Energy Veritas vs. Energy RC vs. Axiom. Looking for ultimate HT experience.

[Conan48]

Hello everyone.

I think Ive narrowed it down to these three speaker manufacturers. The reason I'm thinking of going with the Energy Veritas or Energy RC is that I friend of mine can get me some really good deals on them. Also, I auditioned the Energy RC and Veritas and really liked the sound. I had to audition them at Futureshop which is one of the worst places to audition speakers. I can away impressed with the energy lineup. I found they had a really wide soundstage and they are very detailed, and produce a smooth deep sound.

The reason Im thinking of the Axiom (most likey the M80 package without the sub) is the rave reviews and and best bang for the buck comments. I have not heard them and don't have anyone near me to try them out. I would have to use their 30 day policy and pay return shipping if Im not satisfied.

The main use for the speakers will be 80% HT/gaming and 20% music. They will be going in a basement that is 12x25x7.5(ceiling) The thing is that I don't know if I should spend the extra money on the Veritas if my main use will be HT. I will not be doing too much critical listening. I do enjoy listening to my SACD and DVDA once a week or so.

I prefer a punchy and very detailed sound with soundstage between all the speakers, without the speaker being too bright. I currently have the PSB T55 and while they are good speakers, they are too laid back and don't have the dynamic range Im looking for. The Energy RC and Veritas have more dynamic and punchier sound. I tried out the new Polk RTi line also and they were inferior to the Energy in every way. Very bright, harsh sounding with no midbass definition. I've heard the Axiom can be bright. Has anyone compared them to Polk? hopefully the sound from the Axioms is much better the the Polk.

I can get the Veritas 2.4i and matching centre and surrounds for 3400.00
The RC-70 with matching centre and surrounds will be about 1900.00
The Axiom M80 with centre and surrounds is about 2300.00

What do you guys think. What would be the best for great HT experience? Is there anything else in this range that is available to Canada that would be great for HT? I was looking at Rockets, and a few other ID brands but they don't ship to Canada.

thanks guys.

[deedubb]

Perhaps I'm somewhat biased, but if this is mainly HT, I would not buy anything before auditioning Definitive Technology.

[billy p]

Perhaps I'm somewhat biased, but if this is mainly HT, I would not buy anything before auditioning Definitive Technology.

He is looking to improve on the his Psb t55's. I don't think the def techs are an improvement.

[Bluesmoke]

I haven't heard the Axiom, but the Veritas are "veri" over-rated in comparison to the Energy RC70s. The jump just isn't as big. Maybe you need high quality separates and amps to hear the difference.

RC70s + the RCLCR + RCR for $1900? :eek: What are you waiting for? However, if you're willing to spend $3400, then get the Veritas.

[InTheIndustry]

This is a tough question that can be approached from several different angles.

Potential down side to the Veritas depending on your electronics: My meeting with the Energy Rep just ended literally 30 mins ago and we talked a little about the Veritas line. He felt that to adequately power them for best use you need seperates (probably not true for the bookshelf V2.2i). I wouldn't know, because I've never used them, but that's what he suggested for the towers. If true, I don't see that being a good value because you could potentially spend more on powering them then the speakers themselves which is something I rarely (if ever) recommend.

I, personally, would go with the RC's and upgrade the sub. Possibly a JLAudio Fathom F112 or two Sunfire HRS-12's?

ORRRR.... Go with the Veritas V2.2i bookshelf, matching Veritas V2.0i center AND upgrade your sub.

[Conan48]

Im going to be running the speakers on a yamaha 6190. Not exactly high end, but I may upgrade the amp in the future. I read a little about Def Techs and they seem like a very interesting speaker for HT with there supercube subs built in. Why do you think they would be a downgrade from PSBT55? I found out that Bay Bloor Radio caries them. Might add them to the list as they are inexpensive and promise big HT sound. Thanks for the comments.

[Sheep]

I haven't heard the Axiom, but the Veritas are "veri" over-rated in comparison to the Energy RC70s. The jump just isn't as big. Maybe you need high quality separates and amps to hear the difference.

RC70s + the RCLCR + RCR for $1900? :eek: What are you waiting for? However, if you're willing to spend $3400, then get the Veritas.

I listened to the 2.4is for 45 minutes the other day, and I personally thought they were better then the RC line, mainly in the midrange (where they differ). The Veritas has a better enclosure that is more rigid, and has less resonance. Thusly they have less coloration. The RC line always came across as dry, too dry for my linking.

However, the Veritas line is pricey. If you can get a smoking deal on them, I would buy it, but the RC line will likely be much cheaper.

SheepStar

[billy p]

Im going to be running the speakers on a yamaha 6190. Not exactly high end, but I may upgrade the amp in the future. I read a little about Def Techs and they seem like a very interesting speaker for HT with there supercube subs built in. Why do you think they would be a downgrade from PSBT55? I found out that Bay Bloor Radio caries them. Might add them to the list as they are inexpensive and promise big HT sound. Thanks for the comments.

