Energy Owners Thread - Page 1385

The finish is called DURATEX. Google it. Very easy to apply and acceptable to the eyes. And that sub is only 12". I was hoping the SDX15 MkII would be released by now.

... And steering back on the topic of Energy speakers, I'm about to order some in-ceiling RCs. I'm hesitating between a few options here as new data comes in

The idea for in-ceiling speakers is to get a second zone in my dining / kitchen area. I was unsure of which in-ceiling speakers to get, considering what was available in Canada. Now the facts just changed for me:

1. I'll have a few-days trip just minutes from the nearest Kinek point in November, so that ordering from Crutchfield's suddenly makes sense
2. Crutchfield's now have RC-6Cst as well as RC-6C in stock! (The first for $120 and the second for $80 each).
3. I was alerted that FutureShop still have clearance stock of the impressive RC-8Cs at some places, for $200 each
4. Now my GF wants to re-arrange the living room furniture in way which will prevent me from using traditional speakers for surround backs

At first I was telling myself that the RC-6Cst would be ideal for kitchen area duty since they can accept two channels and play them both thanks to the dual tweeters. In effect with a pair of these, I could have two mono sources in the area. But having one right channel at one location and one left channel at the other is not the end of the world either: it's basically as if there was a stereo system in the room, just maybe awkwardly located somewhere on the ceiling. On top of it, using a pair of these in this mode would mean I'd need an impedance-matching volume control I guess ($50-$100, and the trouble of installing it in-wall), because it's as if you're trying to connect two pairs of speakers on a pair of terminals on your receiver. So I'm not so sure about the RC-6Cst after all.

If the RC-8Cs would have been at the same price and easily available I'd jump on them, but they're still much more expensive and I'm not sure I really need 3-way speakers in my kitchen. And if I want some, it seems that I'll have to hunt them down one by one across a 300 km territory. Not so keen on that either. Just ordering what I want online seems much easier.

Then the last point above hit me. Right now I have a less-than-ideal 7.1 configuration with my surround backs being large bookshelves dropped behind my couch, firing up. With the new living room arrangement, the back of the listening position will be a wall with our main door, a closet, a large mirror, lighting -- no way to install speakers there. I was prepared to give up on my surround backs but I realized that if I go south of the border to fetch a pair of in-ceiling speakers, I could as well order two pairs and use one as in-ceiling surround backs... Now if I do that, should I use the RC-6C (with aimable tweeters) or the RC-6Cst, which, with their dual tweeters, can act as bipole/dipole single-channel speakers? If I remember correctly, dipole speakers are recommended for surrounds but not necessarily surround backs... Are RC-6Cst overkill for surround backs if I can get RC-6Cs for $40 less each?

Thanks for any hint in that regard... I really don't know which to choose. The budget is not really tight but I'm not in the mood to overpay for surround backs or ambient music listening.

So, if I got 3 lcr's, would you place the rc-10's in the rear directly behind the listener to complete the 5.1?

Would welcome any other suggestions to my post. I've had two suggest 3 lcr's upfront, or stick with the rc-10's upfront and go with VS surrounds in back. Are there other surrounds that decently match my setup for less $'s than the VS's? What about another pair of rc-10's in the rear?

I recently picked up a projector and now the seperation between L and R is a little over 10 ft with the LCR in the middle. I'm wondering what the argument against two LCR's is and if the soundstage would tighten up with two of them. I in no way WANT to spend more money on speakers but I was just thinking about the possible negative repercussions of having the fronts so far apart and whether widening the center would compensate for that. At $200 for the LCR I would consider it.

On another note I have rc-r's for surrounds which I allowed Audyssey to calibrate but it always seems to me that the left side is louder than the right. Is this possible? They are both turned all the way up and set on dipole and Audyssey handled the rest but I'm not sure if I'm way more deaf in my right ear or if it could be some other issue.

These two posts over at blu-ray forum are focused on the differences between bipole, dipole, and direct radiating (monopole--same as Energy RC-10). You can skim through the technical stuff at the beginning of each, and eventually they get into explaining placement options for all three with diagrams:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=170720
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=66471

With my setup above would you consider the CR-10's for rear speakers (with RC-lcr, 2xRC-10's), and esw-v10 sub? Needing cheaper, smaller rear speakers for 5.1 setup that match my current speakers.

