I purchased a pair of Energy C-8 speakers three weeks ago from A&B Sound. The speakers sound great and the black gloss finish is beautiful. The service I got from Len Gerling at A&B Sounds was excellent. Thanks Bruce Abar and other readers for recommending Len. It would be hard (maybe impossible) to find any speakers for the same or twice the price that sound better than the C-8. Highly recommended. Give Len a call and you won't be dispointed.

Everyone loves the C-8's, I must remind everyone not to call Len Gerling, but to email me instead on info. The C-8's are now 8 months old, and sound excellent. I Have not notice any breakin improvements. I have change to better connectors, and wire, with this I notice an improvement! The C-8's will take anything you give them, from an high powered ampt, to a basic a/v, great idea to purchase and know you can keep them for any upgrades you make. I can go from my Yamaha 995 to a $3000 ampt, and the c-8's would only sound better.

Anyone who is interested in the connoisseur series speakers can email, I can connect you to a Canadian supplyer for mail order shipments to the USA.

I bought the C8's last month after auditioning speakers almost daily for the previous 3 weeks. I wanted a musical speaker that I could also use for home theater in my rather large (24X20) den. I also purchased the AC300 center and the RVSS surrounds to complete the system. (No sub yet, and I am not sure I will want one.) I will limit this reveiew to the C8's only. I compared them to at least 10 other speakers including Paradigm Reference, NHT 2.5, B&W 603, Def Tech BP2002, PSB Stratus Silver and others. IMO these speakers sounded the best overall. The highs are crisp and very clear, the midrange seems smooth and focused to me. The bass is incredible, tight and refined not boomy at all. The soundstage is also superb. I new very little about the Energy line when I initially set out to purchase new speakers( I was intending to buy either the Paradigms or the B&W's) but now I can honestly say that IMO these are the best speakers you can buy for under 2000.00. They are probably worth twice their listed price. The fact that you can usually pick them up at a discount makes them an extremely good value. I urge you to audition the C8's if you are in the market for speakers in the 1200.00 - 2000.00 range. BTW the finish and build quality is also excellent.

clear highs, nice drivers.

little too heavy on the bass for my taste and there is some snap missing

I think this whole Bruce Abar guy is really BRUCE MORRIS an audio salesperson from A&B Sound... he only raves about speakers that A&B sound carries, and he's a very aggressive salesperson, i've fallen to his pitch myself.

I REGRET SPENDING THE MONEY ON THESE SPEAKERS. I shouldve bought the monitor 9's I like them better.

Ive got to give them a 4 star value rating because I think they are the right price, they are getting a 4 overall because they are not an exceptional product in my ears; however, they are pretty good none the less. I will make due.0

Similar Products Used:

mission 774, paradigm monitor 9, energy exl-25, jamo (dont know the jamo model #)

I heard these speakers and it first they sounded very good. But after listening to several other speakers: Definitive Tech and B&W to name a few, I really feel these are one of the best sounding speakers I have ever heard. They could really stand up well against speakers for twice the price. The sound stage is what sold me. The imaging is just so great I could literally pick out where the performers were standing on the "stage". Sound is very clear and realistic, and also very consistant in all three ranges, treble, mid, and bass. With a little luck and some $$ these babies will be mine!! YOU MUST HEAR THESE SPEAKERS!!

I was able to use these as loaners while waiting for my energy APS5+2speakers to come in. In reference to one of the above commentaries on the
polks , my RT-20 towers were extremely limited in their midrange power handling
The C8's were connected to my CITATION 7.1 and they had great bass
extension,excellent rms power handling. I believe they are an extremely prudent
purchase to anyone considering them.

These are incredible speakers. From the finish to the sound, I cannot be any happier. I sold my piece of crap Celestion Impact 40's and a subwoofer to buy the C8's, but the bass perfomance is much better. I am not an audiophile but I have to say they sound soooo 'right'. Got 'em for $1550CDN including 15% tax. Before deciding on these, I listened to the Paradigm Studio 60 and 80 and also the Boston Acoustics VR960. The Paradigms were equal in mid and highs but not as great bass extension. The VR960 had good bass extension (built in 70W subs) but the highs were kinda screwed up. Plus I hated the all-cloth grill finish except for the top piece. I am driving them with a Carver TFM-35x and the power meter barely moves at normal listening levels. I still haven't cranked them up anywhere close to max... parents at home :)

What can I say, I owned the energys ex:25's, the sound was excellent. Back at A&B sound where I purchased them, I listen to the Connoisseur Series C-8, boy, what a difference in bass and sound stage. The C-series has been out for while now, a proven product from all audio mags. The classy gloss black with gray fronts(with covers off) was attractive as much as the sound that came out of them. never the less at $1100.00 can. I had to bring these home, they did match my AC300 center. Now they are in my famaily room, with the covers off(no small kids) playing notes I never heard before, Way to go Energy!!!!!

As with most of the higher end Energy speakers, the C-8's offer exceptional imaging and detail. The C-8's are probably most appropriate for larger listening rooms (mine is about 20' x 22' with high ceilings) where they can be placed away from back and side walls. These are somewhat inefficient in relative terms. As such, I would recommend they be used with a decent, higher powered amp. Overall, an extremely good bargain. Not quite as good as my old Reference 22's, but a very good performer nevertheless.