Who said the DT were a downgrade, certainly not me;)? I just believe the Veritas would be a better speaker then the aforementioned choices. I know Bay Bloor carries them I've heard the ads. I guess you owe it to yourself to give them a listen, since you've heard the others?

[3db]

Hello everyone.

I think Ive narrowed it down to these three speaker manufacturers. The reason I'm thinking of going with the Energy Veritas or Energy RC is that I friend of mine can get me some really good deals on them. Also, I auditioned the Energy RC and Veritas and really liked the sound. I had to audition them at Futureshop which is one of the worst places to audition speakers. I can away impressed with the energy lineup. I found they had a really wide soundstage and they are very detailed, and produce a smooth deep sound.

The reason Im thinking of the Axiom (most likey the M80 package without the sub) is the rave reviews and and best bang for the buck comments. I have not heard them and don't have anyone near me to try them out. I would have to use their 30 day policy and pay return shipping if Im not satisfied.

The main use for the speakers will be 80% HT/gaming and 20% music. They will be going in a basement that is 12x25x7.5(ceiling) The thing is that I don't know if I should spend the extra money on the Veritas if my main use will be HT. I will not be doing too much critical listening. I do enjoy listening to my SACD and DVDA once a week or so.

I prefer a punchy and very detailed sound with soundstage between all the speakers, without the speaker being too bright. I currently have the PSB T55 and while they are good speakers, they are too laid back and don't have the dynamic range Im looking for. The Energy RC and Veritas have more dynamic and punchier sound. I tried out the new Polk RTi line also and they were inferior to the Energy in every way. Very bright, harsh sounding with no midbass definition. I've heard the Axiom can be bright. Has anyone compared them to Polk? hopefully the sound from the Axioms is much better the the Polk.

I can get the Veritas 2.4i and matching centre and surrounds for 3400.00
The RC-70 with matching centre and surrounds will be about 1900.00
The Axiom M80 with centre and surrounds is about 2300.00

What do you guys think. What would be the best for great HT experience? Is there anything else in this range that is available to Canada that would be great for HT? I was looking at Rockets, and a few other ID brands but they don't ship to Canada.

thanks guys.

I can understand your comment about the T55s being laid back in sound. I like their sound but I can understand if others don't. I will disagree with your statement in them lacking punch or dynamics. They are very dynamic and will keep up with to all but the Veritas line. If you really want an upgrade from what you have now in terms of dynamics, the Veritas line is the way to go.

[deedubb]

He is looking to improve on the his Psb t55's. I don't think the def techs are an improvement.

I have a pair of PSB 300's, Stratus Silvers, Stratus Golds, and Def Tech BP7001SC's. I beg to differ.

[deedubb]

I listened to the 2.4is for 45 minutes the other day, and I personally thought they were better then the RC line, mainly in the midrange (where they differ). The Veritas has a better enclosure that is more rigid, and has less resonance. Thusly they have less coloration. The RC line always came across as dry, too dry for my linking.

However, the Veritas line is pricey. If you can get a smoking deal on them, I would buy it, but the RC line will likely be much cheaper.

SheepStar

I agree. I've listened to both. I don't think the RC line would be an upgrade from your current PSB's and I'm not sure the Veritas is worth the money. I prefer my PSB Stratus Gold's over the Veritas 2.4. I'd probably stick with what you have.

[billy p]

I have a pair of PSB 300's, Stratus Silvers, Stratus Golds, and Def Tech BP7001SC's. I beg to differ.

Well then it appears he owes it to himself to give them a listen. However you did state your bias and regardless of what you subjectively heard the veritas are a step above the other speakers. Considering that price I wouldn't pass them up.

[Conan48]

Would you still reccommend the Veritas if Im running them off a Yamaha 6190b. Im not planning on getting a better amp for the time being.

Anyone care to comment on Energy RC or Veritas vs. Axiom? I think I may stay away from Def Tech speakers. There is so much hate for them on this board and many others that I don't think I want to waste a 40 minute drive to audition them. BTW, I made a mistake. I own the PSB t45, not the T55 model.

[Haoleb]

Would you still reccommend the Veritas if Im running them off a Yamaha 6190b. Im not planning on getting a better amp for the time being.

Anyone care to comment on Energy RC or Veritas vs. Axiom? I think I may stay away from Def Tech speakers. There is so much hate for them on this board and many others that I don't think I want to waste a 40 minute drive to audition them. BTW, I made a mistake. I own the PSB t45, not the T55 model.


Hate for Deftech? Seems like those things get mentioned in every other post ever created. :confused:

[mazersteven]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=980203

[Conan48]

mazersteven, I guess you frequent AVS also. LOL. Yeah Im double posting this thread there too. The more opinions, the better.

[PENG]

Before I settled on the Veritas V2.3i I listened multiple times to the Paradigm Studio series, Signature S2, S8, KEF (IQ series only), Polk LSi 15, RTi10,12, Energy C-9 (no RC at the time), Klipsch, PSB, NHT, B&W 803S, 802D, and a few others including a pair of big Def Tech. Among all those speakers I auditioned in those days, I preferred the sound quality of the B&W and the Paradigm Signature series. The B&W and the S8 were too expensive for me and the S2 did not sound better than the Veritas overall. I did not like the Def Tech at all for lack of transparency. I have since read good reviews on the Def Tech so some day I am going to give them another listen.