Sure. You could use the CR-10s for rear speakers. You don't have to have an exact timbre match for the rears.

As for the ESW-V10, if you don't have it already, I'd look at other subs. Good choice for music, but not so much for HT usage. There are better choices for the money, and you can use any sub brand (no need to buy Energy).

So for speaker stands, what do you recommend for the RCLCR's for Left, Right and Center. Do they have screw holes to bolt to stand?

I have seen 24' and 30" stands for Left and Right. Thoughts on this for $35 shipped?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-of-Sanus-NF30b-30-Black-Speaker-Stands-NEW-DAMAGED-BOX-OPEN-BOX-/300788095199?pt=US_Speaker_Mounts_Stands&hash=item46085e18df

How about for the Center Channel? I didnt realize these were that heavy. I currently have one of these over my DLP

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Omnimount-CCH1P-DLP-CRT-Television-Top-Shelf-Mount-Speaker-PS3-DVD-Bluray-/261091682068?pt=US_Speaker_Mounts_Stands&hash=item3cca46e714

Can be seen here.

If you have a DLP then that Omnimount center stand is perfect. I used to use one on a Sony SXRD and it held the center speaker well.

Those Sanus stands are a great deal, especially with free shipping.

I anchored the feet down on the back of the dlp with heavy duty Velcro so it dint slip. I the propped an old dvd case on the back so it tilts forward a bit.

My only concern is the LCR is Heavy.

The S-Center is only 15 lbs. The LCR is 24.2lbs

I used the dual heavy duty velcro trick too. I actually had two center speakers staceked on top of each other for a while. that was over 30 lbs, not a problem with that stand.

In fact the info on Amazon says it holds over 30 lbs.


The low profile shelf provides a simple solution to finding a spot for your center-channel speaker. The adjustable mounting legs adapt to most TVs, and the built-in perforations allow for adequate ventilation. It's also perfect for holding your DVD player, satellite receiver, cable box, A/V receiver, video game console, VCR/DVR, or HDTV receiver with its sturdy design that can hold up to 30 lbs. Fits on top of video displays Will fit CRT, LCD & DLP large screen TV's Ideal for center channel speaker or A/V Components All Steel Construction Durable Powder coat finish Available in Black (CCH1B) or Platinum (CCH1P) Adjustable feet Venting allows for component cooling

Nice thanks. Was looking at center channel stands and they are ridiculously priced. The one that goes with the sanus stands was like 70-80$

So what hight do you think for the lcr's? 24" or the 30s

top plate is about 7.5" on the 24" stands and 6" on the 30" stands.

If you're placing the LCR vertically the tweeter will be about 34" high on the 24" stand and 40" high on the 30" stand. I dunno what ear level is for you when you watch TV. You'll have to make that call.

I know its only a few inch's but should the tweeter or woofer be ear level?

tweeter should be at ear level

the LCR has dual woofers so most likely one will be above and one below ear level.

Careful with using the omnimount center speaker stand and a heavy center channel. It will mess up the picture as it will bend the frame of the tv. You can clearly see it when there is text displayed. I experienced it with my TV. Anything more then like 10 - 15 pounds and you will see the picture starting to get distorted as the frame bends.

What kind of TV did you have? I could possibly see that on a slim flat panel but not on a rear projection set that has a lot more bulk to it.

Never saw that problem on the Sony SXRD TV. In fact my buddy still has his TV as his main set.

I think the guy above has a DLP which shouldn't be a problem either.

Hello! I was wondering if it would be any sort of upgrade of swapping out my center channel CC-10 for an RC-LCR? I also have 2x CF50s for LR and 2x CB-10s for surrounds.

Amazon has it for around $350 and I remember wanting it when I looking to purchase the speakers I have, but it was at around $500 at that time and so I had to settle for the CC-10.

My main usages are for video games/movies 75%, music 20%, and CableTV 5%.

Your CC10 is timbre-matched to your CF50s and your CB10s.

