FS: Energy RC-30 speakers for $499

[g0lden0rchard]

I bought the $4,000 Energy system a month ago (but I got it for $3,500) when it was on sale at FS
The Energy RC-70 sound so good a buddy of mine wants some now but he can't afford them so he is getting the RC-30s

I am thinking of getting these for my rear speakers?

$499 sounds hot

Review
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENRC30

I just wish they had a mid instead of two woofers



HifiOverstock.com has them for $385 each
http://www.hifioverstock.biz/product...oducts_id=8220

[ProfessorChaos]

might not want to click that second link...

http://safebrowsing.clients.google.c...oducts_id=8220

Also the Energy RC-50's are $999 if you are looking for more power

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0106517&catid=

[sportmiester]

Also the Energy RC-50's are $999 if you are looking for more power

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0106517&catid=

Are the 50s significantly better than the 30s? (i.e. double the price better?)

[Jon Lai]

How did you get the $499 price?
It's $699 online:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...79&catid=19171

[Formula1]

How did you get the $499 price?
It's $699 online:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...79&catid=19171

It's from this thread:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=604384

FS Canada Day sale.

[coolcoolfi]

Nice speakers, just I don't like the color

[g0lden0rchard]

The colour is quite nice - I am SICK of everything being either black or silver

Rosenut adds warmth

[txenglan]

I have an old pair (as in 1989-old) of Paradigm 7SE's that have have been and still are absolutely brilliant as my main fronts. Though I have auditioned other speakers in the $1000 range and have never found any that I thought were superior to the Paradigms, I am seriously considering ordering a set of these Energy speakers to try them out with the 7's side by side. Very curious/excited.

[doodio]

I have an old pair (as in 1989-old) of Paradigm 7SE's that have have been and still are absolutely brilliant as my main fronts. Though I have auditioned other speakers in the $1000 range and have never found any that I thought were superior to the Paradigms, I am seriously considering ordering a set of these Energy speakers to try them out with the 7's side by side. Very curious/excited.

Please let me know how that turns out! I would love to know how energy stacks up to Paradigm. I've always considered the later to be the best brand around.

[ProfessorChaos]

I've always considered the later to be the best brand around.

Wow. I'm not sure where you live but even Paradigm's Signature series is not "the best."

Energy and the whole API brand make very quality speakers at a very very affordable price, ever since manufacturing has moved to China (along with every other company except Paradigm, at least Canadian companies) and they started selling them at FS.

It's like comparing Paradigm Monitor 7v5's to Energy RC-30's, quite similar sound signature but the bass extension on the Monitors is better, is that worth the extra ~$300? You be the judge. Make sure the power source is the same.

I find people who are self-proclaimed audiophiles do not value money as much as RFDers do (hence the McIntosh $10k amps)

[txenglan]

Please let me know how that turns out! I would love to know how energy stacks up to Paradigm. I've always considered the later to be the best brand around.

Will do, if I actually end up ordering them. My whole set up is all Paradigm (Titans on the rear and PS1000 for the sub) except for the center channel which is a Polk CS250).

[zenzen]

The colour is quite nice - I am SICK of everything being either black or silver

Rosenut adds warmth

I have them in Cherry. Real wood veneer (as opposed to vinyl). The cabinetry is as good as any speaker I have seen, including Totem.

I was also afraid that Energy quality wood go downhill as soon as production shifted to China. I have owned the Connaisseur C2s and C6s from the late 90s and the Veritas 2.1 from about 6 years ago, all built in Canada. The RC-30 is better to my ears and about as well made as those models. Can't say anything about post-Klipsch Energy.

I'm thinking about picking up another pair. In the meantime, I keep posting in FS RC-30-related threads to emphasize how hot this deal is. These are built to last and nothing compares at 500/pair (new).

About the RC-70 / RC-50 question above, the real consideration is room size. The RC-30 have the same "family sound" as their bigger brothers, but are just about perfect in by 11'x13' room. The bigger speakers would be a waste in such a room. Took me a while to realize how important the room is...

[RHui_BC]

Wow. I'm not sure where you live but even Paradigm's Signature series is not "the best."

Energy and the whole API brand make very quality speakers at a very very affordable price, ever since manufacturing has moved to China (along with every other company except Paradigm, at least Canadian companies) and they started selling them at FS.

It's like comparing Paradigm Monitor 7v5's to Energy RC-30's, quite similar sound signature but the bass extension on the Monitors is better, is that worth the extra ~$300? You be the judge. Make sure the power source is the same.

I find people who are self-proclaimed audiophiles do not value money as much as RFDers do (hence the McIntosh $10k amps)

To me the only good deals from futureshop are when they sell below the staff price. :P

Anyhow, is there a such thing as a budget audiophile? :P

I've gone through so many speakers, and there are many bad speakers... but there are also MANY good speakers and decent speakers...

with that said... the skies the limit... whether your ears can tell the difference well, its a hobby Have fun with it!

[ShopperfiendTO]

Audionoob here. Can anyone suggest an ideal set up (which fronts/sides, rears, sub, centre, etc.) incorporating the best deals that FS has right now on the Energy speakers?

Say the room is mid-size (around 13' x 15'), which I assume means that 5.1 (i.e., 2 fronts, 2 rears, 1 centre, 1 sub?) is the best way to go?

I currently have a pair of older B&W 200 series that I inherited that I'm happy with. Will these Energys be significantly better? Main uses would be for movies and non-rock/non-heavy metal music. Not looking to blow the windows out, but would like to hear all the noises that were intended to be heard!

Thanks so much.

[warpdrive]

Audionoob here. Can anyone suggest an ideal set up (which fronts/sides, rears, sub, centre, etc.) incorporating the best deals that FS has right now on the Energy speakers?

I'd suggest going with the RC30's + SVS sub (www.sonicboomaudio.com) personally. Add RC10 for the rear or another pair of RC30, and a RC-LCR for the center. Unfortunately there are no deals on the matching RC-LCR, and the RC10. You *could* get away with the C500's as the rears and that would be workable, but you want the RC-LCR for the center for the best matching to the RC-30

I'd suggest you go for the RC30 over the C500 that's also on sale because the RC series is just a step above, and this is not something that gets obsolete and needs to be replaced. You can enjoy the RC30 for a decade or two.

As for whether the Energy's would be better, I'd say yes, but you should make that final determination. (return under FS's return policy if you don't find them all that better)