Energy Owners Thread - Page 155

it's almost certainly the tweeter, those dual hyperdome tweeters are notorious for going out after a while...

Energy used to have the "Connoisseur" series, first the even-numbered (C-2, C-4, etc.) and then replaced by the odd-numbered (C-1, C-3, C-5, etc.) around 2001, and these represented the middle-line product for Energy (below the Veritas). Most recently, the entry-level offering was the e:XL and then XL series.

A few years ago the "Reference Connoisseur" or RC-series replaced them as the middle-tier offering, with the C-series coming in as the entry-level offering. It's a little confusing because they kept the "C-XX" nomenclature, but now the C-series was the entry level.

Now, they are introducing a brand new line, and re-invoking the "Connoisseur" name, but these are actually replacements for the entry-level C-series speakers. So I guess the positioning will be "Connoisseur" for the entry level, and then you can step it up to the REFERENCE Connoisseur for the mid level.

No way I would pay that kind of money for surrounds though. See if wwstereo ships to Canada, they have great prices on the C-R100's.

alright got the c-100's during "woot off" think they are going to work great for bedroom. 2 questions for other owners....
1. Any thoughts on the c-c50 center to use with these (limited space by tv & have good subwoofer)?
2. How critical is the 100 hr. "minimum break-in" time?

Any thoughts are appreciated....

A pair of RC-30 for 480$ in Canada. Is it good price?

C-C50 will work great. The C-C100 is bigger and much harder to find for a decent price.

just play them, no need to do any break-in. If they need to be broken in it'll happen naturally when you're using them.

Hi I signed up today to reply to your post, I purchased RC-30 this past summer and remember seeing pink down the port hole. I remember the thought going through my head its just like pink insulation

I would say any are possible:

- insulation moved around.
- insulation is not really required.
- manufacturer not building to spec*

*I had to go through 3 returns with the vendor before finally being satisfied with the product.

Just came back from my local Circuit City which is closing pretty soon. They had Energy Take 5 Classic 5.1 systems new in box for $419. I bet you could get it for under $400 w/o much effort. CC is in bankruptcy and they keep marking down the prices of their remaining stock.

I think they're closing 155 stores so it shouldn't be too hard to fine one shutting down.

I'm currently able to pick up 2 C-300 towers for $300 and two C-100 for $80.
How would that system sound? I would buy another pair of C-100's and use one as a center

That would sound good. Do you have room for a vertical C-100 as a center? If not, just get the C-C50 for $79.

Yeah I have the room I was wondering what cheap sub i can pair with it... The BIC stuff seems good

The BIC H-100 is tried and true. Another possibility is the PA120. I'm testing it out right now. I'll let you know how I like it after trying it out for a bit.

I recently joined the Energy owner's club, getting this for my bedroom:
C-50's
C-C50
ESW-8
(all in cherry)

This setup is mostly for movies, although it will get some music use too.

I have been wondering if I should've gone with the C-100's matched to the C-C50 instead (needed to go with the small center for placement and cost reasons). Am I missing out on much by going with the C-50's? In other words, would the performance benefit of the slightly larger bookshelves warrant the extra cost ($69 vs $149)?

The bedroom is 11x16, and the majority of the movie viewing will be done at night (a factor since I live in a townhome connected to neighbors).

Bigger is usually better, I always say. If you can get the c-100s instead, I would go for it. If cost is a factor, you could also just get C-100s for the front, and use c-50s as surrounds. That would be a good compromise and still a big step up over 4 c50s because most of the sound goes to the front. It would be better for music, too.

Well I should specify that I'm only going 3.1, so no need for surrounds. I can still return the C-50 to get the C-100 instead, but I'm trying to decide if it's worth it - does what I would gain justify the cost and larger size.

Besides, wouldn't the C-50 be a more perfect match to the C-C50 (b/c identical driver size)?

I purchased 2 pair of the C-100's from the Woot Off last week and I was planning on this setup:

2 C-100 (left/right front)
2 C-100 (left/right rear)
1 200w+ Subwoofer (haven't purchased yet)
1 C-50 Center (haven't purchased yet)
Pioneer 1018 Receiver

How do you all think this will work out? I was thinking of adding two Energy C-xxx towers in the future and shifting the current front left/right speakers to create a 7.1 setup.

This will be for a 16x20 living room in a townhome.

Happy to report I am officially in the club now as well!

I've been listening to my new setup for a few days now on and off and am so much more impressed than I thought I would be every time I listen -- and I don't even the speakers broken in, nor final positioned, nor tuned yet!

4x Energy C-500
1x Energy C-C100

I'm looking for a sub now. Thoughts on Energy S12.3 vs Energy ESW-V10?

Adam

Any thoughts??
C-100 with C-C50 vs.
C-50 with C-C50

honestly, for a low volume bedroom setup the differences will be minor. as someone said, bigger is better if have the room and budget for it, but either one will be just fine. nobody can tell you how important those extra 30 bucks are to you, or how much value you place upon your wife not bitching to you about the giant speakers in the bedroom

here's how I would look at it -- if you ever plan to crank up some 2-channel music, go with the larger C-100's. if it will be almost entirely low volume TV/movie viewing, it probably won't matter so get the smaller speakers and keep it more low-profile.

they will both sound great, so just make a decision!

