Comments on Energy CF-30 & CC-10 ?

[Kinketsu]

A big-box retailer in Canada has Energy Connoisseur, 2 x CF-30 plus CC-10, as a package on sale for $600.

I realize it might not be a spectacular price but a search around suggests it's not awful. I now have some sitting in a box, not yet setup ... fully returnable for a few days if necessary.

So, I'm curious ...

1. Any general comments on those speakers?

2. What in similar price range that you think I should compare them to? (I may have to winnow the list due to local availability, but thoughts appreciated.)

3. Presuming I keep them ... and in case I get the inclination soon ... suggestions for reasonably-priced sides and sub to mate with these would be appreciated. Would CB-5's work OK as sides?

K

 

[zieglj01]

A big-box retailer in Canada has Energy Connoisseur, 2 x CF-30 plus CC-10, as a package on sale for $600.

I realize it might not be a spectacular price but a search around suggests it's not awful. I now have some sitting in a box, not yet setup ... fully returnable for a few days if necessary.

Hook them up and listen to them.

 

[Kinketsu]

Hook them up and listen to them.

No question there ! ... Didn't mean to suggest that I planned otherwise ... just got them late today and haven't had time so far ... nonetheless, trying to think ahead to things I might like to seek out and compare, as the possible-return clock is now ticking.

 

[GO-NAD!]

A big-box retailer in Canada has Energy Connoisseur, 2 x CF-30 plus CC-10, as a package on sale for $600.

I realize it might not be a spectacular price but a search around suggests it's not awful. I now have some sitting in a box, not yet setup ... fully returnable for a few days if necessary.

That's not such a bad price, but don't keep them for that reason alone. I haven't heard those particular speakers, but Energy builds fine products. Did you do any listening and/or research before buying? If I were you, I'd listen to some different brands before making a final decision - preferably in direct comparison with the Energys Otherwise, you may be forever second-guessing yourself.

Another model you might want to try, which have a fantastic reputation, is the Infinity P363, which is on sale at Best Buy right now for Can$500/pair. They have a 30-day return policy, so you could pick up a pair and try them right beside the Energys. The matching centre is not on sale and goes for $300, but you don't have to buy it now - you could wait for that one to go on sale at some point.

As for surrounds, what 's the budget? I don't think you need to stick with a particular make/model series, as they would be far enough apart that timbre matching isn't as big of an issue - IMHO.

For a subwoofer, again, what's your budget? If can do DIY, you can get a great subwoofer for a very reasonable amount.

 

[Kinketsu]

That's not such a bad price, but don't keep them for that reason alone. I haven't heard those particular speakers, but Energy builds fine products. Did you do any listening and/or research before buying? If I were you, I'd listen to some different brands before making a final decision - preferably in direct comparison with the Energys Otherwise, you may be forever second-guessing yourself.

Honestly I grabbed them because of the sale price, and the main motivation for my post was to do some of the research you are suggesting.

Another model you might want to try, which have a fantastic reputation, is the Infinity P363, which is on sale at Best Buy right now for Can$500/pair. They have a 30-day return policy, so you could pick up a pair and try them right beside the Energys. The matching centre is not on sale and goes for $300, but you don't have to buy it now - you could wait for that one to go on sale at some point.

Perfect. Exactly the info I'm looking for ... local one a few minutes from my house has them, and so I will grab some today. For fair comparison I guess I'll need to grab the centre as well, and consider my options.

As for surrounds, what 's the budget? I don't think you need to stick with a particular make/model series, as they would be far enough apart that timbre matching isn't as big of an issue - IMHO.

For a subwoofer, again, what's your budget? If can do DIY, you can get a great subwoofer for a very reasonable amount.

In retrospect I probably shouldn't have chased this line of thought until I got further along. I have a budget Athena Micra system in another room (with one dead satellite), and (maybe) a spare pair of Mission bookshelves. In some sense this new room is replacing my prior need for 5.1 in the original room ... so, what I might do is go 2.0 Missions in the original room, and use the sub and Micra satellites in the new room. That Athena sub offers no control other than volume ... it might be it sounds OK, or maybe it'll sound awful LOL.

I travel to USA frequently and am wondering if I can fly a pair of CB-5's home with me ... hard to resist at prices currently offered.

Thanks for the helpful info !

K

 

[Kinketsu]

I composed and thought I posted a response to this earlier today, but evidently I missed up and it didn't post.

That's not such a bad price, but don't keep them for that reason alone. I haven't heard those particular speakers, but Energy builds fine products. Did you do any listening and/or research before buying? If I were you, I'd listen to some different brands before making a final decision - preferably in direct comparison with the Energys Otherwise, you may be forever second-guessing yourself.

Price attracted my attention, admittedly... the motivation of my post was to try to figure out how to do the listening/research most effectively.

Another model you might want to try, which have a fantastic reputation, is the Infinity P363, which is on sale at Best Buy right now for Can$500/pair. They have a 30-day return policy, so you could pick up a pair and try them right beside the Energys. The matching centre is not on sale and goes for $300, but you don't have to buy it now - you could wait for that one to go on sale at some point.

I will do precisely that, thanks for the excellent pointer.

As for surrounds, what 's the budget? I don't think you need to stick with a particular make/model series, as they would be far enough apart that timbre matching isn't as big of an issue - IMHO.

For a subwoofer, again, what's your budget? If can do DIY, you can get a great subwoofer for a very reasonable amount.

I think I was getting ahead of myself on this part of the post. Probably best to approach this slowly.

I do have an older Athena Micra 6 system in another room and perhaps I'll try sticking the sub/satellites into the mix for fun.

K

 

[GO-NAD!]

I think I was getting ahead of myself on this part of the post. Probably best to approach this slowly.

Absolutely! No need to rush with this. Research and listening to different types of speakers will allow you to make your choices with a greater degree of confidence.

If you haven't already done this, I would also suggest reading up on the differences amongst monopoles, bi-poles and di-poles for surround puposes, so that you can see the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Same goes with subwoofers - read up on ported, sealed and passive radiator designs to determine what best suits your needs.

Then, come up with a realistic budget for each.

It's always more desirable to get it right the first time - which I've learned the hard way.