Energy Owners Thread - Page 305

Warning this is an Energy thread

Sorry I followed that darn rabbit trail again

I'm just going to jump in here to say the PS3 is a darn good bluray player, with ultra fast load time (I hate how long stand alone players take), constant firmware updates, and the menu's are easy to use with the controller. Also the upscaling is probably one of the best on the market I don't see what problems you guys had with it. I play games however so thats just me.

Now that being said I don't want to start an arguing war, but personal preference is all you can go by. If you prefer stand alone players, to each his own. But I also hate the PS3 fan it is very noisy when it heats up (usually about 2-3hrs of being on) and the fact that is doesn't work with my harmony remote is annoying. The point of having a remote like that is to get rid of clutter and make easy to power on devices. This is why I bought a stand alone player for summertime when the PS3 fan goes crazy.

I own both, I use both, each have pros/cons...end of topic BACK TO ENERGY.

I think tomorrow I'll be able to post some pics of my Veritas. I am loving that sweet sound, still in the break in process but they sound amazing!

OK, since some guys hijacked this thread to talk about PS3(), thought I'd join in the fun for just a minute. If you are a gamer junky, or like fast loading Blu-ray's, or LPCM sound, the PS3 is a good choice. This guy makes a Bluetooth to infrared adapter (and a less expensive USB one that won't do remote on/off) that works with my Harmony. Another alternative to the regular Blu-ray player is a PC with a Blu-ray drive. I have both and love them.

Thought I'd tell everyone what I have so far for my new system for the second house. Nice part of having a second place is no WAF factor . So any way, this odyssey all began with the Woot deal on the C-100's. I got 4 of those on that deal. I ended up with the buy.com C-C100 deal. I picked up a HK AVR247 and the Acoustic Audio HD-Sub12. The C-100's may be too big for the space I have for the rears. So for the surrounds I may use an old pair of Radio Shack Minimus 7's I have sitting around. Here is a link:
http://www.angelfire.com/vt/audio/minimus.html
Just got another Oppo DV970 DVD player. I've had one of these for several years and it really will play anything you throw at it. They do a great job of up converting. I have a huge collection of DVD's My LCD is only 720P so Blue ray isn't an option for the immediate future. Really looking forward to listening the Sacd's on this new setup. I'm still trying to figure out what stand I'm going to use. I found a nice one here:
http://www.standsandmounts.com/index...OD&ProdID=1136
and the expansion shelf for it:
http://www.standsandmounts.com/index...OD&ProdID=1167
My plan is to remove the middle leg just below the top shelf and lay the C-C100 on that shelf. I should be fine for now my 32" LCD is pretty light. If anyone has a better suggestion though I'm open to it. I have to decide soon though since everything will be here next week. It's gonna suck if I have all the pieces and I can't put it together cause I have no stand . I'm going to take a set of the Sansui's down to the other house too. If nothing else I will want these for the 2 channel stuff. I'm sure the Energy's a great speakers but it's hard for book shelves to compete with true full range speakers. I was thinking of placing the C-100's for the front sound stage on top of the Sansui's. Anyone see a problem with this arrangement?
I decided to skip the banana plugs and opt for alligator clips. I can then easily switch the fronts from the C-100's to the Sansui's whenever I want. With the receiver off of course. I may even play around with the extra two channels and see if I can integrate the Sansui's for movies. Anyone have any ideas how this can work? Just to be clear I am doing 5.1 and the receiver is a 7.1 so I will have two channels to play with. If it doesn't work it's NP but it would be neat if I could get these into the mix. Either way I'll still want them for my two channel stuff.

Please feel free to comment on my setup. I'm really looking forward to enjoying my new toys

Bill

American Electronics is having a "half-off-regular-markup" sale next week. I listened to the RC-10s (again) today and was really impressed (again). If I can get a good enough deal, I'm thinking about snagging a pair. I'd forgotten just how big these little speakers can sound, even in the large American speaker room. The RC-10 and the C-100 are kissing cousins when it comes to looks, but the RC-10 has that signature RC sound that is so effortless and refined.

I forgot about moving air. I had the cops over at our house a few times back in the day, for too many things were vibrating in the neighbor's houses. Yea, back in our Dino days I should call it, base was not just about sound levels, it was also about moving air, and I remember feeling the air waves hitting you.

For those out there that list speaker sensitivity, how does 101 db at 1 watt, at 1meter sound to you? And the dam thing was rated 350 watts rms and 600peak!

Anyway, the Energy speakers sound way better in the overall spectrum, just lack on base. With the Energy's I can hear things in my old music, that the Verwin Vegas just missed totally. It is like my old music is new again, and these are the C-series at the entry level. Makes one wonder what the other Energy series sound like, and what is being missed on the C- Series.

Well I could just be using the Sansui's as glorified speaker stands then LOL.

Bill

That's too funny.

At least if you use them as stands, you would NEVER have to worry about bumping in to them and knocking them over.