$3,400 for a pair of 2.4i is a great price. I paid only slightly less for the much smaller 2.3i. Even the 2.3i can handle a lot of power but can sound good with a decent receiver. My 2.3i was demoed with a 7X100 WPC Arcam AVR300 in the show room. I made my decision right there.

[fredk]

Anyone care to comment on Energy RC or Veritas vs. Axiom?
I can't compare them to either speaker, but if you want to get an idea what the M80 sounds like, go listen to the Paradigm Monitor 11, or the B&W 703. People who have done a/b comparisons say these two are very close to the M80.

I too am looking at Axioms, but, as luck would have it, I only live 3 hours from them

Fred

[Conan48]

Am I crazy to be considering the Axiom setup for a saving of a little over 1000.00 over an entire Veritas setup? would the Axiom be blown away by the quality of the veritas? I don't mind spending 1000.00 more if the quality will be that much better.

[billy p]

Am I crazy to be considering the Axiom setup for a saving of a little over 1000.00 over an entire Veritas setup? would the Axiom be blown away by the quality of the veritas? I don't mind spending 1000.00 more if the quality will be that much better.

Here is something: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17247&highlight=veritas+axiom

I read the whole thread and the M80's are a decent dollar value BUT you could can hear and notice the difference them?

[3db]

Am I crazy to be considering the Axiom setup for a saving of a little over 1000.00 over an entire Veritas setup? would the Axiom be blown away by the quality of the veritas? I don't mind spending 1000.00 more if the quality will be that much better.

Considering you find the sound of the PSB too laid back, maybe the Axiom would suit you better than the Veritas. Axiom has a nice midrange and detailed highs that some find bright, others find accurate. I think the Veritas highs would be more like the PSBs, detailed but not in that bright sort of way.

[kicknsupra]

my vote goes for the Veritas but i might be saying that cause have them they do like a lot of power and are kind of bright or detailed but are very good overall

[3db]

my vote goes for the Veritas but i might be saying that cause have them they do like a lot of power and are kind of bright or detailed but are very good overall

No question that the Veritas is better than the Axioms. But the OP didn't like the PSBs becuase he felt they were too laid back. My thinking s that the Veritas sound more similar to the PSBs then they do the Axioms and that the Axiom would fit his needs a little better.

[Conan48]

I read the m80 vs. Veritas 2.4i thread and was pretty stunned to read that Craigsub chose the M80 vs the Veritas, when the Veritas costs more then twice as much. Maybe Craigsubs ears are too damaged from all those Subwoofer tests he performs. Rattled his brain loose a little:D:p

[jcPanny]

For HT, also audition the Klipsch Reference line in your budget.

AV123 also has their rocket line which is designed to compete with the Paradigm Studios and should work very will for your HT system. The Rocket center channel is huge and is one of the strong points of the rocket line and some consider the center a weak point of the Axioms.

[billy p]

I read the m80 vs. Veritas 2.4i thread and was pretty stunned to read that Craigsub chose the M80 vs the Veritas, when the Veritas costs more then twice as much. Maybe Craigsubs ears are too damaged from all those Subwoofer tests he performs. Rattled his brain loose a little:D:p

Maybe but he also mentioned being able to discern between the two rather early in that test;). Knowning this and the price difference skewed his decision?

[Higgsy]

Hey Conan do you want to sell your T45's?

[3db]

Hey Conan do you want to sell your T45's?

Welcome aboard :)

Smart man!! :D

[Higgsy]

Thankx. No harm in asking right! LOL.

[Conan48]

sorry, already sold them. I did end up buying the Energy RC series and they are amazing! They do have a similar sound to the PSB, but the RC is a little more refined, has a wider soundstage, and they play louder. I bought an SVS sub to boot and damn the house shakes. Overall I think the Energy is a nice step up for me. However, Im comparing appples to oranges. The PSB was the entry level model and the Energy is their mid level entry. Im sure the higher end PSB would compare very well (or better) the the Energy RC, but for 1100.00 for a pair of RC-70 I couldn't pass them up.

[3db]

sorry, already sold them. I did end up buying the Energy RC series and they are amazing! They do have a similar sound to the PSB, but the RC is a little more refined, has a wider soundstage, and they play louder. I bought an SVS sub to boot and damn the house shakes. Overall I think the Energy is a nice step up for me. However, Im comparing appples to oranges. The PSB was the entry level model and the Energy is their mid level entry. Im sure the higher end PSB would compare very well (or better) the the Energy RC, but for 1100.00 for a pair of RC-70 I couldn't pass them up.

PSB entry level are the Alpha series. The lower mid series is the Image series, the upper mid series are the "G" series. The Image series are not entry level.

[Higgsy]

Thanks for the reply Conan. Where did you buy your RC?