Wanted to let folks interested in purchasing this center channel speaker that you CANNOT go wrong on this speaker! Especially for $200.00. Great imaging, clarity and depth for a center channel that is somewhat smalle rthan some I have auditioned. GOOD PICK!!

This product is a steal! Can be had at retail for $200 or on the net for as low as $150, there is no better bargain. I auditioned Klipsch, JBL, Cerwin Vega, Bose, and a couple of other brands of center speakers in the $150-$300 range. They were all driven from the same amplifier at the same setting. There was no competition. Sure you could go for a $500 or higher center channel, but for the budget price range, this is a no-brainer. Highly recommended, especially when matched with an Energy e:XL-S10 subwoofer and C-6 Mains. The front soundstage is seamless and clear, with awesome bass and loudness without getting boomy or distorted. My system outperforms many of the local small theaters in my city! 5 stars for performance at this price point!

Produces very clean, clear dialogue at a great price.

Sound very bright until properly broken in.

Originally I was going to purchase the famous Energy Take 5 system for home theater use and after much research decided to go with 4-e:XL 16's an e:XL C and the e:XL 10 sub.
The Enargy's seemed a bit bright for the first month but once they were broken in - WOW! I'm sure there are better speakers out there but for the price they really surprised me. FYI - I upgraded from the Infinity Studio Monitor series. The amount of detail and the clarity that comes from these speakers is unbelievable. I actually hear things in movies that I never did before.. thanks to the e:XL C.

Great deals on Energy can be found at www.audioshop.on.ca.
Great prices and fast service...

Similar Products Used:

Energy e:Xl 16

Warmth, clarity, appearance.

Range (if that's an issue, it isn't for my center), Energy logo.

This is the first center channell that I've purchased, having sampled friends' and the tinny Bose satellites on my Dad's system. I have to say this is a fine center channel. It's much better than the generic centers that are always in mass market stores. It sounded awesome in the speciality hi-fi shop, and extremely great even in my house, which lack the sound traps etc of the shop. The speaker brings warmth, depth, and resonance to movies and movie soundtracks. It has a wonderful range, and accomplishes depth and field all by itself, even without satellites and mains. Obviously you mainly want it if you already own Energy or Mirage speakers, but if you, or if you just want a superior center, it's great. I run:

Yamaha 795 A/V receiver
Energy eXL 25s - main speakers
Energy eXLc - center channel
Infinity bookshelves (old) as rear surrounds
No sub yet
Toshiba 1600 DVD
AudioQuest Type 4 speaker wire to mains and center
2M Monster Coaxial digital audio interconnect to receiver

Similar Products Used:

Bose satellite centers.

I have the Energy Center and think it sounds pretty good. except it doesnt match to well with my B&W 602's. Doesnt sound as dynamic. probably some others that are better for a little more?

Nice small size, sounds clean and clear.

has is limits.. and can be reached very easily. Made for small to mid sized rooms only.

I bought this XL-C1 about a year ago after trying out several different ones in the stereo store. I bought this Energy center channel speaker because it was the best deal. Sure other more expensive speakers are better or more powerful, but for the price this is a nice speaker for a small room. I have a small living room.. and this speaker fits in just right. It even matched pretty close with my 10 yr old KLH towers. Not perfectly of course.. but close enough.

I purposefully waited a few weeks to let my e:XL-C Center break in (my e:XL-26 fronts were dealer demos which had already been broken in).
These speakers were a real pleasant surprise.

Out of the box, the center channel was a little bit "pinched" -- almost a nasal quality. But knowing that the dealer's e:XL-C sounded better, I let the speakers run in for about 100 hours. They have really started to open up.

These speakers are extremely good. You never strain to hear voices, even at low volumes. They make a very good center channel. The transition from left to center to right and back is very smooth ... the center is well mated with the e:XL-26 fronts.

Partial equipment list:
Sony DVP-S7700 (coaxial digital, s-video)
Sony STR-DA555ES
e:XL-26 fronts
e:XL-15 rears
e:XL-C center

-Al

Picked up a set of e:xl 26s, e:xl 16s, and an e:xl C this past weekend. I spent a lot of time researching these babies, and almost passed on them due to thenegative reviews I've seen here of the e:xl series. All I can say is, I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to buy them. They sound absolutely wonderful right out of the box, and if they sound even better after a break in period (as some have suggested) then I can't wait. 5 stars for a smooth sound, killer looks, and a great price.

Price, Soundstage, Good Accuracy

none for price

System:
Yamaha 795a a/v receiver
Energy eXL-26 Main
Energy eXL-16 Surround

Price I paid for eXL-C: $180 US

The speaker took a little getting used to. I had been using my mains as a virtual center, so that's what my ears were used to. After a little break-in time, the center sounds great: the accuracy seems to be improving, and the bass is decent given the size of the woofers/box. At this price, you can't ask for too much more. I couldn't justify the extra $150 for the eXL-C2: a little more bass and watts. Plus, the C2 is BIG!

Matched with my Energy system of speakers, the center does well. This being my first center speaker, I now realize it's importance. In my opinion, this speaker would be bare minimum for a decent home theater. I'm looking forward to some good action movies to put this guy to the ultimate test. So far it's passing with flying colors.

The speaker seems to be well shielded; the TV seems unaffected by its presence.

Similar Products Used:

none (my first center)

Bought a XL-C and XL-R bi-pols to match my XL-26's. Everything is powered by a Denon AVR-2700. Great setup. The Denon gives out 80 watts x5 channels. The XL-C was a little bright when I first got it, but so were the XL-26's so i wasn't worried. Both have smoothed out considerably after some use. The XL-C has great dispersion with it's baffeled tweater (convexed to throw down from the top of your TV). This helps to make the center sound consistent no matter where the listener is seated. The XL-C acts as a good anchor for dialogue on the TV image without sounding too small. This could have something to do with the great channel separation of the AVR-2700.
Couldn't be happier. The center even fit under the shelf above my TV!