I am still using my C-300 boxes with bricks in the bottom for my C-100 side surrounds stand. Looks like hell, but works great for I get them above ear level, and at around 6 feet away from each sdie of the couch, it is not directional "In your Ear" as others have mentioned.

With the Uue of the C-50 rears (also above ear level, but only about 1 foot behing the couch), all seems to be working very well with the 7.x sound for movies.

Now about that C-100 stand....... So far, each time I go to look around, I get sick with what I can find, then stop. The tall fixed height stands, have small paltforms where the speaker sits, and the whole thing, just looks like an accident waiting to happen (bump and tip, and time to order new speakers again ). When I look at adjustable ones with a bigger floor footprint, along with the top end that can screw into the screw slot in the back of the C-100's, I can't get any specs on weight capicity, and wonder if they can handle the 11 pounds of the C-100?

So the ugly boxes are still it for now...

I'm finished with my acoustical treatments for my C-100 room. It's just cosmetics left to work on. I did the hand clap test and it was much improved over the bare room, but I've found a disturbing ringing sound that exists in the metal windows. I think the frames have some loose metal that vibrates when a sharp sound hits them. Not sure if there's anything I can do about it, and it will be mitigated somewhat when the curtains go back up. I didn't notice it before the treatments.

Reports in about a week.

Well if I do manage to knock them over I'm gonna have to work at it!


Now that's too funny LOL.


Glad that you like it. I have the same problem the rear surrounds will be sitting on the back of the couch. So 7.1 is out of the question. I still want to play around with mixing the Sansui's in and seeing how it sounds.


Yea I agree totally I looked at those things and said it ain't a matter of if, but when they get knocked over. Ain't no way I'm using them with any speakers I own.

I'm also curious what sub you went with? I'm thinking I saw you post the PA-120? I ended up getting the AA HD-Sub12 I hear it is more musical then the PA-120. Guess we shall see. Might come in handy if the Sansui's don't stand up well with the Energy's. Time will tell I guess.

Bill

Newegg has the Yamaha RX-V565 receiver for $330 with free shipping. I have the model under this one that I'm using for my C-100s. It's a good combo. YPAO may not be Audyssey, but it works very well and it's about 100 times faster.

Just got a Take 2 system cheap off fleabay and already have the upgrade bug, specifically for the center. The takes will be replacing a set of Athena Micra's which seems like a lateral move except now that Athena is gone having Energy speakers provides for future flexibility. Anyway back to the center question... what I can gather from this thread is that its best to match Take with Take so I should look for a Take FPS. Could I take a Take TWR and put it on its side? The C-C100 sounds like an awesome speaker... would I notice that much of a difference if the center was C-series and the rest was Takes? Thanks for any and all input!

I think you would notice a timbre difference with the C-100 as a center and the Take 2 as L/R, so it may not be a good match. IF you really want to upgrade, getting 3 C-C100 would yield a stronger sound stage up front. I am not that familiar with the Take 2 system as it is not on Energy's site any longer, but from what I can see off ebay...if you are using the one's I have linked, I think the Take FPS or TWR may be a step down. The TWR is almost 42" tall (i believe) with the ports at only the bottom (one side)...so it would not make a good center. The FPS can be used as a center; however, I really don't think that would yield any gains in your set-up. If you are trying to match a new center, try to stick with an Energy with the same woofer size and tweeter composition (ex. aluminum).

http://cgi.ebay.com/Energy-take-2-sa...3A1%7C294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com/Complete-Energy-...3A1%7C294%3A50

Sold out

This may be a silly question, but what are Energy speakers known for??

I am trying to decide how I feel about my Energy experience thus far. I do like their neutral sound, but i don't think they are effecient (again, specific to my series thus far). Are they supposed to be relatively efficient?

I started this process looking for info on the Samsung 67" DLP, and wound up with a whole new room of goodies, including a new 7.1 Energy speaker setup. I sure appreciated all the great assistance I received in this forum. I didn't even know of the Energy brand when I started, and I'm sure glad I discovered them. Best bang for the buck I've found in a long time.

Here's a link to an online album with photos of the room from all angles.

Online Album

Front: C-300s
Center: C-C100
Side: C-R100s
Rear: C-50s
Sub: ESW-V10

Thanks

Bruce

you forgot the link

Bruce, please do post a reminder of which Energy set-up you choose. BTW, the link is not posted.

What height stands are you looking for? I've got stands from 24"-36" and they would easily hold my C-100s with no problem. In fact I've used Athena B1, B2 and Advent H-200 which are all larger and heavier than the 11lb C-100.

A stand with a 5.5" x 5.5" top plate would be enough for your C-100s. Just use some blu tac or velcro squares in the corners to hold them in place.

Updated above....sorry about that

They are known for neutral sound and good build quality and right now very good pricing due to some closeout deals. As far as being efficient, they generally have a sensitivity rating around 88db which is pretty average. Klipsch are in the 93-96db range and my Athenas are around 91-92db. So there are more sensitive speaker available.

