Question for Energy speaker owners/experts (1 Viewer)

[Steve Satch]

I have the Energy Take 5 set with Energy XLS10 sub pushed by Yamaha 995 in large room 75% movies 25% music. Overall I'm very pleased but the fronts lack for music, I wish the center did more with the movie dialogue, and I think the sub is a bit too boomy. I want to replace at least the front three and save for an SVS sub. Options I'm considering are 1) get e:XL16s for fronts, e:XLC for center, keeping my rear Take 2s and saving for SVS sub. 2) get four e:XL16s for front and rear since it will match better and be more powerful for the rear, get XLC for center and saving for SVS sub. Questions, are the Take 2s enough for the rears (match good enough too) or do I need XL16 there? Are XL16s enough for mains or do I need to step up to something even bigger? Is there a big difference between the XLC and XLC2 center speakers? Anything else I should consider?
Thanks,
Satch

 

[Carlo_M]

Steve, if you like Energy's sound, I would recommend going one up from the e:XL line.
Try to find some C-series (Connoisseur) speakers, they are discontinued but the C2 & C6 have a big and loyal following. The AC300 center matches those speakers. If you can't find and C speakers, consider going AC300 all the way around.
Good luck!
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I know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve - Bilbo Baggins

 

[Kirk Gunn]

I've got the XL 16's for L/R with the ES-10 and Take 2's for rears. The Take 2's are definitely the weakest link for surround music, but they do the job.
If you can swing XL 16's all around, it will be tremendous, especially for DTS CD's, SACD, DVD-Audio or surround DSP's. This was my original configuration until we moved and my decorator-dictator wanted smaller rears hanging off the walls....
Then you can turn the Xover of the ES-10 down and it will be less boomy. Definitely get a Radio Shack SPL and balance them !
Good Luck

 

[KeithH]

Steve, I use Energy e:XL 16s for my fronts and surrounds, the e:XL-C center speaker, and the e:XL-S10 sub. I am very happy with the performance for the price. Although I have not tried the Connoisseur Series, I am sure they would best the e:XL speakers if you can spend more. The e:XL speakers provide excellent bang for the buck though. In particular, the e:XL 16s are amazing for $300. I liked them enough to buy another pair for a stereo system in a secomd room. Somehow, these little bookshelf speakers are very musical. No harshness, plenty of bass for a bookshelf model, and great detail.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime
[Edited last by KeithH on July 17, 2001 at 06:12 AM]

 

[Steve Schaffer]

Steve,
I had the exact same dilemma a couple of years ago. I had the Take-5 with the 8" sub. I was ok with the sub, and the little Take-5s were fine for movies, but a bit lacking for music. My reciever was a Yamaha RXV-795.
I started out just upgrading the mains to the Exl 16s, and later got the Exl-C, and then got Exl 15s for rears. If I had it to do over, I'd have gotten the 16s for rears too, as I understand the 15s and 16s use different tweeters. I haven't noticed any problem, though. I kept the 8" sub, and later added a Klipsch KSW-12 (SVS weren't out at that time).
I do get much better sound when playing music, and movies sound fuller and smoother.
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Steve S.
I prefer not to push the subwoofers until they're properly run in.

 

[Carlo_M]

If you're going with the e:XL-16's I would recommend getting the e:XL-C2 (rather than the old e:XL-C) because it has larger (matching the 16's size I believe) midrange cones. My old e:XL-C used to be overpowered by the e:XL-16s, and I would have to raise the volume on my center channel. The new C2 would probably be a better match for the 16s (from what I've seen, since I moved up to the C series I've sold my old center and moved the 16's to the rear).
Good luck!
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I know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve - Bilbo Baggins

 

[KeithH]

Steve Schaffer, I had similar experiences as you when I was shopping for speakers last year. I considered saving some money by getting the e:XL 15s for surrounds, but went with the e:XL 16s for mains and surrounds since the 15s use a different tweeter. Marc Hallam at Audioshop in Canada and others recommended against mixing the 15s and 16s. That's good advice. Also, I tested out the Take 5 set at the store I ended up buying the e:XL package from. I found the Take 5s to be great for home theater. However, it was with music that I found this set to be lacking. In my opinion, satellite speakers do not work well for music. Just my $0.02.
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My:
HT Pics ; Equipment List ; DVD Collection ; LD Collection
KeithH: Saving the Home Theater World Before Bedtime

 

[Joey Fish]

Steve, I compared e:XL 16 and e:XL 25 about a month ago. e:XL 25 is more musical and mid-ranage is very good. Also,
it don't need to buy a stand for it since 25 is floor stand.
IMHO, I would recommended this Energy setup.
Energy e:XL 25 (Front)
Energy e:XL 16 (Back)exl15 is still OK for back and save $$
Energy e:XL C2 (Center)
SVS 25-31CS (Sub)
-- Joey
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-- Joey