As previously said, the CR-10's would work well, but they are difficult to find for a reasonable price. I use RC-10's as my surrounds, and they work well, but I have never heard RC-R's or VS surrounds so I can not comment on the difference between the bipole and dipole surrounds. I thought you said you didnt want to use RC-10's because they would stick out from the wall too much?

If you are looking for smaller, less expensive speakers, you could use rc-mini's, v-mini's, CB-5's, a pair of take classic speakers, take LCR or SAT speakers. There are alot of options you can use.

This basically comes down to what you can find, and how much it will cost vs. how much you are willing to spend and your space requirements. The best option would be 3 rc-lcrs across the front and VS surrounds. The next would be either 3 LCR's and RC-10 surrounds or LCR/RC-10's across front with VS surrounds (i cant really comment because I've never heard the VS surrounds).

The best budget option would be to keep LCR/RC-10's front, and find a cheap pair of Take's, CB-5's, or mini's for your surrounds.

I have a Mitsu 65" DLP
Edited by ffactoryxx - 10/9/12 at 9:39am

What are good in wall speakers for surrounds and rears? Are there any deals on in walls happening? I have rc-r's for surrounds and I have som RC-10's as well but I'm planning to wire the room and in walls of comparable quality would definitely clean up the look a bit.

Is anyone aware of an acoustically transparent fabric that would make a nice looking fake wall to put speakers behind? That is not ridiculously expensive?

This goes along what we've all been seeing, lately. RC-70's have just about dried up. RC-LCR's seem to be going the same route. Perhaps a new line-up is coming to displace them or... we'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for the post.
Edited by petaylor - 10/9/12 at 10:55am

Something might displace them but not at the insanely low price's

I am still wondering as I stare at my 3 Boxed LCR's at $200/ea if I should have but the bullet and got the dented RC70's at like $300

The new lines will probably be more soundbars, little computer speakers, rebranded entry-level Jamo speakers, and "power" subs that are junk. Its really disappointing to see whats becoming of the energy name.

Set them up and give them a listen and keep the boxes. Let them break in properly. If you still find yourself looking for more fullness in the front or a better transition between the mains and the sub, then get some RC-70's. You shouldnt have any trouble selling the LCR's for $200 each. I'd buy 2 of them if you came down a bit from that price.
Edited by kgallerie - 10/9/12 at 10:42am

Can't go wrong by picking the RC-70's, but if I remember right, your needs were movies and gaming; I've heard the RC-70 really separates itself with music, with movies it is less of a difference. A good sub plus the RC-LCR's is probably the right call.

Well you can always adjust the trim levels to your taste. But I had the same impression -- one channel begin a tad louder than the other. But this summer during a camping trip I had the answer. I was laying on my left side, getting all sleepy listening to the crickets. Then I change sides, laying on my right, and suddenly all crickets stop. I was like, wtf? Back on my left side, crickets. On the right, no crickets. I do test, ruffling my sleeping bag -- I heart that ok with both ears. Turns out my left ear's frequency response is quite limited compared to my right and this impacts the perceived volume. I'm not saying your ears have something wrong, just that it is indeed a possibility.

If you have RC speakers, you should use RC in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Right now it seems that they're Crutchfield.com exclusives (not sure about that though). Theses speakers have an excellent reputation but they're becoming rarer and rarer. They've been sold cheaper in the past but considering their quality, Crutchfield's prices are still quite interesting.

For example, they got the 3-way RC-6W in-wall speaker for $100 each, which has the same tweeter, mid and woofer as the LCR. Crutchfield also have the in-ceiling RC-6C which is a circular two-way speaker with aimable tweeter for $80 and the RC-6Cst for $120, which is similar but with dual tweeters, meaning that it can either take in two channels and play them simultaneously (i.e. act as a "stereo" speaker, hence the "st" in the name), or play one channel in either bipole or dipole mode.

I'm pretty curious about those and if anybody in this thread ever used the 6Cst, or even better, compared the 6C vs the 6Cst, I'd love to read comments about that.

There's also an 8" in-ceiling speaker (the RC-8C), which is 3-way with aimable mid and tweeter, but I'm not sure where to find it at this moment.

I agree. But, we'll just have to see what they've got up their sleeve. Perhaps we'll see deals on the Veritas line, as we've seen at times. I just hope that something worthy fills that price point.