Energy Owners Thread - Page 1476

Originally Posted by erhurd 

Give me your exact coordinates, batt50, and exchange places with me. Maybe another Denon 4311 will fall onto my lap as well...

Originally Posted by batpig 

That is the perfect scenario -- a receiver like the 4311, with 9 channels (expandable to 11) and DSX processing means you could fully utilize even more RC-70's

Originally Posted by batpig 

You should get a 9ch receiver Then you can have two pairs of RC-70 up front as front main and front wide, RC-50 as side surround, and RC-30 as back surround

Originally Posted by midnitekiz 

I'd say go for it! I bought the whole setup when Vanns had them on special and still couldn't pass this deal up.

Originally Posted by SandyMan007 

Caved in to the temptation - another pair ordered

Originally Posted by batpig 

Short summary....

Energy used to part of the API group, a collection of Canadian speaker manufacturers (including Mirage and Athena) who based their speaker design on acoustic research conducted at Canada's National Research Council (NRC). Paul Barton (of PSB speakers), although not part of the API group, was also a participant in this research. Energy's longtime chief designer, John Tchilinguirian, was renowkned for his innovate designs and technology, including the original "dual hyperdome" tweeter that made Energy famous with the now classic Pro 22 series. Other innovations included the "Convergent Source Module" (combining the tweeter and midrange driver into a single, separate enclosure for better dispersion and soundstaging), and the ribbed-elliptical surround on the woofers that now grace nearly all Energy and Mirage products.

Here is an old interview with Tchilinguirian that you may find interesting: http://www.stereophile.com/interviews/552/index.html

Energy speakers have such a following because, due to their intensive research, they were able to compete with much more expensive speakers (e.g. Paradigm) at their price point. The original two generations of the Veritas speakers are legendary for their sound quality.

Anyway, bringing this all to the present, a few years ago Klipsch bought out the entire API group, killed the Athena brand entirely, and began scaling back Energy and Mirage. The RC line was the last of the "true" Energy speakers, and as such retain their popularity here. They were discontinued by Klipsch several years ago, but due to one-off special production deals with Vanns certain models still remained available for purchase. The same thing is true with Mirage and their awesome OMD line of speakers. Both companies have unfortunately been scaled back to focus on the (I assume more profitable) HTIB segment with the Energy "Take" and RC-Micro type speakers and the Mirage Nanosats.

Klipsch did produce one new lineup of speakers, the recent Veritas (which were Klipsch designed but heavily based on RC technology) and Connoisseur (CF/CB) lines. These are still by all accounts excellent speakers, but are voiced a little differently than Energy's traditional neutral, balanced sound, leaning more towards the Klipsch preferred treble-heavy presentation. And even their mid-level products (e-series in the early 90's, the first two Connoisseur series in the late 90's and early 2000's, and then the RC's in the mid 2000's) provided awesome value at the price point.

Then, a couple of years ago, Audiovox purchased the entire Klipsch group, and Energy and Mirage haven't put out anything of substance since. There is a lot of pessimism about the future of these brands, and thus the excitement when their last great product (RC) is available for sale at such a great discount.

Originally Posted by batt50 

I was more curious to see what audyssey xt-32 could do with the entire 11.2 system. Especially the subs. You know how everyone is raving about it.

Originally Posted by neutro 

I myself am pondering a receiver upgrade. If I had to upgrade right now, I'd wait for the next sale on the Onkyo 818, which is the cheapest receiver with XT32 ($850 on sale). But, the catch is, it doesn't have SubEQ HT, which is able to time-align two subs independantly. The cheapest receiver with SubEQ HT is probably the Onkyo 1010, which has further THX certification and an obscure feature here and there on top of those of the 818, and can be had around $1800 on sale. I don't think I'd pay $1000 more for SubEQ HT. Unless maybe this is absolutely a huge thing for dual subs... and somehow I could convince myself that the other features are actually useful.

