Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Energy Loudspeakers RC-10 Speakers by jonbee

Model:	RC-10
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$550
Description:	2 way standmount
Manufacturer URL:	Energy Loudspeakers
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on October 25, 2006 at 19:46:48
IP Address: 24.19.38.53

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Energy is a Canadian company that has made good name of itself over the years with the top line Veritas series, but has also had a devoted following in the next level down Connoissuer series. This series has been replaced by the Reference Connoisseur series, which uses a metal dome tweeter, and carbon fiber cones.
Soundstage wrote a rave review of the RC-10 recently, claiming it totally outpointed the earlier Connoisseur line, and summed the RC-10 up as moving the goalposts in the under $1k class, at half that price.
Always on the lookout for giant killers in my office system, I ran across a pair at a great price and took the plunge.
In short, here's what you get in this small (13 in. high) speaker. Most obvious is the real wood veneer; the "rosewood" I got is simply stunning to look at. If you like the looks of the Dynaudios or Totems, the fit and finish on these will fit the bill. These exude quality in the looks department. I've long since sworn off vinyl clad speakers, as I don't find the pride of ownership factor I look for, but the RC-10 are top notch in the finish department, and at the lowest price I can think of for this level of cabinetry (except the Onix speakers, perhaps). At around 12 lbs, though, they don't match up in cabinet heft. There are also nice touches like magnetically attached grills and hefty biwiring terminals.
The sound is simply wonderful- the highs are detailed and airy, without a trace of edge. The mids are uncolored, clean, and superbly natural. The whole is very well integrated and joyfully musical. You can listen to these little guys all day without fatigue, or feeling that you're missing much musical content. The bass is uncolored, well defined, and very punchy to around 50 hz. They will also play amazingly loudly without strain for such a small speaker.
So what won't they do? My faves among the more expensive standmounts that I've owned, such as Revel M20, MA GR10, Onix Ref1, Silverline SR11, and Merlin TSM-M, all offer an expanded soundstage, with more space between instruments; the Merlins and Silverlines in particular are champs at that. All but the Silverlines will also play deeper bass. The RC-10s offer an essentially accurate depiction of the instruments, but the image is packed more tightly around the speakers themselves. So you do get more when you spend (a lot) more, but the RC-10s are the cheapest speakers I've run across that are essentially accurate and musically satisfying from top to bottom, with great cabinets to boot. The best under $1k? I don't know about that, but quite possibly the best for half that price. In any case, these are definitely keepers, and will become my office sound.

Product Weakness: Won't throw an enlarged soundstage like the good high priced offerings, and are bass limited to around 50-55 hz.; still more than you would expect from a 5+ inch woofer in a small cabinet.
Product Strengths: Clean, smooth, and musical with excellent detail. Low coloration, will play loudly. Beautiful to look at.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	see my systems
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	see my systems
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	see my systems
Speakers:	see review
Cables/Interconnects:	see my systems
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 10 x 8
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Won't throw an enlarged soundstage like the good high priced offerings, and are bass limited to around 50-55 hz.; still more than you would expect from a 5+ inch woofer in a small cabinet.
Product Strengths:	Clean, smooth, and musical with excellent detail. Low coloration, will play loudly. Beautiful to look at.