Energy RC-10 5.1 system - center and sub?

Since RC-LCR's are no longer on sale, you can get another RC-10 as your center. Nothing sounds better for HT than having fully matching fronts.

As for the sub, I'd go with the VTF 2.3 for your room size. It'll definitely be enough. Also consider the SVS PB12-NSD

I bought the RC Mini CC based upon expert opinion on the Energy thread. It is said to match very well with the RC 10's. A third RC 10 would, of course, be better if you have the room and can split a pair. Color could be a problem. If nothing at Vann's to match check out Ebay. Colors and prices vary but usually a little over $200.

In having an e-mail conversation with HSU, the VFT-2 should be plenty. Good luck!

I sent you a PM.


BTW, you didn't mention what you're doing for your surrounds. My thought is, just buy another pair of the RC-10s and you're golden. Anyways, check my PM.

Thanks.

Are you aware of any DISadvantage of using a "regular" speaker for a center channel? I seem to find mostly woofer-tweeter-woofer arrangements for centers, all sitting horizontally. Not sure I've ever seen a "bookshelf" center channel.

I agree that the RC-LCR is a bit steep at $650. Not to say it's overpriced, but just too much for my budget for a center channel right now.

If you can fit a matching bookshelf in the center position, it's always better than the dedicated MTM center channel speakers. The horizontal MTM center was created and popularized due to the fact that most people can't fit a full-sized, horizontal bookshelf above/below their viewing screen (TV).

Short version: there is no disadvantage, and there are distinct advantages, as long as you can fit the matching bookshelf in the center.
An RC-mini CC should work just fine and is much cheaper, if you can't fit the third RC-10 (or find one by itself).

As for the sub, VTF3 is certainly worth the price difference. Always get as much as you can afford. However, the VTF2 won't disappoint either if you need to save the cash.

What are you going to use as the surrounds? You could get another pair of RC-10s, of course, but if you need something smaller/cheaper the RC-mini bookshelves are a great option. Well, they're cheaper long as you aren't looking at the gloss black finish anyway.

Any particular reason not to lay the center "bookshelf" speaker on its side? I realize it's optimal to keep it aligned with the fronts, but for the sake of easier positioning, wouldn't the tradeoff be worth the slight misalignment? Aesthetics aside, of course.

I'm not sure, but I believe the tweeters on most bookshelves have "wave guides" (if I'm getting my terminology right) that are designed to disperse the sound from the tweeter with the speaker in the vertical position. Don't quote me -- hopefully someone more knowledgeable can confirm/rebut me on this.

Ok, so I couldn't resist. I picked up two sets of RC-10s today from Vann's for my 5.1 setup. One pair up front and one pair for surrounds. I'm looking to get ANOTHER RC-10 for the center, but I'll have to split it with someone.

For a sub, I'm looking at the ED A2-300. I think it'll be a good match.

All in all, I figure it'll sound "halfway decent" in a room of 18x13x7

That speaker system should sound much more than halfway-decent.

drew, sent you a pm regarding rc10s.

Maybe I missed something, but are they discontinuing the cherry color? Was thinking of getting 2 RC10 for the fronts, and a RC mini for the center. Another RC10 would be too tall. I'm using the stand that came with my TV, so I'm limited to a max height of 5". When/if they have the RC Mini center on sale, I'd get one and another speaker to finish the set.

The RC minis are $100 for cherry, $128 for rosenut, but $225 for black at Vann's. Makes no sense to me.

Hm, do you value your dialogue a lot? I would not recommend going with a smaller speaker for your center compared to your other channels. The most sound comes out of your center channel and it should be a powerful speaker. Maybe try to track down a used RC-LCR?

My problem is I'm using the integrated stand that came with my TV (Samsung LN40A650). It's only 5.5" to the bottom of the screen. The TV stand I got from my in-laws as a b-day present a couple years ago (way before I got my HDTV) is flat. There's no stand to attach the TV to. I'm assuming it's a bad idea to have the TV sit on the center speaker. So unless I can find a cheap stand the raises my TV 3-4", I'm really limited in the size of center channel I can buy.

Can you post a pic of that stand? might be able to give some ideas. And last resort, u can always go with the RC-mini as the center

My current setup:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1212095

It's the "integrated" stand that most LCD TVs come with. Of course it's removable if you want to wall mount your TV (which I'm not).

I think I need something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Mounts.../ref=de_a_smtd

Hm yeah, your best bet may be an RC-mini due to space issues. If the RC-LCR's were still on sale, I'd say try to move your xbox and comcast box to another shelf, move your denon to the bottom and use the top shelf in the center of the shelf to put your center channel, tilted up.

The tabletop mount works, but it's so expensive that I wouldn't recommend it. I would just get another TV stand altogether...

Wouldn't Audessy boost the volume of the center channel for you?

The middle row of shelves is only 18 1/4" wide, so an RC-LCR won't fit down there. If stay with Energy for a center speaker, I'm limited to the CC-5, C-C50 and RC-mini. Their site doesn't mention if the centers are tone matched to a specific speaker.