Energy Speaker Systems e:XL 26 Floorstanding Speakers Reviews

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I conducted a review 2 years ago. I stated previsously I did not want to comment on the sound quality. The reason being, work-in period and acheiving the optimal set-up was not appropriate at the time. Over years I have learned positioning the speakers are so important it can seriously impact how warm the speakers sound as well as the imaging. Room size is another factor. My space is 8x10m room and these speakers are definitely designed for a bigger room. You can only turn them so loud before the sound starts reflecting off the wall. Source is another factor consider in sound quality. I have listend to a lot of CDs and I'm starting to realize a lot pop and rock etc. lack sound quality. Many of them sound flat and lack detail. Take a well recoreded instrumental CD like John Williams and Boston Pops Orchestra and you will notice fantastic imaging and superb detail in Nancy Wilson's vocals. Then again it was recorded in 20 bit and downmixed to 16 bit. Ever wonder why expensive Home theater stores usually play instrumental CDs to audition there sound system for a stereo set-up. The recordings are so much better. Owning a Onkyo 595 reciever and using the above CD as a reference. I have to admit these pair of speakers sound really warm, detailing is superb, imaging is life-like, bass is tight, however, highs are still bright at times. Overall, I am very satisfied. Personally, I still believe the best stereo sound set-up is a HK reicever and B&W speakers. But very expensive.

Strengths:
Low sensitivity making it easy to drive, 94 DB. Very warm with proper set-up. Very tight bass. Well defined mids. Nice highs most of the time.

Weaknesses:
Highs can be overwhelming at times.

Similar Products Used:
Listened to too many

Price Paid:  $800.00 from Canadian Sound

Summary:
I'm not going to pretend to be an "audiophile" because I'm not, but i know what sounds nice and these speakers do period. Very clear and detailed awsome in stereo mode and dts. You hear everything. The better the equipment the better they sound. Current setup Integra 5.1 reciever Integra dpc 5.2 dvd exl-26 mains exl-16 rears c-2 center and cheap yahama sub (will be upgrading, 26's have deeper bass) Close your eyes and listen, these things are beautiful.

Strengths:
Great soundstage, tight bass, good highs and play what you throw at them without blinking

Weaknesses:
none at this price

Similar Products Used:
mission, athena, klipsch

Price Paid:  $675.00 from Local HiFi store

Summary:
Good looking and great sounding speaker. High is sharp, Bass is tight (with appropriate speaker cable). It gets a little too bright sometimes, but it could be because of recordings or other equipmetns. Or .75" is too small for tweeter (most speakers including newer Energy's use 1"). I used to own various Bose speakers, including 901, but even smaller e:xl-16 sounds so much more musical and enjoyable than 901. I compared this e:xl-26 to smaller 25s, and I thought 26's to be much more open sounding and I recommend anyone to opt for 26's. Related equipment: Nakamichi AV-7 reciever Toshiba SD-2200 DVD Audioquest type4+ biwire

Strengths:
clear high, tight and deep bass, great imaging

Weaknesses:
it gets a little too bright, finishig could have been better (there was a glue visible on the back of the speaker that I cut out)

Similar Products Used:
various bose and other mass-merchant speakers

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Soundstage

Summary:
These speakers are by far the best sounding speakers for the money. The highs are crystal clear, the lows are quite respectable for a 6.5" driver. The 26's are also very efficient at 94dB's. However the break in period is quite long for these speakers which might explain such a low rating. They are great for good old fashioned 2 channel analog stereo,as well as multi channel digital. I have my e:XL 26's matched with the e:XL C2 centre channel and e:XL R di/bi-pole rears.

Strengths:
Cheap and accurate rivals speakers from B&W and Paradigm that are double the price.

Weaknesses:
They sound so accurate that they make you notice any and all in perfections on a recording

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm monitor, Paradigm Studio, B&W 600 series, Energy Vertias, Mission, PSB,

Price Paid:  $450.00 from GOOD GUYS

Summary:
you can shop until you drop.. DEAD and spend 750.00 per speaker from any other manufacter and you wont get dallor for dallor your moneys worth.energy did a nice job.the most important thing to remember is to buy the highest quality product with in your buget&match all produts.here is a list of my complete system.that i would not give up.i have 2600.00 invested new and could spend 5000.00 and not have a better sounding platform.exl.26 fronts,exl.c2 center channel,exl.12"sub-up front,s10.2 rear sub,exl.r-diboles on walls,exl.16 rear center channel.,yamaha rxv 3000 amp. to tell the truth this system KICK,S

Strengths:
CLARITY IMAGING,SEPERATION

Weaknesses:
CONSUMERS TRYING TO CUT CORNERS NONE

Similar Products Used:
PARADIGYM