Opinions wanted...are these speakers worth the $$? Energy EF-500's-$130/pr shipped

[Meghan54]

The speakers in question:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/ef-500-overview/


Here's the thing.....I realize these speakers are not "real" Energy speakers, but at $130 for the pair shipped, they are enticing as I need something cheap to set up for a very small room for front speakers for TV/some music listening for my father-in-law.

Opinions on them? Pure junk or worth the $$?

 

[Dr. Zaus]

I would be careful about getting the best speaker I could afford for the center channel; Since it carries voice most of the time it'll be the most noticeable if it's off.

 

[dawp]

ya might want to ask that here: http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

http://store.audioholics.com/speakers.html

 

[Meghan54]

I would be careful about getting the best speaker I could afford for the center channel; Since it carries voice most of the time it'll be the most noticeable if it's off.

As I mentioned, they'd be used for an 82 y.o. to provide better sound/volume than the onboard TV speakers he's currently using. He'd be purely in stereo, no center.

ya might want to ask that here: http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Thanks, I'll post over there. Appreciate it.

http://store.audioholics.com/speakers.html

And while I appreciate the link, I don't think these Energy speakers would fare worse than anything comparably priced from them, like the low end Yamahas or Infinities or the like.

 

[gevorg]

At your price range, I would go with the best bookshelves I can afford, rather than full tower. I wouldn't call those Energy "junk" but you can do better with bookshelves, especially since you'll be using it in a small room. The best deals would be used speakers at Audiogon.com, but if you want new, checkout Polk speakers.

 

[gorb]

Yeah, those are rebranded entry level jamos...for $130/pr they would probably be okay, but the entire jamo s426 5.0 set has been as low as $200 I think.

 

[mshan]

Soundbar with volume remote?

I did quick search for soundbar and Amazon and found this highly rated one (yes, I realize it is $100 above the Energys, but then again these don't require an AVR): http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YAS-10...ef=sr_1_3?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1327014095&sr=1-3

 

[Gintaras]

When asking advice about speakers, I think, someone should begin with:
-What music do they listen...
-What sound do they like, in low and high frequencies: Do they like bass: "floor pounding" and "body feel" bass instead of listening bass - "softer bass"? High Frequencies? Soft? or screeching to your ears?

What kind of place you do live in? A big room? or a small? Alone or neighbors present?
Any wall coverings for acoustics?

What's go first to you? music or sound?

I think, there should be guidelines set for such questions/advices.

 

[SithSolo1]

Its for an 82 year old, it could be two tin cans for all he probably cares. Also long as its louder and clearer than tv speakers anything will do.

Something like this would work, you won't even need a receiver: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-650

Just get the appropriate audio adapter cable to connect the TV to the amp and speaker wire. Heck toss in stands too and still come out less than those Jamo/"Energy" speakers. Leave the amp at a set volume and ON and then control the volume with the TV.

Still can't believe they re-badged those as Energy.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

As I mentioned, they'd be used for an 82 y.o. to provide better sound/volume than the onboard TV speakers he's currently using. He'd be purely in stereo, no center.

Sorry, I didn't notice any of the boded from the OP... Maybe because these things where not stated in the OP...

now a review:
Best post award goes to:

When asking advice about speakers, I think, someone should begin with:
-What music do they listen...
-What sound do they like, in low and high frequencies: Do they like bass: "floor pounding" and "body feel" bass instead of listening bass - "softer bass"? High Frequencies? Soft? or screeching to your ears?

What kind of place you do live in? A big room? or a small? Alone or neighbors present?
Any wall coverings for acoustics?

What's go first to you? music or sound?

Right answer award goes to:

Its for an 82 year old, it could be two tin cans for all he probably cares. Also long as its louder and clearer than tv speakers anything will do.

And I win the asinine award for the 357th time (Oddly this is the exact number of threads in which I have posted but a neck-beard has not)

 

[alkemyst]

These speakers were around $160 prior to christmas.

I'd also look into the popular Polk Monitor 70's at the $300 price point. Those have options to easily build upon.

 

[mshan]

$100 shipped at Newegg right now: http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1164305/