So....I bought some speakers.

[Nomo]

My narcissistic resolution for 2012 was to upgrade my front speakers.

I've auditioned everything I can up here in foxhatland.
B&W 600 series, Paradigm series 7, Monitor Audio, Focal...just to name a few.
I also seriously considered the ID brands: Emotiva, SVS, Swan, Aperion, the usual suspects.

I am never one to buy something on a whim. I research, procrastinate, research, think about it, and procrastinate some more.

Suddenly this last weekend I ran across an ad for Energy RC-70s at a good price.

After a good bit of searching for reviews and a fading memory of hearing the smaller version (RC-50 I believe) a few months ago, combined with hearing them in a local place 2-3 years ago..........I hit the confirm order button.

They arrive tomorrow.

Aside from this confessional to the errors in my ways; The manual, and reviews I've read, recommend an extended break-in period of 100hrs.

Several companies, ID in particular, have this same recommendation.

I've always taken this with a grain of salt as I've felt it gave them traction to argue against returns.

I'd love to hook these things up, crank them up, and hear what they can do.
Obviously this is a bad idea.

At the risk of opening a can of worms about break-in; How much do these speakers need before I can put put some volume on them without damaging them?

 

[Adam]

Congrats! That resolution didn't take long.

People can say what they want about break in, but that manual seems pretty emphatic about not cranking them up until you've got 100 hours on them. On the flip side, they don't quantify what "moderate" means. I think that "moderate" to a lot of people is ear-bleeding to me.

 

[avnetguy]

Congrats on the RC-70s! If you liked the RC-50 I'm sure you're going to enjoy them.

IMO, no break-in required just common sense of not pushing the amps limits into distortion. I played my RC-70s to 85-95db SPL range (my normal listening levels) right out of the box and have run them up into the 100-105 range on some occasions.

Steve

 

[zieglj01]

If you want to be fair, to both sides of belief - then give them
13 minutes and 3.5786 seconds, before doing serious listening.

 

[Alex2507]

At the risk of opening a can of worms about break-in; How much do these speakers need before I can put put some volume on them without damaging them?

I heard something intelligent said on the topic of break in by one of the Boston Audio Society guys. Based on what he said I wrote something down and it reads: Ratio of box:driver makes difference for break in relevance.

Moderate to me and any other reasonably good looking smart person would be < 75 db. Just let it play for 4 days and then put the pedal to the metal. If the drivers give up the magic smoke ... they weren't the drivers for you.

Congrat's on the new gear. That's always fun.

 

[its phillip]

Congrats on your purchase. I didn't bother with any kind of break in with my speakers (RC-50s) - it's not like I blasted them at max volume right away, but I certainly didn't take it easy on em either.

 

[agarwalro]

My narcissistic resolution for 2012 was to upgrade my front speakers... I ran across an ad for Energy RC-70s at a good price..........I hit the confirm order button.

That was quick . Congrats!

 

[agarwalro]

I heard something intelligent said on the topic of break in by one of the Boston Audio Society guys. Based on my female anatomy thoughts I wrote something down and it reads: Ratio of box:driver makes difference for break in relevance.

Fixed it for ya. .

 

[GranteedEV]

play thek as loud as they sound comfortable. learn the speakers' limits.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Congrats on the purchase ! I haven't heard these myself, but I did listen to polk monitors. Based on 3rd party reviews of Energy's RC-50 and RC-70 I'd say you made a big improvement in your fronts.

Time to get RC-LCR...


p.s: I remember I seen RC-70 go for $400 /ea on woot, now amazon have them a bit under 500.... just curious how much you paid for yours?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Congratulations! They seem to be very nice speakers. I'm sure you will love them.

 

[its phillip]

Congrats on the purchase ! I haven't heard these myself, but I did listen to polk monitors. Based on 3rd party reviews of Energy's RC-50 and RC-70 I'd say you made a big improvement in your fronts.

Time to get RC-LCR...


p.s: I remember I seen RC-70 go for $400 /ea on woot, now amazon have them a bit under 500.... just curious how much you paid for yours?

I was so upset when they had the rc-70s and rc-lcrs on woot because I didn't have the money at the time. I think $1000/pr for the 70s is a great deal (amazon/vanns) though. $280 for the rc-lcr from amazon/vanns is a good deal too. I forget how much I paid for mine but it was slightly more.

 

[Nomo]

Thanks all,
I think I'll probably hook them up on my den system and loop a few CDs for a couple of days.

Congrats on the purchase ! I haven't heard these myself, but I did listen to polk monitors. Based on 3rd party reviews of Energy's RC-50 and RC-70 I'd say you made a big improvement in your fronts.

Time to get RC-LCR...


p.s: I remember I seen RC-70 go for $400 /ea on woot, now amazon have them a bit under 500.... just curious how much you paid for yours?

RC-LCR will be here tomorrow.

I paid $500 for the 70's and $280 for the RC-LCR.

It seemed too good to pass on. Hopefully it was.

 

[its phillip]

They'll definitely be a huge upgrade from the polk monitor series

 

[billy p]

I compared the RTi's to the Energy RC's and the RC's had the upper hand in in clarity, imaging, resolution and overall better dispersion area. I was a big fan of Energy products untill...well, you know..Klipsch and later Audiovox. I still think they're very good speakers and provide even a better value with the lowered prices...post some pics when you get em...

 

[PENG]

I would give it at least 16 hours of breakin time just in case but would progressively increase the volume during the breakin period. To get the best of the RC-70 I would drive it with a 4 ohm capable AVR/AMP if you are prepared to play them loud.

 

[Nomo]

I compared the RTi's to the Energy RC's and the RC's had the upper hand in in clarity, imaging, resolution and overall better dispersion area. I was a big fan of Energy products untill...well, you know..Klipsch and later Audiovox. I still think they're very good speakers and provide even a better value with the lowered prices...post some pics when you get em...

Hey Billy.
Back when I heard the RC-70s I also heard the RTI-7s and felt the same way, within the limits of the crappy listening room. I also compsred them to some Klipsch, the Energy's were better than the Polks and much better than the Klipsch. I've always felt the RTIs were an improvement over the Monitors, Just not enough to upgrade to them. I've always liked the Polk sound but have become tired of it.

I would give it at least 16 hours of breakin time just in case but would progressively increase the volume during the breakin period. To get the best of the RC-70 I would drive it with a 4 ohm capable AVR/AMP if you are prepared to play them loud.

Yeah, from what I've read the sensitivity of the RC-70s is a bit over stated. Probably closer to 88db. But they only dip to 4ohms at a couple of points. (I forget the frequencies).
I think my Emo LPA-1 will be up to the task. If not; how do you spell XPA?

 

[Nomo]

BTW, I forgot to mention: After pulling the speakers out of the cartons tonite, I noticed a bit of condensation on them.
Just to be safe, break in has been postponed 'til tomorrow.

 

[Adam]

BTW, I forgot to mention: After pulling the speakers out of the cartons tonite, I noticed a bit of condensation on them.
Just to be safe, break in has been postponed 'til tomorrow.

Why wait? You know that they're just going to get wet once you turn them on, anyway.

 

[Nomo]

Why wait? You know that they're just going to get wet once you turn them on, anyway.

Probably, But water is much easier to clean up.

Not that I would know of course.