[LDBecker]

I'm assembling a (hopefully) decent speaker system for my Pioneer Elite 49TX-based system. I found some "open box" Energy Veritas 2.3's (which I really like), some open box Veritas 2.0 rears (also like them), and the above-mentioned Energy Microstar 12.1 sub, also open box and on sale for about 40% off of list.

This sub seems similar, in concept at least, to the Sunfire subs with closed boxes, HUGE switching amps (1500 watts), but with a 12" kevlar cone. It SEEMS to be discontinued, doesn't show up AT ALL on Energy's web site UNLESS you do a Google search, find the unlisted pdf files on their site, and go directly to it. The salesman alluded to a patent conflict with Carver over the similarity to their Sunfire subs as causing them to discontinue the line.

I'm really interested in it, and it seems to me to sound and look really great (absolutely ZERO experience with subs, but know that I don't like the boominessof several I've heard other places). The sub sounds tight, really fills out the bottom end with the Veritas 2.3's, the price seems about what I wanted to pay, AND the store is offering 24 months zero interest and 10% off (the only way this is going to happen right now).

I listen to classical, pop (Eagles, Corrs, James Taylor, Cheryl Crow), jazz, DVD-Audio (killer!), and about 40% of my use is TV/movies. Should I jump on it?

Thanks for the opinions!

Larry

 

[zan789]

I have a full Veritas 7.1 surround setup (v2.4, v2.0C, 2xv2.0R) (excluding the sub) and they are excellent, EXCELLENT speakers.


If I remember correctly the Microstar has some kinda exercusion sensing thingy that prevents the woofer from bottoming out..which IMO is bad. I think it limits the output. Although the Microstar is pretty darn loud (I heard it can colapse your chest).


I would prefer to know if my woofer is bottoming so I can know to buy more subs!!! I went with an SVS Ultra instead of the microstar.

 

[LDBecker]

Zan789,

Thanks for the encouragement on the Veritas speakers. I haven't heard much about them, but to my ears they are head-and-shoulders above most of what I've heard elsewhere.

You mentioned the 2.4's -- I'm afraid to even listen to them because they are quite a ways out of my budget. I did read a review of them and they seemed to do well.

On the "excursion sensing thingy," the pdf for the Microstar 12.1 says, "Our proprietary Clipping Protection Circuit continuously senses the excursion of the cone, and automatically preconditions the signal to prevent waveform clipping and compensate for non-linearity." I think I like your term better... I don't know about having my chest colapsed, but on the DTS track of the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over," the opening part of "Hotel California" shook the whole store. It was amazing. I don't think I'll tell my wife about that part!

What kind of music do you listen to on the Veritas? There aren't many 7.1 systems out there... what do you drive them with. I've been assured that my Pioneer Elite 49TX will do well with them.

Thanks,

Larry

 

[phyre3]

That is a great sub and I had no clue it was being discontinued. There are a bunch of stuff not on energys website anymore. Anyway Velodyne uses anti clipping circuitry as well to limit distortion and the things are musical.

 

[zan789]

Yes, I concur that the Microstar is an excellent Subwoofer. I read one review somewhere (audioreview.com?) and someone suggested that the escursion limiter limited the low frequency output.


I love my veritas v2.4s, I would only trade them for martin logal prodigy's ($10,000). Compared to many high end speakers IMO the veritas can compete with speakers at a much higher price range.


I listen to everything from ambient to heavy metal to jazz. You name it! I am driving the Veritas v2.4s with an NAD Silverline S200 (2x225), the surrounds/center with a Rotel RMB-1095 (5x200) and my sub with an NAD 218THX (1x700 bridged 8hm, ~1kW at 4ohm).


The system gets extremely loud, considering my theater room is 12x15. My neighbors hate me.


Don't worry too much about power with the v2.3s. These speakers are pretty efficient. You can always upgrade to a seperate amp when you have more $. Just remember that the veritas are very revealing and make it pretty easy to tell the difference between mid-fi and hi-fi components.


-Zan

 

[LDBecker]

I'm heading out shortly to pick up the speakers. I decided to go with the 2.3's in front, 2.0 C for center, 2.0R's for the sides, the Microstar 12.1 for sub, and I'll use my old Infinity RSe's for the back channels for now. Space is at a premium, so I may go with some kind of flush ceiling-mounted speakers with rotatable tweeters to give some directionality, or just splurge down the road and get some Veritas 2.1's or 2.2's.


Zan789, I read a good review of the 2.4's in the March/April 2002 Stereophile Guide to Home Theater. The reviewer really liked the 2.4's and 2.0R's, but didn't care much for the 2.0C. He also said that he didn't get a sub from Energy because they were revamping their line. That must be why the Microstar 12.1 is on closeout. He also suggested that 2.3's with a sub would sound ok -- "With one less woofer but an otherwise similar design, the only compromise... is likely to be in the LF response below about 40hz--which you won't miss with a sub handling the bass."


I'll post again after I get things set up.


Thanks again!


Larry

 

[LDBecker]

Ok, WOW! I had no idea a decent sub could do this for a speaker system! By setting the crossover to 80 (maybe I'll go lower when I get my other Veritas 2.3's set up?), it seems to free the mains to do what they do best. Things got a LOT clearer, and once I set the sub's level correctly, it blended in pretty well with my old Infinitys.


I have a question, though. The 12.1 has a variable PHASE control. I have no clue how to set that, or even if its necessary to set it when I have only one sub. Is it to help prevent cancellation of multiple subwoofers?


It really gave me a start when I set it up. I couldn't get any sound out of it at all, and I was worried that, since it was an open box unit, there might be a problem. So, like a fool, I turned the sub's volume up to max (remember this is 1500 watts), and found the setting in my receiver to tell it that a sub was now connected. Just as I was about to hit the enter button I realized the error of my ways. I thought it was an earthquake! (I'm in the LA area, so...) This sub is impressive, and I did, as someone else mentioned, have a pain in my chest about it.


The more I listen to it, the more it blends in with the music and the less locatable it seems. Finding the right level with the new speakers will help.


Thanks for the advice. It seems to be a great sub.


Larry

 

[zan789]

I am probably wrong but I think phase is for timing correction. Like you might want to reverse phase if the sub is placed in the back of the room while the speakers in the front.

 

[LDBecker]

Zan789,

Energy sent me a pdf file of the manual for the sub. I had e-mailed them on Sunday and it was waiting for me on Monday morning in my in-box. The manual has instructions for how to set it up by ear, and all it says about the phase control is after you adjust the low pass filter control to achieve the best mix with your speakers, adjust the phase control "until the fullest bass output is achieved." In otherwords, play with it. Sounds like fun to me!

I couldn't wait to try the rest of the speakers, but I'm in mid-painting and rearranging of the room, but I did hook up the 2.0C. I am so pleased with it. This should be really good.


Thanks for your input on the sub.

Larry