Looks good Bruce How do you like the C-R100"s? Have you tried to angle you're C-C100 toward you a little and see if it makes a difference?

I played a bit with the C-C100 and I didn't hear any difference, and even though it's back a bit from the top of the TV I don't have any delay issues so I'm satisfied with it.

This may sound a bit weird, but I "think" I like the C-R100s. I don't have a lot of source material in DTS or DTS-MA so I can't say a lot. They don't give off a lot of volume, but the sound just seems fuller than with just two front speakers. I've not had bi-pole speakers previously so I assume that's what I should expect.

Now the front is a different story - the lows really rattle the windows and the overall sound is awesome!

Bruce

I noticed a big difference when it was angled. I had to re-run audysey to tell a difference though.

Interesting....I'll have to play around some more and see what kind of results I can get. Bruce

You're ear's half to be the judge. Just giving some suggestions. You could also try putting a longer board on you're brackets to bring the speaker more forward then angle a little toward you're seating area. Maybe try 10 to 20 degrees of angle. Telling by the pictures it just seems that when you're sitting on you're couch the center sound would travel over you instead of at you.

I am going to try to post this, but I am not very good at multi-posting, so if it doesn't work, or make sense, well

First, I originally was going to do a dual front speaker setup, along with a 7.1 system. My father died a few years ago, and he had the Bose 301 Series III that I have been using for the last few years. My plan was to use the Bose for 2.X music and the Energies for HT, placing the C-100s on top of the Bose. With the Bose laying horizontal, and the C-100s on top, it placed the C-100s at the perfect ear level from what I have been reading here.

So I would say this about placing speakers on top of your San's. If your C-100s HT L/R speakers are at ear level, then go for it. My old Cerwin Vegas would have placed the C-100s way above ear level for the front stage, and from I read, is no good for the Front Sound stage. I have also read this is why the C-300/500s are designed at this height, so the Tweeters are at ear level. As far as the other series of Energy Towers, I do know if this same height Thing holds true.

With the C series at half cost or better, this was the only way I could afford to do full blown speaker setup, outside of a HTIB setup. So I had to go for it, and I have been so very happy. Base is still a definite lack luster with the C-300s, but adequate enough, and I hope someday to use a sub in Denon double base for music!

I know you got a HK, and I know little about it. One thing I do know about the Denon 1909/789, is you can have multiple setups for the fronts (A/B). Example: San's are set to large B, for 2.X mode music. Your C-100s fronts are set as part of A mode for the 5.X/7.X HT.

If Batpig chimes in here, he will give more specific details about this Denon mode, and is only one of the reason I went 1909. When I got the C-100s and was able to do an A/B switch in 2.X music mode with the Bose (Blows), Energy just killed it totally!

I then decided to make things easier and try to make a HT system that does both (Music and HT) with just one set of front speakers, and is why I bought the C-300s for fronts, and moved the C-100s as side Surrounds. Not sure if this is really helping you

Last, on the Sub you think I bought. Sorry, I have not. I live in an apt, and I am concerned about having a sub verses downward vibration for the first floor resident. I have read a few things, for a possible use of a sub in an Apt 2nd floor dweller.

1) Of all the subs I see posted here, the S8 that Batpig has bought looks like a possible, for it is great for music, and does not shake the house down in HT content. It is a more of a quality SQ, than a quantity of volume SQ sub, and this will help in an 2nd floor Apt.
2) Someone posted that you can turn off the +10 db LFE mode off (Denon?), and that will take away most of the earthquake level sound effects in most movies, this would help.
3) I plan to buy a subdude, to give the last effort I can do, to minimize the sound content traveling down to the first floor apartment.

So there you have my piece, but I am not regarded as any authority figure here, so maybe someone else chimes in.

Last, I have asked this question, now for the third time, so bump lol

What is the difference between a Downward firing sub and a Frontward firing sub, in regards to me on the second floor as an apt dweller? Does it make any difference to the sound pressure levels my neighbor will hear on the first floor verses sound quality I hear in my HT?

So at this point, the purchase of a sub is on question

Ok not an expert on this question but my two cents. What little I have read on down firing VS front firing for Apartment dwellers, the consensus was to go with font firing. Even though low frequency's to the human ear are pretty much non-directional, movement of air follows principles of fluids. Think of the effect of using a garden hose. If you fire it directly into the ground it tends to dig a hole. I you fire it along the ground it still moves a bit of dirt however does not have as dramatic an impact. I am sure it is not exactly the same but a glancing blow must be less than a direct blow....

I like this graphic answer. So if I understnd this right..

Downward firing gives better results, more. More low freq, good for movies on that X.1 track, which is what HTmovie buffs love, right? (Earthquakes).

And the front firing, fires all those low freqs forward, like skipping a rock across a lake towards a listener, but not the impact of dropping a rock from two feet up, to shake it... shake it?

OK, this is now understood... finally... Thank you!

Now, how about a sub that is in this apt environment. Does batpig's S8 still hold water?