Introduction The Connoisseur C5 is the smallest floor-standing speaker in the seven-speaker lineup that makes up the new Energy Connoisseur line. The Connoisseur series utilizes much of the technology pioneered in Energy’s flagship Veritas speaker line. The Connoisseur C5 retails for $750, with the remainder of the line value priced as well. As a basis for comparison, the similarly configured and appointed B&W CM4, to which the C5 bears a striking resemblance, retails for twice the price. The five-speaker offerings in the Connoisseur line come in either Black Ash or Canadian Maple finishes over an MDF (medium density fiberboard) enclosure. I found the Canadian Maple finish of my review sample to be gorgeous and better-looking than darn near any other speaker in this price range. The C5 cabinet is 36 inches high, 7.75 inches wide and 15.5 inches deep. The front of the speaker bears a strong resemblance to the recently-reviewed B&W CM4 with its ...

Introduction There are some of us who want to get into a happening home theater system but don’t have a lot of disposable dinero. There are some of us who don’t have physical space for six speakers due to room size and marital limitations. And there are some of us who don’t want to clutter our rooms with gigantic speakers and subwoofers, yet desire the dynamic sound you get with bigger equipment. Energy has come up with a very compelling product that will fit these types of situations with their Take 5.2 5.1 loudspeaker system ($900). The Take 5.2 system replaces the venerable four-year-old Take 5 system and therefore has some pretty big shoes to fill. There are a few fairly significant changes on the new version. The 2.2 satellites and the 1.2 center channel are slightly larger and are front-ported instead of a sealed design. The one-inch dome tweeter is also larger than ...

Introduction At $1,399, the 502D home theater system may prove to have the guts not only to break into the crowded market of bookshelf style speakers, but the technology to bust it wide open. The 502D system includes four 502D-LR satellite speakers, which house a five-inch magnetically-shielded woofer/midrange and a one-inch magnetically-shielded soft dome tweeter. The 502D-C center channel enclosure has basically the same configuration as the 502D-LRs, but its spade lug connectors are mounted to facilitate center channel horizontal placement. Each speaker component has been designed by Vifa, a Denmark-based company that has the reputation for producing high-quality and well-crafted components. To reduce resonance, these enclosures are constructed of solid plank hardwood, as opposed to veneer wrapped MDG particle board. These speakers also contain internal bracing and acoustic damping material to eliminate high-frequency reflection. They measure 11 inches high by six inches wide by six inches deep. For the bottom end, the 502D system includes the SW-12/320 long-throw ...

Introduction The EgglestonWorks Rosa, some may say, is the little brother to the now famous Andra. It is quite similar in design and execution with the major difference being in the driver complement and crossover points. The Rosa relies on the same excellent Esotar tweeter from Dynaudio and uses 4, 6 inch drivers positioned in a vented vertical array. The footprint is deeper than it is narrow and the front baffle has a natural slope to aid in imaging. The enclosure itself is an exercise on how speaker enclosures should be built with rigidity beyond belief and serious internal bracing. The exterior finish is one of absolute beauty with black lacquer covering the front, trapezoidal top and rear of the enclosure, while beveled, polished slabs of black Italian granite adorns the sides of each speaker. The entire ensemble, weighs the $9,900 a pair Rosa's, in at a hefty 210 pounds each. The Sound I spent ...

Introduction The Evett and Shaw Elan ($2,200) with the matching Flatte 50 amplifier ($2,000) is the first system on the market dedicate to high performance sound for your desktop environment. Most audio/video enthusiasts spend far more time at work then they do in the sweet spot of their high performance audio/video systems at home. With the tremendous success of MP3 audio and the proliferation of CD-ROM and DVD drives in personal computers, we are automatically outfitted with a front end for music to empower us in our personal workspaces. The Evett and Shaw Elan The Evett and Shaw Elan is the best-sounding, truly small, nearfield loudspeaker I have heard to date. When I say truly small, I mean these suckers are tiny at 10 inches tall by five inches wide and 11 inches deep. The Evett and Shaw Elans create sound through a 3.25-inch-wide, full- range speaker driver. A second driver that is slightly larger is installed ...