Quickie review on Energy C-3

[steveinaz]

Just a quickie on these as they're hooked up to mediocre equipment to begin with, out on my patio. (a Yamaha HT receiver (model ??), and a Tosh 3950 as a source). Rigged with cheap IC's and 14awg run-of-the-mill multi-strand copper.

I'm really impressed with the C-3. Many times when you listen to the bookshelf version of a tower speaker (I have C-9's in my main system), what you hear is very different---not so much with the C-3. Sure, you don't have the room energizing bass, but the midrange and treble, and overall tonality is very close. I'd love to hook them up to the main system, but I'm just too damn lazy---I have a feeling they would really shine in that scenario.

The C-3's have a surprising amount of lower bass, and sound really cool when they "growl" for lack of a better word. They don't have the "hooty" sound sometimes associated with bookshelves that are attempting to reproduce bass they simply can't do, it's well controlled yet fairly deep. They handle high input easily without sounding compressed or edgy. Like the C-9, treble is a bit laid back--smooth, yet extended. Also like the C-9, they have alot of, well....."foundation." What I mean is, they have a drive and punch to them that really draws you in; especially with jazz and progressive rock. They remind me of Polk Monitor 10's in that regard.

I'm impressed.

[pearsall001]

You're dead on about the C-3. I have a local Energy dealer & I was very impressed with the whole line (C1, C3, C5, C7, C9) hell I liked them so much I bought the C7's. I had them for 2yrs then the upgrade bug hit. They are still sounding real good in my buddies house.

[marker]

I believe Danny Tse has a pair of these as well if memory serves.

[Danny Tse]

I believe Danny Tse has a pair of these as well if memory serves.

Yes, I still have them. However, they are used in a small den and the bass output is more than enough for the space. When I was auditioning the C-3, I A/B-ed them against the Bronze B2 from Monitor Audio, which sounded very nice as well. It was the quickness of the C-3's bass that caught my ears. I don't have an audiophile amp, but I'd think the C-3 will readily respond to better amplification.

[F1nut]

Thanks for sharing your impressions, Steve.

[marker]

When they and the matching stands were being blown out by Audio Advisor for like $300 together, that was a fantastic deal.

[steveinaz]

When they and the matching stands were being blown out by Audio Advisor for like $300 together, that was a fantastic deal.

Absolutely. I think the C-3 can run admirably with anything this side of a grand in the bookshelf world. After more extended listening last night, I'm really wanting to put them in the main system just to see their true capabilities. If they can sound this good on a used $45 receiver, and used $20 DVD player as a source, I'll bet they'll soar in a solid seperates system.

[Danny Tse]

Absolutely. I think the C-3 can run admirably with anything this side of a grand in the bookshelf world. After more extended listening last night, I'm really wanting to put them in the main system just to see their true capabilities. If they can sound this good on a used $45 receiver, and used $20 DVD player as a source, I'll bet they'll soar in a solid seperates system.

If you can find the C-1, it's also excellent. Small enough to be a pair of ultra-high quality monitor for a computer-based system.

[cstpeter]

I just received a pair of the Energy C-3 for my office system ($150 off Audiogon). Running them off a cheap KLH receiver and old Sony CD player. What great speakers! I'm very impressed, especially for the price. Haven't had a chance to really give 'em a go yet, but I will after everyone leaves today. Seeing what these little guys can do, I'd really like to hear the C-9 with a nice system.

[cstpeter]

Man, are these some of the best budget speakers available? I'm giving 'em a go with some Steely Dan, and even with cheap electronics the're very impressive. Anyone looking for budget speaks, look no further!