Ok, here's the thing. Many people told me to take a look at the NHT SuperOnes before buying anything of similar price. I decided that would be a good idea since so many reviews at this website are positive in regard to the SuperOnes. I went to a local hi-fi store and was able to actually hear the e:XL:16's compared to the NHT SuperOnes! I brought a few of my own CDs, including an Ella Fitzgerald, Enya, the Cranberries, Frank Sinatra, and finally, the Armageddon soundtrack (lots of various music). I spent a good hour making back and forth comparisons between the two sets of speakers (both were driven by a Rotel amp with an Harmon/Kardon CD-player; I'm not sure of the models of either brand). It was apparent that both speakers had very good sound for their size and cost. Per pair, the Energy's were about $60 less. In addition, I felt the Energy's had a more bold-sounding high-end, which I like. They also went slightly deeper in bass, another plus. The final thing I noticed was the NHT's sounded somewhat thin in comparison to the e:XL:16's. Not that the SuperOnes aren't good speakers; I happen to think they are quite good for their price and size. However, after some critical listening, my ears finally shouted, "ENERGY!" My eyes agreed with my ears, since the Energy's have more attractive cabinets.
I liked the NHT's, but I loved the Energy's. I would say for overall sound, the Energy's are four-star because of somewhat limited bass, but their price (I got them for $249.99/pr), I haven't heard better.

Very clean, tight bass, overall warm sound

Lacks punch, but what do you expect out of a bookshelf?

I love these speakers. It does lack punch in the low end of the spectrum, but I think that's asking a little too much out of a bookshelf. The highs did tend to be a little bright, but after extended listening the speakers have really warmed up. I'm still debating whether these will serve as my mains or rears in my HT setup (depends on budget and GF). Currently waiting for my eXL:S10 to get in. With a nice sub to match up with these, you can't beat the performance with anything in this price range. Overall I was blown away by these speakers. A big thank you goes out to our Canadian friends for making such a wonderful speaker.

For years I used to spend every free nickel on my audio system. Overtime, tax refunds, whatever. Music was my entertainment passion, leaving little room for anything else financially. Then, about 5-6 years ago when I felt I had everything I wanted in audio, My free finances went towards computers. Recently I looked and listened to my current setup and found I was bored with it. I also realized I had not had my ear to the sound industry's ground during my cyber stint. Some research was in order, especially since my budget was now being gnawed on by house payments and the like.
After combing the Web and audio magazines for four months, I kept getting pointed back to Energy. I read no bad or mediocre reviews on Energy, (Except the occaisional wildcard in a newsgroup or forum type setting with your who-knows). Unlike their competitors; PSB, Paradigm, M&K, Klipsch, and many others, not one professional or semi-professional reviewer would knock anything from Energy. In fact, all reviews were very good. PSB did run a close second though.

I am on a very tight schedule during the day (audio shop hours), and have very little time to shop, so this was my only way of narrowing my choices, which came to PSB and Energy. If there were another speaker out there that was better for the price, I figured it would only be marginal at this point, and my research indicated I would not be going down a path of regret. Turns out I could not listen to PSB, since there is not a dealer on my side of town. So I went and listened to Energy and Paradigm. I could not afford the Paradigms, but I needed to compare them to something. The Paradigm's were very impressive (I listened to a few of the models, both larger and smaller than the XL-16's), very clean, good detail, very detailed bass and smooth clear highs. Yes, I liked them, but they were reference, and not do-able with my finances. I was a little sad, but excited at what had happened in speaker technology in the last 5 years.

The new speakers were to replace my old faithful Infinity SM150's, which have grown too large for my lifestyle, and I no longer wanted to give them the room or visual dominance they required. Besides, my interest in music had faded over the last two years, I think I was fatigued with them as well.

