Price Paid:  $639.00 from acousticsounddesign.

Summary:
Recently purchased the Energy Take 5.2 from www.acousticsounddesign.com (they were great to deal with - would recommend.) They are terrific little speakers. The sound is crisp and rather full for such small speakers. I would recommend them to anyone with a small to moderately sized room.

Strengths:
Crisp clean sound.

Weaknesses:
A little fuller on the mid range in two-channel, but again these speakers are designed for video use with sub.

Similar Products Used:
Optimus, Ohm, Klipsch

Price Paid:  $300.00 from NOW Audio Video

Summary:
I bought the EFX's for a Pro Logic setup. Because of the hassle of changing to new speakers, I kept them when I went to Dolby Digital. I am still very happy with the overall sound. I prefer the diffuse dipole configuration for surrounds. They lack strong bass response and the high frequency response is skewed in the on-axis measurement because of the speaker configuration. The tweeters are mounted on panels that aim 45 degrees in front of and behind the listening position, which improves the ambiance, but diminishes the perceived high frequency response. I don't have a receiver which can play 5 channel stereo, but I would probably not recommend the EFXs for such a setup. They sound great with movies, particularly since most movies don't use the surrounds too much. Even The Matrix sounds incredible with the EFXs. Overall, a good speaker and an excellent value.

Strengths:
Build quality, sound, power handling ability.

Weaknesses:
Lack of bass and upper high end frequency response. A little wide for some settings.

Summary:
I've used these speakers for a couple of years already and have been happy with them. I tested out monopole speakers in their place, and I see the attraction of monopoles for effects in Dolby Digital and DTS. Still, I prefer the more enveloping, less localizing sound of dipole with 5.1 movies (at least until a 3rd rear channel comes into use), and I believe dipoles are much better for Dolby Pro Logic. Anyway, these speakers are solidly built and really create a room-filling, movie-theater-like feel. Unfortunately, they are no longer made, but I'm sure the new Energy dipole model will also sound excellent.