Originally Posted by Saints 

I'm sure if you look around you may be able to find a 4311 somewhere for about $1000, I know they have a few for sale used here on AVS. Or you could get the Onkyo 3009, which has subeq ht for about the same price. I'm sure Bat pig may chime in, but you can get xt32 for way cheaper than $1800.

Originally Posted by neutro 

I myself am pondering a receiver upgrade. If I had to upgrade right now, I'd wait for the next sale on the Onkyo 818, which is the cheapest receiver with XT32 ($850 on sale). But, the catch is, it doesn't have SubEQ HT, which is able to time-align two subs independantly. The cheapest receiver with SubEQ HT is probably the Onkyo 1010, which has further THX certification and an obscure feature here and there on top of those of the 818, and can be had around $1800 on sale. I don't think I'd pay $1000 more for SubEQ HT. Unless maybe this is absolutely a huge thing for dual subs... and somehow I could convince myself that the other features are actually useful.

Originally Posted by afrogt 



Fry's opens in 15 minutes. Heading out the door in 10 minutes, its that close by.



amazingly they're available online too but I bet they wont be for long.
http://www.frys.com/product/7386304?site=sa:adpages page:P2_FRI date:021513

Originally Posted by enthusiast8 

WorldWideStereo currently has a sale on the Veritas Mini 5.0 package for $379.88 with Coupon code SDVERITAS. Free shipping too.

http://www.wwstereo.com/Energy/VMINI5.0R

Originally Posted by Joseph Clark 

Haven't been around here for a long time, guys, but I happened to wander in and saw the RC-70 sale at Fry's. A pair of 70s for less than $600 shipped? That's outrageous!!! I've had mine for several years and still love them. The last thing I need right now is another pair of speakers, but I found myself trying to justify it at that price. That's a ridiculously good deal!!!

Originally Posted by afrogt 

I actually saw the ad on Fry's website this morning. I check every Friday when I get up and use the computer. Didn't see the slickdeals post until after I got to work and had purchased the speakers.

Originally Posted by Joseph Clark 

I still have the two RC70s in my main home theater and 5 RC10s in a bedroom. I think the RC10s were $600/pair when the line was new. Actually, I added a new media streamer to that bedroom the other day and spent some time re-exploring how good the RC10s are in that space. The range of those little speakers is extremely impressive. Much of my time these days is spent shooting and editing 3D video. It's my new passion. But I still take the time to relax and enjoy my Energy's.

Originally Posted by Joseph Clark 

I still have the two RC70s in my main home theater and 5 RC10s in a bedroom. I think the RC10s were $600/pair when the line was new. Actually, I added a new media streamer to that bedroom the other day and spent some time re-exploring how good the RC10s are in that space. The range of those little speakers is extremely impressive. Much of my time these days is spent shooting and editing 3D video. It's my new passion. But I still take the time to relax and enjoy my Energy's.

Originally Posted by mphfrom77 

Congrats Afrogt! What's your plan to break them in?

You seem to have incredible patience to get the absolute best deals on Energy speakers. Glad you won the waiting game.

Look forward to your impressions after you take them to louder levels than you thought you would have.

Originally Posted by Saints 

Ahh sorry, yeah neutro i knew you were in Canada, but didn't know the availability or price for you guys up there. I know future shop had some really good deals for the rc-70s and thought maybe they had been blowing out the 4311s for a decent price somewhere. As batt50 said, I have heard nothing but good things about the anti mode so that is another option for your sub if you are happy with everything else your receiver does. I'll tell you what though, xt32 does amazing things for speakers as well as subs as I just had my old onkyo 609 that has the lowest form of Audyssey hooked up when I sent my 4311 off for repair. I just got the 4311 back and it really is night and day.

Originally Posted by batt50 

Would you believe that I actually purchased the denon 4311 for less than $850 twice before both transactions were cancelled?

That's what's bugging me. My next option around a similar price range is the anti mode dual core.