Replacing Energy towers with what bookshelves

[Sheep]

Why were they so fatiguing? Could it be they were underpowered by a reciever amp as opposed to a dedicated amp? Does the who;e RTI line use silk? Any differences between silk tweeters from different manufacturers?

I've heard Polk RTi's numerous times, and every time I wanted to rip my ears off. They're just awful IMO.

Energy Uses aluminum domes. My speakers fair on the brighter side, but I just tone it down using the tone controls. My room is far less them optimal, and no doubt a big problem in that regard. I don't recall them sounding like this at the store, most likely room issues.

The RC series is more controlled them my series for sure, the C series is actually alright. I have the C-50s for rears that sounded pleasant to me. However, I would look into silk domes first. Aluminum domes take some engineering to become smooth, as does most hard dome tweeters IMO.

Looking forward to your findings.
SheepStar

 

[Davemcc]

Davemcc....I'm having the hardest time finding any online store that sells them....could you help?

I'm not sure they have much of an online presence, but here is their dealer locator.
http://www.signalpathint.com/index.php?option=com_locator&Itemid=43

If you can't find a store near to you, here is the email address for David Solomon, one of the owners. davids@signalpathint.com I'm sure that he will make whatever arrangements you need to get your audition.

 

[annunaki]

I would check into these as an option as well.

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd650.html

They are a very high quality speaker. The B&W 685 would be on my short list too.

 

[zumbo]

Why were they so fatiguing?

Only you know what you like.

Could it be they were underpowered by a reciever amp as opposed to a dedicated amp?

I doubt it. If you didn't like them, you just didn't like them.

Does the who;e RTI line use silk? Any differences between silk tweeters from different manufacturers?

This is a great question. Every manufacturers tweeters sound different. Your towers are aluminum. Are they harsh to you?
My Quarts are titanium, and they are certainly not harsh to me. Detailed perfection is how I would put it.
The B&W's I linked are aluminum. I would classify any B&W tweeter as perfection as well.
The Polks are silk. You don't like them. Sheep don't like them. And, they are certainly not my top pick. But, they did have all of the features you were looking for. Port, price, silk dome, and finish.
I feel certain that if you like your Energy tweeters, and you liked MB Quart tweeters in car audio, silk may not be your preference.

 

[zumbo]

I would check into these as an option as well.

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd650.html

They are a very high quality speaker. The B&W 685 would be on my short list too.

WOW! Those are some killer looking speakers.

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/bd650-bookshelf-speaker.html

Look at the specs for that speaker. Heck, it breaks the budget, but I say the search is over.

1" liquid cooled silk dome tweeter with neodymium magnet
4" polypropylene midrange with butyl surround and die cast phase plug
6.5" polypropylene woofer with butyl surround and die cast basket
Frequency Response: 36 - 20 kHz (+/- 3 dB)
Crossover Frequencies: 500 Hz & 4 kHz
Recommended Amplifier Power: 15 - 200 Watts RMS per channel
Operative Power Range: 15 - 200 Watts, 300 Watts Peak
Sensitivity: 90 dB @ 1 Watt / 1 Meter (2.83 Volts Pink Noise)
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
Dimensions: 7 7/8" Wide x 15 5/8" High x 14 1/8" Deep (with Grille)
Finish: High Gloss Piano Black
Weight: 21 lbs. each

Matching center. I can't find the port information for this center, but with a +/-3dB limit of 55Hz, I would guess it is not ported at all. It uses two of the same drivers that are in the bookshelf model, so that is how I come to my assumption.
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/bd600-center-channel-speaker.html

 

[billy p]

I would check into these as an option as well.

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd650.html

They are a very high quality speaker. The B&W 685 would be on my short list too.

I recall in the midst of researching speaker reviews on the web, I stumbled upon AH. There was a speaker shootout that I recall in which the Pinnacle Gold had won and I think Gene did the review. Since that time I've become a AH member and there hasn't been nor have I heard any mentioned of them at all, untill today! What happened and it's good to see them back or they where never gone to begin with?

