Unexpectedly good bass. Decent "transparency" when care is taken with placement, assoc. electronics.

Dynamically "polite" or lacking liveliness in the high bass through the midrange. Slight lack of detail in the midrange and upper bass.

I believe these are well worth their asking price of 600 US. There is a lot of good engineering to be found in these C2's. I really enjoy them at higher sound levels, but I find they lose some much-needed energy (sorry, no pun intended) at lower volumes which make then makes them seem uninvolving.

My amp is an Aragon 4004MKII and my preamp is the Melos MB 110A. The turntable is a self-designed and -fabricated unit based on a Thorens TD 160 Super platter/bearing/suspension and the arm is likewise created, similar to the Well Tempered Reference Arm (and the whole assembly works flawlessly and looks attractive). Fitted to the arm is a Sumiko Blue Point Special or a Grado Signature 8MZ. Unfortunately, my meager budget has failed to grab anything more exciting than a Sansui one-bit (MASH) CD player. Yes, moderately modified. However, much listening to the C2 has been done with a borrowed (modified) Marantz 63SE CD player.

The C2 can hold your attention with a pretty smooth, uncolored and transparent midrange and mid-treble. The fun can wear off if you don't use quality amplification. The problem can show up in the tweeter. It will start to take on the typical grainy, metallic stridency found in tweeters of its type, and will reveal the speaker's room location. But taking cost into the equation, this is a small matter. In my case, I have found that inserting a 1 to 1.3 ohm resister in series with the tweeter will bring the level of overall coherency up a bit, and allows the tweeter to sing along better with the woofer.

The midbass to lower bass is where I was impressed, given the C2's cost. I believe it's tough to top this quality of bass in this price range. The midbass is relatively punchy, depending on the program source, and is quick enough to enjoy fast rock drumming and full-tilt jazz. I must mention here that my room is a finished concrete-block foundation basement of dimensions 25 ft x 33 ft, and is somewhat underdamped.

I big problem I have with the C2 is in the quality of the cabinet. Yes, the finish is attractive, and the speaker can compliment many room decors. However, I'm talking about the amount of "speaker talk" coming from the sides, back, and (especially) top of the cabinet. A good friend has purchased a pair of C2's and fabricated all new heavily braced and -damped cabinets for the drivers. He's turned the speakers into some serious high-end competitors.

Another niggling problem I had was a buzzing from one of the cabinets. I discovered two things were making noise. The first was a loosening tweeter and no gasket material to isolate the tweeter from the baffle (thus causing a buzzing sound). I have since learned the manufacturer now includes a gasket. The second item was more alarming. The woofer surround was separating from the cone and allowing air to escape between the cone and surround. This action caused a buzzing noise also, much like a reed. The adhesive had failed. (It was not a case of no adhesive. The glue was clearly present). I took it upon myself to make the necessary repair using a very small amount of 100 percent silicon adhesive. (If you attempt this, take extreme care not to use too much; a bead of 1/16 inch is all it takes.)

I must caution you on another issue. The speakers are designed to be stand mounted and away from the (from the speaker's perspective) rear wall. This arrangement puts the speakers at risk of being toppled from human traffic. You guessed it. Mine took a fall. The tweeter mounting method inside the cabinet is via two threaded posts which accept the tweeter and the tweeter is secured by tightening down two thumb screws. Problem is, a fall from the recommended speaker height will break the tweeter frame (the area of the tweeter which slips over the threaded post) and also the post becomes knocked out of the baffle. I was able to bond the post back into place by using a high-strength two-part epoxy.

Though I consider this a design flaw, I still recommend the speakers based on great customer service (they do work with you at Audio Products International), a well thought-out design with an appropriate balance of compromises, and a very good value.

For me, they have provided hours of enjoyment, but it's time to find a more harmonically natural midrange and richer soundstage presentation. The C2 is nice, but there is a lack of that certain quality which tells the brain "relax and forget the sound -- just listen to the music." Ultimately, for me, the C2 sounds like high fidelity and not enough like real instruments in real space. I'm leaning toward the Maggies.

