jcparks

jcparks

Full Audioholic
Got my E5bi's and the matching center... it took a few weeks because I elected to wait on the Red Burl finish which was on back order (glad I did, they are beautiful).
Initial impressions...
So far I have been testing with music. I placed them about 4 feet apart at ear level, approximately 14 feet in front of my listening position, paired with my trusty infinity ps210 sub crossed over at 80hz. This is my first semi mid-fi purchase, and I am completely blown away. I finally feel I understand the terms like: "clarity", "warmth", "accuracy", and "sound stage" that I have so often read in various speaker reviews. They are just so clean. The only problem is, now I really want to buy their big brother towers and use them as rear surrounds... but dammit that is more money and there are so may other things I need to do to the house :p
Anyway thanks to everyone on the website for pointing me at them... for 225 dollars I couldn't be more satisfied.
I will give my impression on the center when I have watched more movies.
 
zieglj01

zieglj01

Audioholic Spartan
Is somebody trying to turn into an audiophile!
 
jcparks

jcparks

Full Audioholic
The TV stand is the next piece of furniture On the hit list to be replaced...
Regarding the audiophile comment... Mid-fi and controlled!! It can be an expensive hobby.
About to order some better quality cables though... ughh this might get bad.
 
agarwalro

agarwalro

Audioholic Ninja
That is awesome! A newly inducted Audioholic. Welcome to the family. The bad news is, upgraditis runs in the family and you've inherited it.

Forget upgrading the cables. That is the biggest fraud prepared on audiophiles.

Add a riser to the TV and make the center level with the bookshelves. This week go a long way on making the L-C-R aka. front stage seamless.

To really really make them shine and understand those terms , no scratch that, optimize the front stage and not impede the pair , put them on stands, about 1 ft. wider and at least 1 ft. from the wall with bay windows. If at all possible, get rid of the coffee table and use end tables.

Cheers mate.
 
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zieglj01

zieglj01

Audioholic Spartan
Regarding the audiophile comment... Mid-fi and controlled!! It can be an expensive hobby.
About to order some better quality cables though... ughh this might get bad.
No need to order fancy cables, it is a waste - the fancy cable will not transfigure/transform
the cable or network inside the speaker.

All you need is the proper awg/size to transfer the signal - be careful about drinking some
fancy audiophile kool-aid.
 
jcparks

jcparks

Full Audioholic
Thanks for the advice... I will keep an eye on craigslist for some attractive speaker stands, however this time next year that entire wall, windows and all, is going to be covered by a 4000 dollar wall entertainment unit. I will likely place the new book shelves on the side walls for use as surrounds, and I will purchase a pair of the E55ti towers which I will place in the front corners of the room. I know having them spread so far apart wont be ideal... unfortunately the boss wants the wall unit, and she is really hard to argue with... :)
 
afterlife2

afterlife2

Audioholic Warlord
Looks great. I actually like the setup, but yeah with stands you can do 5-8 feet away from the other speaker to get that nice wide soundstage. Love The Crowes, I've seen them live twice and Robinsons voice is always great. Enjoy!
 
jcparks

jcparks

Full Audioholic
Oh regarding the cables... I spent 20 dollars for 50ft of 14awg and a couple sets of banana plugs from monoprice... nothing fancy, just the old stuff is pretty bad.
 
zieglj01

zieglj01

Audioholic Spartan
Oh regarding the cables... I spent 20 dollars for 50ft of 14awg and a couple sets of banana plugs from monoprice... nothing fancy, just the old stuff is pretty bad.
OK - well done
 
jcparks

jcparks

Full Audioholic
Yeah the black crows sounded really good, Every instrument on that track was so clear and defined.
For the heavier side, I played some Pantera, and Avenged Sevenfold, both of which impressed me, but the sound stage durning Cemetery Gates really came alive.
However I was most impressed with vocal tracks on these speakers. They literally "sing". Seal, and Sarah McLachlan in particular. Those artist literally gave me goose bumps, I don't think I have ever gotten goose bumps from a pair of speakers...
 
charmerci

charmerci

Audioholic
You are now participating in the forums. Resistance is useless. The money will flow out of the bank account yearly as you get more and more....:rolleyes:

Welcome to the club!

Glad to hear you've got good sounds!
 
Ponzio

Ponzio

Audioholic Samurai
Thanks for the advice... I will keep an eye on craigslist for some attractive speaker stands, however this time next year that entire wall, windows and all, is going to be covered by a 4000 dollar wall entertainment unit. I will likely place the new book shelves on the side walls for use as surrounds, and I will purchase a pair of the E55ti towers which I will place in the front corners of the room. I know having them spread so far apart wont be ideal... unfortunately the boss wants the wall unit, and she is really hard to argue with... :)
I just purchased my 3rd pair of DR Pro 36" stands in maple (they also come in black) and I highly recommend them. Solid wood/steel construction with a thick sticky felt pad on the top shelf and they can also be further stabilized with sand/buckshot. The only knock on them is that they don't have a hidden speaker cable chase.
DR Pro Maple Wood Studio Monitor Stand (Pair) MAPLE | Musician's Friend
 
Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
The TV stand is the next piece of furniture On the hit list to be replaced...


Wow ... I looked at the pic's first and liked that stand a lot. The whole system really appeals to me because you haven't quite given in to the urge of making the tv and sound thing the main/central theme of the room. It still looks like that room might be about people ... but that will end soon.

In the future people shall be 'shushed'. :D
 
ousooner2

ousooner2

Full Audioholic
Heheh

EMP's midrange is pretty nice huh?! Wait until the Black Friday sale for EMP and jump on the e55's and e56. Trust me...you'll be happy! It's too bad they discontinued the e1010i (dual 10") sub as these things rock for the price. I can't even imagine what my pair/a pair would sound like in a smaller room.
 
jcparks

jcparks

Full Audioholic
Wow ... I looked at the pic's first and liked that stand a lot. The whole system really appeals to me because you haven't quite given in to the urge of making the tv and sound thing the main/central theme of the room. It still looks like that room might be about people ... but that will end soon.
It is actually a modified buffet cabinet that I picked up on craigslist for 25 dollars.. it does serve its purpose, but it will be replaced by this within the next year
leonardo_spacesaver_entertainment_wall_unit.jpg
That should be big enough to cover the windows and leave space enough on the sides for me to place the E55ti's in the corners of the room when I get them.
Personally I didn't want to get something that huge, but sweet wife was insistent... my only stipulation was we had to get something that completely covered the windows, because half covered windows look ghetto to me...
Afterlife2: you hit the nail on the head with those speakers price wise, but I will never get away with the look.
Ponzio: you hit the nail on the head as far as the look of those stands... and while they are on the pricey side, I may consider them, but only if i can talk my wife out of the wall unit, which I don't think will happen.
Ousooner2: i never though I would appreciate a midrange speaker as much as I do these, I thought I wanted a brighter speaker. The low price of these is what inspired me to take the chance, and really glad I did. Thanks for the heads up about black friday, I will be on that for sure.
-Chris
 
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afterlife2

afterlife2

Audioholic Warlord
Well i see you have a light under tv. A nice blue light or red light on occations for movie night. :) you can always try craigslist for some stands.
 

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