Energy Take Classic 5.1 Speaker System Review

[admin]

The Take Classic system picks up where the Take 5 system left off, and adds aggressive (value) pricing that makes this system worthy of a closer look. I have had the Take Classic system set up in my Reference Theater for the past several weeks, and can tell you that if you are considering (gasp!) a Home Theater in a Box, stop right where you are and take time to read this review.

Discuss "Energy Take Classic 5.1 Speaker System Review" here. Read the article.

 

[3db]

Coming from the heels of the original Take5, it doesn't surprise me that Energy has another winner. Thanks for the review.

 

[Seth=L]

I some times wish I had a sub sat system with a modest receiver. They do look very nice.

 

[autoboy]

Well, now I know what to recommend to friends. Thanks for the review

 

[birdonthebeach]

Thanks guys. I really enjoyed this system, which is saying a lot since it is a sub/satellite. Hard to beat for the price....

 

[billy p]

Now you can only imagine what the RC'S & Veritas sound like. I wonder if an all Canadian shootout with PSB, Energy, Mirage & Paradigm will ever take place. I would also find an all British shoot out very compelling as well.

Excellent review and these little guy's do what IMO Energy speaker do very well and that is provide excellent mid range quality and overall sound. At least to my ears.

 

[DravidianKnight]

Room size for Energy Take Classic

I noticed that in most of your reviews of satellite speaker systems like this one and the EMP 5.1 system, you mention that they work well in small to medium size rooms. Is there a specific room size you consider "medium"?

My living room is 20' X 15' with 12' ceiling, and was wondering if the Energy Classic 5.1 system is suitable for that size?

Also, if I need to extend this to a 7.1 system, any recommendation for the additional 2 satellites? I realize that Energy doesn't sell these separately. Do I have to stick with their brand for the 2 satellites?

Thank you very much.

 

[birdonthebeach]

That's a pretty big room for a satellite system in my opinion - I would go with a more traditional speaker setup of a powered subwoofer and 5 or 7 voice matched speakers.

You do not HAVE to have the same brand speaker, but it is ideal to keep the speakers voice-matched, which usually is accomplished by purchasing speakers within the same line from a manufacturer.

For a room that size, I would consider (if your budget allows) looking at Axiom Audio, Aperion Audio, or AV123. All of these companies make a good product at decent prices. Start with a 5.1 system, and build on it. Maybe you can only afford to start out with a sub, center and 4 matched bookshelf speakers. Later when your budget allows, you can add 2 floorstanders from the same line, and move the front bookshelves to your rear center channels, etc.

Hope this helps. I am sure others will jump in with speaker suggestions on this...

 

[ronnie 1.8]

I'm putting together a budget av system for a friend of mine, $3,060 total cost, out the door. I chose the Energy Take Classic for his speakers ($380). I've already ordered and received all the cables he needs, including speaker cable and locking gold-plated banana plugs from Blue Jeans Cable.

The speakers are at my friend's home (2 hours away), and I have the cable and banana plugs (waiting on other hardware before the installation planned for next week). The speaker manual says these speakers use "mini 5-way binding posts". Has anyone used standard banana plugs on these speakers? Do "mini" 5-way binding posts accept standard banana plugs? I have a bit of a concern the opening on top of the binding posts may be too small to accept the banana plugs I have.

Also, there is maybe only 1" clearance above the posts, but from the jpg I have showing the back of these satellites, it seems the posts are angled 20-30 degrees down towards horizontal, allowing for easy access when using banana plugs. Can anyone confirm this?

Thank you.

 

[orestesdd]

Energy Take Classic 5.1

Does anyone if these new Energy speaker set accept banana plugs in its mini-binding posts?

 

[ronnie 1.8]

Does anyone if these new Energy speaker set accept banana plugs in its mini-binding posts?

Yes, they do. I setup a system with these speakers. The top red plastic plug can be difficul to get out, and on several of the speakers the slim post cover broke off, and I had to use an ice pick to push out the remainder of the protective plug, so be careful there.

Also, I used Blue Jeans Cable's banana plugs, and learned that if you tighten the collar too tight, it expands the tip of the plug, thus making it unnecessarily difficult to insert or remove. Lesson learned.

But yes, these speakers will accept bananas just fine.

 

[lchaleff]

How do these compare to tsat-1000-ht8 b?

Can you discuss a comparision against the tsat-1000-htb b?

Thanks

 

[lchaleff]

available at costco for $349.99

Just picked up a set of these speakers at costco for $349.99. Seemed to be a good deal for those that might have interest.

 

[SNOWDOGS]

I had a set of Energys in the past and for the size I was really pleased. Upgraded to some PSB Stratus Golds when they hit the market years back...but I was just at a Circuit City today during their going out of business sale and there was one take classic in the box left that caught my eye. Quick search for reviews on my phone, and it looked to be a decent buy at $300.00.
Can't wait to set it up in the master. I think I will be pretty pleased from what I read.

Was hard not to want to grab one of maybe five 50" 1080P Panasonic plasmas they had left. Man that place was empty. They did not have much of anything left at all. Next Saturday is the last day it looks like.

 

[ericlacivita]

well i just bought my energy take classic system at circuit city FOR ONLY 180!!! i ended buying the two remaining because it was such a great deal and ended up selling the second set on ebay for $290!!

Anyway i was wondering if anyone had a good recommendation for a reciever for this setup? I still need to get all the wiring and the reciever so any recommendations appreciated! thanks.

 

[ericlacivita]

maybe the recommended wires to use like speaker and stuff?

 

[HeatMizer]

I have the Yamaha RX-663 and have had the speakers close to a year now. They have really been great I listen to music and watch plenty of movies. If you got them at a CC close out price there is nothing that can compare to them and rival speakers that cost many times more.

 

[elitejic]

I'm a newbie and need some help. I narrowed it down to 6. Can I get your opinion in ranking these 1-6. If so that would be very helpful.

Polk RM705
Harmon Kardon HKTS
Klipsch HD300
Boston Acoustics XS 5.1
Def Tech Pro Cinema 60
Energy Take 5 Classic 5.1

Thanks.