Similar Products Used:

Too many to mention. Direct comparisons with B&W DM602, Monitor Audio (? model), PSB Mini, Paradigm 20, Audio Physics Step

Well this is the same review for the Energy c2, but it won't let you post there. I have listened to countless speakers in my pursuit of the ideal bookshelf speaker. The ones I narrowed my choices down to was Paradigm Monitor 20, Polk rt55, and the Energy c2. Since the Polk RT55's are in the same price range its better to compare. Although the Polk's have two 6.5 inch woofers and the c2 only has one, the c2 has a lot more bass. The rt55's have a strange sound that after a little while one gets sick of listening to them. One never tires of listening to the c2's. A prominent feature of the c2's there is the 2 sets of gold binding posts. The black gloss finish is very nice too. The speaker has a "black mirror" effect to it. Enough about cosmetics. The c2's sound amazing.. They reproduce the greatest amount of detail than any other speaker in the price range, there is enough bass for any music. If you really like a lot of bass then you should probably get a subwoofer. The C2 is the best made speaker I have seen. There is literally no flaw in the entire speaker. The Aluminum tweeter and Aluminum fleck/polyurethane woofer are great. This is the best bookshelf speaker you can get, it was worth every dollar.. I got it brand new with no flaws from Barrets theater in the Chicago-land area for $437.

I have had c-2's for about 4 month and absolutely love them. Icomped them to tannoy m2,mordant-short($1000)boston 950,960,and various more expensive speakers.the c-2 has a neutral mid, good tight bass,(not the lowest but very satasfying ) and a treble thats not to harsh,(no i'm not a technical guy)just right in my ears. I have an energy es-8 sub for the missing bottom end running off the bypass outputs of an adcom 555 II pre-amp using the c-2's full range and the sub cutoff at 70 hz+-, the rest is adcom gfa 5400,sonyxa3es CD,yamaha tner,connected with kimber pbj & 4vs. If you have $700-1000 to spend i highly recomend the c-2's with or without a sub.5 stars.

You know the routine, visit 5 different stores in order to audition the 5 different speakers you're interested in. Seems like no one store carries enough brands to make a direct A/B comparison, and even if they do they're using different amps to drive the speakers and in a controlled listening environment. When you get home will they sound the same? Bottom line is if you're happy with your purchase when you get it setup at home. Got to tell you I'm extremely happy with my C-2's. They're clear, accurate and blend the music around the room beautifully. The cabinets are extremely attractive and the bi-wiring, gold plated posts are very well built. Can't imagine getting more for the money.
Was origionally going to go with the Paradigm Mini's but the local dealer wouldn't budge on the price and put me off for a month to even get a pair.
He did me a favor, the C-2's are more substancial for very little difference in money.
Got a great deal from Marc at Audoshop.ca and would highly recommend giving him an e-mail when the time comes. It's easy to give the C-2's and Marc,
5 speakers!

THE ENERGY C-2. MY FIRST REAL SPEAKER. IT IS GOOD. I STILL HAVE THEM AS ABEADROOM SPEAKER. WHEN PLACED DEEP INTO THE ROOM THEY GIVE A HUGE AND DETAILED
SOUNDSTAGE. HOWEVER, THAT METEL TWEETER CAN BE TIRESOME. AND THE OVERALL
LEVEL OF REFINEMENT AND INVOLMENT IS NO MATCH FOR MORE EXPENSIVE DESIGNS
(PROAC,SPENDOR ETC. DUHHHHHH!!!) BUT FOR THE MONEY WHAT THE.....

Clean highs and mids, decent bass extension, well-built and nice finish ... great all-round speaker

but... (see below)

Here's the connundrum. The C-2s are great speakers. I listened to them in several dealers' rooms with my own CDs and was very impressed by their clean sound and remarkable bass extension (for a bookshelf speaker). I decided to put off buying the C-2s until after Christmas; but on a drive home last week, I stopped in at Eastview where I found the C-2s in high-gloss black at a great price ($630 Canadian, taxes included). I snapped them up.

Curious thing happened at home though: listening to them made my ears immediately feel like they were plugging up. After a few minutes it becomes painful. This happens even at low-to-moderate levels! I do have a mild case of tinnitus, but I have never experienced this sensation with any other speaker. I tried biwiring, different amps and a brief "burn-in" (playing them at normal levels for 12-hours straight on two successive days ... probably not enough?). The problem persists.

I had my sister and several friends listen to the speakers, but they experienced nothing! "Great sound." Hmm.