PS: I like the new name changes. I think the new one suits me better.

 

[annunaki]

Pinnacle has always been around. They are a smaller family owned company in New York I believe. They make some really nice stuff.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I listened to a few bookshelves today.
Polk RTi3
PolkRTi6
Energy RC-10
B&W 685
B&W 600-S3
Revel M12

The clear winner for my ears were the 685's. The RC-10's and the Revel M12's about equal for next(with different pros/cons), then the 600-S3's, then the RTi6's and then the RTi3's

 

[zumbo]

I listened to a few bookshelves today.
Polk RTi3
PolkRTi6
Energy RC-10
B&W 685
B&W 600-S3
Revel M12

The clear winner for my ears were the 685's. The RC-10's and the Revel M12's about equal for next(with different pros/cons), then the 600-S3's, then the RTi6's and then the RTi3's

Strange. You like the old model Polk better than the new ones?

I see this point is moot, but I would like to know why you listed the old model Polk first?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

The new line of "RV'?, was not at my local store, only the RTi's and Monitors.

 

[zumbo]

The new line of "RV'?, was not at my local store, only the RTi's and Monitors.

I have not heard of "RV".

The RTi A3 is the replacement for the RTi6.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

That's it the "RTi-A" line. My tweeter only had the older RTi line.
My local hi-fi doesn't carry Polk and CC only has the Monitors, so I didn't bother.

 

[zumbo]

That's it the "RTi-A" line. My tweeter only had the older RTi line.
My local hi-fi doesn't carry Polk and CC only has the Monitors, so I didn't bother.

I see. When you listed RTi3, that is the model I thought you were refering too.

So, you gonna go for the 685's, or give Pinnacle a shot?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

That was round 1.
I found another Hi-fi store about a 50 minute drive from me that carries Era Design, PSB, and not sure what else.
I'm just now looking into the Pinnacles. They look fantastic.
I was still hoping for reccomendations on companies that pay for return shipping with an in-home trial for more listening.

 

[zumbo]

That was round 1.
I found another Hi-fi store about a 50 minute drive from me that carries Era Design, PSB, and not sure what else.
I'm just now looking into the Pinnacles. They look fantastic.
I was still hoping for reccomendations on companies that pay for return shipping with an in-home trial for more listening.

Well, shipping is free to your house. Wild West is great to deal with. They may work with you on return shipping, or not. Couldn't hurt to call and see. Heck, with the price of gas, return shipping may not be that bad.

I honestly don't think any of the ID brands that offer return shipping can touch B&W.

 

[billy p]

That was round 1.
I found another Hi-fi store about a 50 minute drive from me that carries Era Design, PSB, and not sure what else.
I'm just now looking into the Pinnacles. They look fantastic.
I was still hoping for reccomendations on companies that pay for return shipping with an in-home trial for more listening.

you can try these out at no cost to you!! http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/Aperion-Audio-Products,4.aspx

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Thanks billy....have seen the brands' name before, I'll look into them this evening.

 

[ZoFo]

3 Energy RC-LCR's sound Very nice

I have that for my Master Bedroom setup and it's very nice, have two sets of Energy's and love that brand! These speakers are rear-ported but come with Port Plugs if you are installing them in a closed area or very close to a wall.

Another good LCR setup for you would be 3 of the AV123 Reference 100 Center Channels that are on sale now for under $400, it's not the right color but those Vifa Tweaters are awsome!

 

[Sheep]

I listened to a few bookshelves today.
Polk RTi3
PolkRTi6
Energy RC-10
B&W 685
B&W 600-S3
Revel M12

The clear winner for my ears were the 685's. The RC-10's and the Revel M12's about equal for next(with different pros/cons), then the 600-S3's, then the RTi6's and then the RTi3's

Glad to hear your results. I guess the next step is to start comparing more speakers to the 685's. Could you go into more detail about what each speaker did right/wrong? Could be good information for others looking. Also, what is the price of each?

SheepStar

 

[zildjian]

B&W 685 bookshelves are $300 each.