Energy Take 5.1 vs SVS SBS-02 5.0 & PB12-NSD

I have heard the Energy Take classic and I have not heard the SVS. However, I will guess that the SVS speakers will sound much better- 6 inch woofers versus 3 inch! The sub that you get with the Energy Takes is not a strong sub, but may be okay for smaller rooms. The SVS speakers are NOT very sensitive (82 db, pretty poor), so make sure your AVR has alittle power.

That's not even a fair fight. SVS all the way.

The only thing I'd worry about is the low 82db sensitivity of the SVS speakers. But as far as overall sound the SVS with a PB12 would blow the Energy Take Classics away .Of course a PB12 sub is almost $800 so you'd be comparing a $1200 setup vs a $400 setup. Is that really fair?

I would throw this EMP tek sale out there for your consideration. These will be closer to the SVS speaker performance than the Energy, which is to say they will sound much fuller than satellite speakers. If you want decent sound for $400, I would say just upgrade your front stage speakers- your front left, right, and center. If you live near a Fry's, go get some Infinity Primus P363 towers, that will blow away all of these choices and they are on sale now for $110 each until thursday. Add to that a Primus c351. That would be a far more preferable setup and is only slightly more expensive.

Well you don't have to buy SVS speakers just because you REALLY WANT that sub.

If you can have tower speakers then jump on these Polk Monitor 60's which are currently $99 each with promo code EMCJJJG66
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290206

Free shipping and no tax for NYC residents.

It would also be nice if you knew what Yamaha receiver you own.

HTD Level Two bookshelves and center is a nice option for good sound.
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers/Level-TWO-Center-Channel-Speaker

NXG Pro 4.1 speakers can work as surrounds for a tight budget
http://www.amazon.com/Nxg-Pro-4-1-Satellite-Speaker/dp/B0044UHVOK

You can also buy Emptek speakers without their sub.
Edited by zieglj01 - 11/13/12 at 8:50am

Not sure though, but I think there's gotta be a printing error regarding to the SVS's sensivity of 82dB.
My front array comprises 3 x SCS-01 ( first model ), which are 87dB rated though. Just in case, I would e-mail SVS to cross-check such info:)

I have seen at least 30 or 40 posts by unhappy owners of the Take Classic speakers.

The speakers are simply too small and the whole system is low-performance mickey-mouse stuff IMO.

I realize we are talking low price stuff here, but there is much better even for low prices.

The Martin-Logan MLT-2 is a good example; its drivers have twice the effective area and deliver much more sound, and the subwoofer is almost decent. The main speakers and center also have good sensitivity; 89 db/watt.

It is far better in every respect than any other system I have seen for its price. Amazon is currently selling it for under $300, which is $100 less than I have ever seen it for before; good price!

I don't see any system for under $500 that will deliver better overall sound.


Edited by commsysman - 11/13/12 at 10:31am

There are better subs out there than the PB12. Some third party measurements were just released for the Power Sound Audio XV15, it absolutely owns the PB12 NSD, and it only costs $30 more shipped.

If you want to see how these subs compare, here is the link. Scroll down to the table that says CEA2010 MAX CLEAN RMS SUBWOOFER OUTPUT, and compare the numbers between the PB12 and Powersound XV15. Keep in mind that +3 db is a doubling in intensity (you would need twice the energy to achieve this) and +6db is twice the sound pressure, which is basically what would happen if bought two subs instead of one and placed them next to each other thereby maximizing their output. Look at 50 hz where the Xv15 has 9 db advantage against the PB12, this is a very big difference in output. The PB12 does match it at 20 to 25 hz, but gets clobbered everywhere else. Another sub you might consider in that price range is the Hsu VTF3 mk4, which will measure roughly like the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX on that chart, but probably does a bit better. It won't match the XV15's 50 hz output, but is likely close everywhere else.

I own a set of SBS-02's that I was using as a HT / 2ch setup. They are not very revealing and would be better suited for HT than strictly music. They sound better during loud playback and excel in HT (coupled with a Klipsch sub). I was driving these with a 3312CI at near reference volumes (between -4db and 0db) and they rock the house, plain and simple. At these volumes, music is actually decent and you can listen to them for long sessions since they are not fatiguing at all. You need a sub, these speakers don't put out much less than around 100hz usable. They also need to be toed in almost directly at the listener, otherwise the vocals lose their focus and the subtle sounds become too muted. In all, they are OK music speakers and do much better for HT.

I got these mostly to satisfy my curiousity since they were on sale for $150 a pair (plus I wanted a cheap 5.1 for a second room). I also picked up the $100 SCS-02 to use as a center channel. Dialog from this speaker isn't very clear either but I'm comparing a Def-Tech Mythos Ten with it so it's hardly a fair comparison. However, I don't think you can do better than the SVS at $150 a pair. These are now in my computer room as I have a small TV and a simple 5.1 setup in there.

The PSA is a strong contender for sure, but it still looks to me like when the Outalaw EX1 is on sale it is one heck of a deal. Tough call between the PSA and Hsu VTF-3 MK4 with the variable tuning.

Some really good choices once you get to $800 shipped or so,

I think they will sound as good for music listening as anything you can get at a comparable price; not too bad at all.

I am using some much more expensive gear for my music system, so I am spoiled...lol.



????Would these Martin-Logan speakers sound good for music? These may be my new front runners now![/quote]????

This is roughly correct, ported subs will have stronger deep bass output. As for sealed sounding tighter, if everything else is equal, sealed subs out to sound a bit tighter, but that is rarely the case, so don't think that any of these ported subs we are discussing will sound bad or bloated or anything. I'm am sure they are more articulate than many sealed subs on the market.