During my listening to Energy last month (next paragraph), I ran across the Energy ES12XL subwoofer on sale for $200 off, so I nabbed it. Without room for the Infinitys and the sub, I got a pair of Phase Technology bookshelf speakers (1 year old), from the garage to set up with the new house shaker. Not having set up a sub before, I started at levels too high for comfort. (My Fiancee made a sour face and dashed upstairs during this. Later I found out the bass was so high she couldn't breathe and felt claustrophobic; as if the bass was in her face). Afterwards, I got a decent level and crossover point. The Phase Tech's really needed a sub.

While at the store where I stumbled across the sub, I listened to Energy's offerings in small speakers for under $300/pr. The Take 2's really lack midrange and detail compared to what I was used to, but are great for people who want a Bose type setup but with good sound and less expense. The XL-15's were much better, but I could hear their low end reaching to meet the sub's high end. I could tell by my fiancee's face that she still thought the Infinitys sounded better, but I couldn't admit defeat. We then tried the XL-16's. I was redeemed. They were excellent. The bass was punchy and clear, the highs were crisper and more detailed than I was used to, and the soundstage opened up. Keep in mind that the XL-15 uses a different tweeter than the rest of the e:XL line, it's not aluminum. The aluminum dome tweeter sang the highs with the detail of a live performance.

I was sitting in front of the band. The highs had more edge than the Paradigms did, but when I closed my eyes I realized that the drumstick against the high hat and the final high brassy note of a freewheeling trumpet player's solo was what live sounded like when I was out seeing a good local band where the instruments are in front of you, not piped over a PA.

With that, I took home my new sub, and plotted selling my speakers at home to finance the XL-16's. A month later I ordered them from Audio Excellence in NYC for $225 + S&H. (Found out later that Uncle's had them for a little less). I set them up yesterday. With my Yamaha DSP-A1000 amp and Sony 605ES CD player and the ES12XL sub. These put those Phase Tech's to shame, and made my SM150's sound old and muddy. The music was as smooth as a silk cloud. closing my eyes made the speakers instantly dissapear. The detail was so good, I visualized the musicians as they played, the gutarists' hands sliding on the strings, the breathe on the woodwinds, the drummers fine detail to his percussion. I could point to each and every instrument, sometimes to the left or right of the speaker placement and always below, above, in front, or behind them, but never seeming to originate from them. I have heard all the same sounds before, but for the first time they didn't sound recorded, or more importantly, sound like they were coming from a speaker. I am again looking forward to sessions of just sitting and listening to my favorite artists.

The bass on these is also fantastic. I was trying to adjust the Subwoofer's output with the Amplifier remote, but found it had little effect, except for a little boost at the highest setting. Finally in frustration, I turned it down to Mute. Turns out that those little XL-16's were pumping out all that bass. With these being more effecient than the Phase Tech's I was just using, they were effectively several db louder than the Sub. In my excitement, I never reset the level on the sub to match the XL-16's; I could only get the very bottom end with the amp's sub out set to max. Of course, the sub is now set properly, but it does little to fill anything but the very bottom of the spectrum and back up the punch of these little music pumpers.

If you are in an apartment, get these. If you're in a house, get them with a sub. They are wall mountable, but use speaker stands. Anyway you can, audition these before making any speaker buying decision.

I'll be picking up the XL-R's and a XL-C soon; all timber matched to the XL-16's by design.

Excellent Clartity and "Musical Truth." Accurate recreation of the sound fields.

None for its Size/Price/Performance ratio

After considering every possible configuration of home theater and music speaker systems (NHT, Paradigm, Polk and Boston), I finally decided upon the Energy Exl 16s. A much fuller sound than the 15s with tremendous clarity in upper and mid registers and excellent fullness in the bass when combined with an appropriate sub. Every bit as good as the NHT Superone's at less than the Superzero's price. Marc Hallum at audioshop.on.ca in Canada provided excellent pricing and flawless customer service.... anyone who pays Goodguys prices for these is just throwing good $ out the window.

I combined 4 Exl-16s (Front and Surrounds)
an EXL-C-2
and an Exl-8 Sub

Similar Products Used:

NHT SuperOne and Superzero; Paradigm Mini and Micromonitors; Polk and Boston Acoustic