So, while I can hear incredible details in my CDs, I am plagued by this irritation. Can anyone offer any explanation or tips? (beyond being crazy!)

In the meantime, the speakers are for sale! A week old, as of this writing, with original packaging & store receipt, and 5-year manufacturers warranty. I'd like to recover my cost and prefer to sell to someone in Toronto in order to avoid the shipping hassles.

If you can offer any assistance with the irritation problem or if you're interested in buying, please email.

If not for the strange ear effect, I would've given the C-2s a full five stars.

Similar Products Used:

Energy e:XL-16,25,26 and Paradigm Mini Monitor & Minitor 3

Crystal clear highs, excellent midrange. Beautiful finish.

Bass.

Just got these about 2 weeks ago, and these are some truly amazing speakers. Very high quality for the price, and far superior to the Exl line, in my opinion. As many have noted before, these are bright speakers. They work very well for both music and home theater, but a sub is almost mandatory. With a good sub, the effect is awesome. I'm using an AC 300 for a center, and my Exl 16's for surround. I'd recommend this setup to anyone, especially at the price I paid. $499 canadian for the C-2's, or about $330 US. Get ahold of Bruce Abar (see his post below) and he'll get you in touch with a dealer in Canada.

Similar Products Used:

Exl 16, Infinity's, Polk Audio.

I was sold on the Pardign Monitor 3's because I though the B&W's were to bright. On the way to pick them up I walked into one more A/V store. The salesman auditioned the C-2's for me and I was blown away. I could not believe the depth of these book shelf speakers. They cost me an additional $150 but it was well worth it. The C-2's are a must audition for anyone in the book shelf speaker market.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 602, Paradign Monitor 3

Attempting to enter the "premium" speaker market, Energy has created theConnoisseur line of speakers. Just as Acura is to Honda, the Connoisseur line
represents Energy's most refined and well-engineered speakers. The C-2 is
the smallest and least expensive speaker in the line, although it shares many of
its components with its larger siblings. This compact bookshelf speaker
features a 6-1/2" injection moulded aluminium/polypropylene woofer mounted
in the centre of its moulded plastic face. Directly above it is a 1" aluminium
dome tweeter, while below the woofer is a medium-sized port. A sturdy set of
binding post occupy the rear. The frequency response is rated at 40Hz-25kHz
+/- 3dB, maximum power at 130 watts, and its anechoic sensitivity at 88dB.

These speakers must be mounted on stands to sound best, and were done so
during listening. Because the port is on the front of the speaker, placement
close to the wall is acceptable. During listening, the speakers were set at least
2 feet from any surrounding walls and were toed in slightly.

The level of engineering that went into these speakers is clearly evident during
listening. They have a remarkably smooth sound over the entire frequency
range, and lack any sort of unwanted peaks. Bass is simply incredible for such
a small woofer, extending into the 40Hz range when called for, yet it remains
very tight and well controlled. There is no boominess, even when placed close
to the wall, and will render the dynamic impact of any source with authority.
The midrange is exceptionally smooth, yet it retains every subtle detail in
vocals and reed instruments. The natural quality of the midrange is something
that other speakers cannot achieve at 3 times the cost. The only "problem"
with the speaker is one which may not bother some people at all: the treble
can sound a little subdued and soft compare with the rest of the speaker. It still
conveys all the detail that your amp can give it, just without the sparkle that
some other speakers can. Nonetheless, imaging and depth are excellent, giving
a very realistic quality to large orchestral pieces.

These speakers are suited to virtually any type of music. Jazz lovers will finds
it's smooth midrange to be intoxicating, while fans of rock and pop will love it's
dynamic impact and deep bass. For home theatre applications, the smooth
treble will take the edge off of most VHS hi-fi and laserdisc movies. For true
bass, a good subwoofer should be added, but a small apartment system won't
need it. All in all, this is an excellent speaker that will fit into any system,
without breaking the bank. A definite audition if you're looking for a small
speaker.

I did get a chance to listen to the C2. The sound is very pristine. It is one of the recommended speakers in Stereophile's RC list. However, I prefer the B&W line myself.

These speakers can be had for $448 at Audiotronic (formerly Wackid Radio). One of the stores is still open. Not only that but they will actually let you audition these speakers at home whereas the AudioShop on Bank will not. Also, the AudioShop sells them for $50 more at $499 a pair.

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM302, B&W 601 s2