I don't have any experience with these speaker sets, and I can't find a basis for comparison. If all of these cost the same amount, which one is the better speaker set, please (I'm asking on behalf of a friend)? These are all fairly inexpensive speaker sets.

- KEF KHT2005.2 5.1
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/kef-kht-2005-2/4505-7868_7-31232148.html?tag=api&subj=re

- Energy Take Classic 5.1
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/energy-take-classic-review

- Canton Movie 100-MX 5.1
can't seem to find a review


I know that speaker stuff is often subjective, but if someone would lend me their advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you

No one can tell you what is going to sound the best to YOU, in YOUR room, on YOUR gear. You need to audition for yourself. All of us hear things differently. What I may love may sound like dog doo to you OR your friend for that matter.

If for some reason you can't actually go out and audition, then I would suggest you continue to do some research, decide on a couple of brands that offer some type of return policy, order a pair of R/L mains and try them in your own home for a period of time. A/B them back and forth on all types of music/movies. Return the ones you don't care for as much and finish out your system with the ones you do.

Besides, you may find that neither of your choices really float your boat. Isn't it better to find out BEFORE taking the advice of some internet forum schmuck, buying a complete 5.1 rig of what he says is da bomb.... only to find out the speakers make your ears bleed on your gear in your room? You may spend a little money in return shipping or re-stock fees, but in my honest opinion, it's money well spent to get something you will be happy with for a long time.

Thank you for your reply. This speaker set isn't for me. And, I think that it's fairly reasonable to suggest that some speakers aren't as good as others. Clearly, a $20 speaker probably won't be as good as something costing $5000.
Some speakers may be notoriously at fault for some issue or defect than others.

So given that the price is the same on all of these sets, which set do you feel is better built and offers the fullest soundstage?

And, I think that it's fairly reasonable to suggest that some speakers aren't as good as others. Clearly, a $20 speaker probably won't be as good as something costing $5000.

But, you see.... that right there is the rub. Your "friend" may think the $20 speaker sounds exactly the same as the $5,000 speaker. Or, he may even like it better. Who am I to steer him either way? If he likes the $20 speaker as well or can't tell the difference.... then he should buy the $20 speaker. He needs to listen for himself and decide. Even if I think the $5000 speaker is better, it may not be to him.

So given that the price is the same on all of these sets, which set do you feel is better built and offers the fullest soundstage?

I wouldn't buy any of them personally. And about the only thing you're going to get is the person who bought the Kef's will say they are the "best" and those that bought the Energy's will claim them to be the best. In the end, you'll have nothing but personal opinion with no relevence what so ever as to what your "friend" may or may not like and what will sound good in his room on his gear.

Look at it and ask yourself this question.... suppose the majority of posters that DO offer up which THEY feel are the "best," tell you that the Energy's are the way to go. You tell your friend to buy the Energy's. He does, and he hooks them up and fires up LOTR.... and they sound like crapola. How are you going to feel?

What do YOU have? Does your friend like your rig? Are your rooms similar? Let him audition your gear and then go out and do some auditioning on his own.

Look at it and ask yourself this question.... suppose the majority of posters that DO offer up which THEY feel are the "best," tell you that the Energy's are the way to go. You tell your friend to buy the Energy's. He does, and he hooks them up and fires up LOTR.... and they sound like crapola. How are you going to feel?


She can certainly return them if she hates the speakers, but she would like some advice with respect to narrowing down her choices further. If it's generally accepted that the Kef set is a better quality product, for example, I believe that she would audition that first, and if she likes them, she'll keep them. She's not the type of person who wants to test stuff and return it, and for her auditioning speakers in stores is not something she's interested in. The speakers would probably be used in a 12 by 16 foot room (not that big).

I'm not really familiar with these introductory/modest 5.1 satellite sets, but I have heard people say good things about the Kefs.

What do YOU have?

I have equipment that's out of her price range.

She can certainly return them if she hates the speakers, but she would like some advice with respect to narrowing down her choices further.


