Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Energy Loudspeakers C-1 Speakers by james22

Model:	C-1
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$250
Description:	Compact 2-way bookshelf
Manufacturer URL:	Energy Loudspeakers
Model Picture:	View

Review by james22 ( A ) on November 17, 2003 at 13:51:07
IP Address: 65.95.29.65

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for the C-1

These are an amazing pair of little speakers. I paid CDN$320+tax new from my local store (they have good prices).
There is absolutely nothing to fault with the sound at this price. From the bottom up - in my mid-sized bedroom about 2 feet from walls, the bass response is admirably tight and deep for a speaker this size. The front port allows close placing to walls / corners without sounding boomy. They are very smooth with a touch of warmth in the mids, and the metal tweeters provide surprisingly smooth highs that are never abrasive (though not the last word in extension, but pretty respectable). I would describe the sound as very balanced and neutral, if leaning slightly on the warm side of neutral.
I currently have them on sand-filled Target stands that cost almost as much as the speakers themselves, driven by an Integre DT, and I don't feel the urge to upgrade the Energys. Previously I had a much more sensible Cambridge A540 driving them quite succesfully, but with the Integre, the Energys show that they are capable of amazing neutrality, balance, detail and soundstaging. The YBA also quickened/tightened things up a little, adding more focus to the sound.
I think the C-1's should be at the top of the audition list for anyone looking for budget monitors and who are commonly recommended entry-level Axioms, NHTs, B&Ws, Missions, and the like. They are very easy to drive compared to NHTs and even B&Ws so they are likely to sound better when driven by reasonbly priced amps which don't have 100wpc and weigh 50 pounds. I know that (at the dealer's) the Cambridge A540 certainly did a much better job at bringing out the bass and detail on the Energy C-1's than on some NHT's (SuperOnes, or the new S1 series). Used with lesser sources, the Energys are also more forgiving and won't fatigue you over time.
Fit an finish are very nice, especially the light maple veneer (also available in black); though not everyone might agree with the silver front baffles. The magnetic grills (available in black or silver) are a great idea, they come off and re-attach simply and quickly. There is only one set of binding posts so bi-wiring is not possible, but the posts provided are of pretty good quality. On the whole, very highly recommended!

Product Weakness: A little lacking in 'bite' in the highs if you like that. Some people call it harshness :)
Product Strengths: See above

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Integre DT, Cambridge A540
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	YBA CD-3, Panasonic discman, Apple iPod, Arcam 5 tuner
Speakers:	Energy C-1's
Cables/Interconnects:	Van den Hul Skyline
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	A little lacking in 'bite' in the highs if you like that. Some people call it harshness :)
Product Strengths:	See above