Thanks for the updates everyone, let's keep those reviews of all those new C-series systems coming!


both are great -- I think the common wisdom on that is the V10 will be superior with music, the 12.3 will have more slam/extension for movies. so just pick which one is more important to you, or for that price range consider a non-Energy sub as well....

Well, unfortunately it's a $80, since I can only find the cherry C-100 for $149, and I got the b-stock cherry C-50 for $69.

I will say that the C-50, C-C50 setup sounds good for movies - the dialog is nice and clear. One concern with moving up to the C-100 would be them overpoweing the C-C50 a bit. Obviously the other concern is cost...size really isn't an issue in this case since the difference isn't that great, and the stands will accomodate either.

so you already have them? ok, well then do you find that something is missing? if so, have you worked on optimizing the current setup, i.e. speaker placement, sub blending, etc?

again, nobody will be able to tell you "is it worth it to spend XXX more for YYY?" the upgrade itch is a serious disease if left to rage unchecked, and nobody knows how much that $80 really means to you. if money is really tight and you are happy with what you have, then just relax and enjoy. if you are going to obsess every time you watch a movie that you could have just a little bit more... you'll drive yourself nuts.

the thing to realize is, there will always be another deal out there. I would enjoy your current setup for a while, play with setup/balance/positioning/EQ etc. until you get everything just right, and then if, in a few months, you feel like something is missing, then look into an upgrade.

Yes I already have the 3.1 in my room. I am really happy with how it sounds for movies. For music, it doesn't blow me away, but it's certainly not inadequate - in reality though, I have another room right next to the bedroom with a 2.1 pc setup for music, so it really doesn't matter much.

I think, more than anything, it's just the curiosity that is getting to me...that, "hmm, this is nice, but I wonder if the other would be better" mentality that drives us all to keep buy new and better (ie more expensive alot of the time) gear.

Of course, there is always that thought...well what if I move to a place with a bigger room, or that doesn't have a neighor connected...then I might want the additional performance the C-100 could offer. Like I said, the size difference is moot, so it comes down to a cost/performance consideration. I got a great deal on the C-50 at $69...so it's tough for me to justify bumping up to $149 for the C-100 when there isn't anything explicity lacking from the current setup.

What do I gain with $80 more...slightly more performance and peace of mind for 5 years instead of 90 days (b-stock warranty).

And yes, the upgrade bug is enough to drive me crazy...

Thanks to everyone for their replies to my post. At least now I know I'm not the only one with this "problem".

Why did you have to return the speakers 3 times? Was it shipping damage or an actual defect with the product? If it was a defect, what specifically was wrong?

Reason #1:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/...58eb3558cf.jpg
(finish along the speaker was all jarred, not shown)

Reason #2:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/...59e7e39883.jpg
(see the knot in the weave?)

Reason #3:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/...fe56f977_o.jpg
(tweeter surround finish, cosmetic issue only visible at certain angles)

3 main reasons but I had more. These were from 2 different shipments. I ended up swapping out the tweeter myself in the last photo to avoid another return as the finish was great and I was satisfied. Also there was a QC control sticker which I did not see on the other previous shipments. The items were sold as new, the instructions and packaging arrived as new, I have kept these photos just to remind myself what made in china means (which is higher return rates, for those that are picky about finish like me). In case you are wondering, they do sound and look fabulous.

cool shot of one of my RC-10 at night next to my computer screen (hence the halo)

I picked up a pair of RC-Rs on the weekend and got them placed in my HT room, however I don't know anything about Bi-pole/Di-pole. Which is the preferred method? And whats with the volume knob thing on the side, is that speaker volume? I'll have pics to follow. My thoughts so far on RC-Rs are very good. I have to run audessy again because of different placement around the room but I left them as default setting out of the box (di-pole and min vol) and they sound wonderful, great dispersement, but I'd like to have them properly set for full enjoyment. Can anyone Help?

What's the room layout?
What are the measurments?
Are there any constraints?
You installed them on the wall or on some stands?

sexy, gives me a woody

Thank you, Mouettus.

The room is square, approx 24x18 but TV area is angled from the corner along the wall the door opens. The RCRs are 8ft away on both sides, one is on top of a bookshelf (left), the other is on a desk (right) stacked on the 2 RCR boxes for height in the side corner facing out. It has to be stacked on boxes because the only way to properly position the speakers to fill the room in 7.1 is to put it there, other furniture blocks me from having them on stands. The rear towers are spaced out in the back and the RC-Rs are used as sides.

I'm using RC-R's for rears they work very nice. I have mine set in "bi-pole" mode. Mid-range drivers are activated on sides to provide a more emersive and wide surround. I would play around with control knob to create mono-pole or bi-pole condition, see what sounds best for you.........Also read the Energy manual to understand operation of these speakers.

Dave