I can certainly understand that. And, it's kind of cool that you want to help her. But, I still say, your best advise would be to have her audition. There is a ton of stuff out there in that price range. Buy her lunch and spend an afternoon with a couple of her favorite CD's and hit the BB's, Magnolia's, CC's, Fry's etc. That way you can experience first hand fit and finish of the product at the minimum.

Even if those type of stores don't have the best sound rooms, you can at least get some type of idea.

It would help if you told us what your friend's budget is, what she plans to use the speakers for (% movies, % music, what type of music, background music, to sit and just listen to it, etc.), if she is willing to start with 2.0 and build on later, if she wants instant 5.1, etc. You have not given us enough information.

It would help if you told us what your friend's budget is

Those three speaker sets I listed in my first post are pretty much what she has her eyes on.

what she plans to use the speakers for (% movies, % music, what type of music, background music, to sit and just listen to it, etc.)

50% movies, 50% music
She listens to rock (U2, Arcade Fire, etc) and classical sometimes.

I believe that she is buying an Onkyo SR-TX706 receiver.

if she is willing to start with 2.0 and build on later, if she wants instant 5.1, etc. You have not given us enough information.

She wants instant 5.1

Thank you for your time.

IBuy her lunch and spend an afternoon with a couple of her favorite CD's and hit the BB's, Magnolia's, CC's, Fry's etc. That way you can experience first hand fit and finish of the product at the minimum.


I'd like to, but my schedule is very busy at the moment. I'll try to if I have time. Thank you for your response.

She is also considering getting 3 pairs of Polk Rit4s and adding a sub later. I've got a feeling this would be the best way to go, but I'm not positive. http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1004polk/

I guess it sort of depends on how good the sub is that comes with the KEF KHT2005.2 5.1 in terms of comparison.

3 pair of Polk Rti4 and a sub will be better than any of the sub/sat systems you listed in your opening post.

Go with that for sure!

I've got the original Take 5 setup. it won't even be close. The Polk Rti4 will have a fuller sound and more frequency range than KEF, Energy or Canton satellites.

3 pair of Polk Rti4 and a sub will be better than any of the sub/sat systems you listed in your opening post.

Go with that for sure!


Even better than the KEF KHT2005.2 5.1 ?

I know sometimes that advertised specs are sometimes exaggerated.

Thanks for your advice!

Even better than the KEF KHT2005.2 5.1 ?


In my opinion yes!

The 2005.2 satellites aren't as good as the KEF iQ1 bookshelf and I'd take the the Polk Rti4 over the iQ1. KEF's really emphasize mids and highs which doesn't appeal to everyone. You should really take a listen if you can.

In my opinion yes!

The 2005.2 satellites aren't as good as the KEF iQ1 bookshelf and I'd take the the Polk Rti4 over the iQ1.

Thank you! I will tell her to audition the Rti4s first. If she likes them, I'm sure that she will keep them.

Def Tech Mythos Gem XL x4

Def Tech Mythos Seven Center

Def Tech Supercube II Sub

I'm in love with this setup for some reason.

I don't have any experience with these speaker sets, and I can't find a basis for comparison. If all of these cost the same amount, which one is the better speaker set, please (I'm asking on behalf of a friend)? These are all fairly inexpensive speaker sets.

- KEF KHT2005.2 5.1
http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/kef-kht-2005-2/4505-7868_7-31232148.html?tag=api&subj=re

- Energy Take Classic 5.1
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/energy-take-classic-review

- Canton Movie 100-MX 5.1
can't seem to find a review


I know that speaker stuff is often subjective, but if someone would lend me their advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you

What kind of music do you often listen at?
Are you going to see movies or is it live music?
Are you going to listen at multi channel SACD and DTS CD's?
What amplifier, CD-player etc. are you going to use.

These questions can help you out hand here when listening to each of these systems. An adwise: Be ware of the "wow-effect" that makes you "I'm in love - must have!!". Try to think wich of them sounds more natural.

Not sure about your pricerange, but the Kef 5002.5 system is quite impressive for the size, imo.