 16 gauge speaker wires to the DIY 12 gauge speaker wires?? Does it make a significant difference??? Thank you!!

Balanced with XLR connectors is usually the best option, now you are running this thing with some energy speakers which are not the most resolving speakers if the regular RCA single ended output voltage matches the rca inputs of the outlaw then it should still sound amazing if you use decent quality cables. XLR are often used if you need to run long cables it becomes a lot more important to reduce interference.

Those offer a great value:

http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-G-S.../dp/B0006DPQ1O


The 12 gage speaker cables that Big Daddy posted seems to be very well designed it has a twisted design reducig inductance and capaciatance so it's a good buy for the price point.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDe...prodID=KAR12SS

I use 14 gage Totem tress Silvered oxigen free Copper twisted, Great cables.

[adept777]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Balanced with XLR connectors is usually the best option, now you are running this thing with some energy speakers which are not the most resolving speakers if the regular RCA single ended output voltage matches the rca inputs of the outlaw then it should still sound amazing if you use decent quality cables. XLR are often used if you need to run long cables it becomes a lot more important to reduce interference.

Those offer a great value:

http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-G-S.../dp/B0006DPQ1O


The 12 gage speaker cables that Big Daddy posted seems to be very well designed it has a twisted design reducig inductance and capaciatance so it's a good buy for the price point.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDe...prodID=KAR12SS

I use 14 gage Totem tress Silvered oxigen free Copper twisted, Great cables.

Can you please elaborate? How do I find out if the voltage from the outlaw matches?
And should I get the XLR to rca for best results?