substance-p Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I am not sure if this is the best subforum for this question (ths system will not be for home theater but rather for the family room). We are replacing an 40 inch 4:3 HD TV that currently had a Polk Surroundbar sitting on top of it with a PSW-111 sub with an up to date smaller TV (still 40 inches, but only an inch and a half deep instead of 28 inches []). Anyway, we are going with a small stand and I have decided to sell the surroundbar to a buddy who can't swing a new system right now and have received the go ahead to buy a small 3.1 setup (but it has to fit in the shelf on the new TV stand...accept for the sub obviously). So I have it narrowed down to the Energy Micro system http://www.crutchfield.com/p_732RCMIC/Energy-RC-Micro-5-1.html?tp=184 and the Mirage MX 5.1 http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/501154958/mirage-mx-5-1?s_c=site_search I see the sub as being better with the MX setup but I am not sure how the omnipolar will sound in a shelf and I don't know about the look of the three of them in close proximity to one another...plus it is more $ than the Energy (but Vann's is throwing in a new receiver with the MXs that I can sell to my buddy real cheap) I prefer the aesthetic of the Energy micro (having a center channel that looks shorter and longer relative to the L and R speaker) and I prefer the price to the Mirage. Does anyone have first hand experience with either of these systems or suggestions for one over the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted September 17, 2010 Moderators Share Posted September 17, 2010 It would probably be best to call Klipsch tech or someone at klipsch? and ask how they compare, Klipsch owns both companies. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share Posted September 18, 2010 Thanks for the suggestion dtel. It is based in part on my great experience with Klipsch products over the years that I am looking at these two systems and because of Klipsch's ownership of them that I am posting here...hoping that some other klipsch fans have tried these out at some point. I contacted an acquaintance who works for Klipsch and he indicated that he liked the sound of the Enegry line but that the sub included with the MX bundle was fantastic. It is not cost effective to piece together the Mirage sub with the the Energy RC-Micro speakers due tot he cost break associated with the bundles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Does anyone have first hand experience with either of these systems or suggestions for one over the other? No personal experience with either setup and I am also not trying to confuse you anymore, but here is an awesome setup(in silver though) that will probably smoke the doors off of the Energy or the Mirage(IMO). http://austin.craigslist.org/ele/1940890658.html (no affiliation with this ad) You could keep all or sell the pieces not used. I have this setup(except RW-10d) in my bedroom now but was my main system in my family room before the RF-63's. Great detail and surprising dynamics for a smallish setup. The RSX-5's and one RVX-42 plus sub would be a great suggestion for 3.1. Any of the combinations will work great. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share Posted September 18, 2010 Thanks for the link-I will have to see if I can track down the sizes on each speaker to see if it would work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Thanks for the link-I will have to see if I can track down the sizes on each speaker to see if it would work No need, here they are. RSX-4 Specifications FREQUENCY RESPONSE 92Hz-20kHz (+-)3dB POWER HANDLING 50 w continuous (200 w peak) SENSITIVITY 90dB @ 2.83V / 1 meter NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms compatible CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 2300 Hz TWEETER One 1" (2.54cm) titanium dome compression driver WOOFER One 4" (10.16cm) Cerametallic® cone ENCLOSURE MATERIAL ABS, cast aluminum baffle and base ENCLOSURE TYPE Bass reflex via rear-firing port INPUT CONNECTIONS One set of binding post speaker terminals DIMENSIONS 10.25" (26cm) x 5.5" (14cm) x 7.5" (19.1cm) MOUNTING Base swivels 360(o) for on-wall mounting via keyholes WEIGHT 4.5 lbs. (2kg) FINISHES Black BUILT FROM 2003 BUILT UNTIL 2009 RSX-5 Specifications FREQUENCY RESPONSE 92Hz-20kHz (+-)3dB POWER HANDLING 75 w continuous (300 w peak) SENSITIVITY 93dB @ 2.83V / 1 meter NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms compatible CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 2000 Hz TWEETER One 1" (2.54cm) titanium dome compression driver WOOFER One 5.25" (13.34cm) Cerametallic® cone ENCLOSURE MATERIAL ABS, cast aluminum baffle and base ENCLOSURE TYPE Bass reflex via rear-firing port INPUT CONNECTIONS One set of binding post speaker terminals DIMENSIONS 12.5" (31.8cm) x 6.5" (16.5cm) x 9" (22.9cm) MOUNTING Base swivels 360(o) for on-wall mounting via keyholes WEIGHT 7 lbs. (2.7kg) FINISHES Black BUILT FROM 2003 BUILT UNTIL 2009 RVX-42 Specifications FREQUENCY RESPONSE 92-20kHz(+-)3dB POWER HANDLING 75 w max continuous (300 w peak) SENSITIVITY 94dB @ 2.83 volts / 1m NOMINAL IMPEDANCE 8 ohms compatible CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 2175Hz TWEETER 1" (2.5cm) Titanium dome compression driver HIGH FREQUENCY HORN Integral round 90(o) Tractrix® Horn WOOFER Two 4" (10.2cm) Cerametallic cone, magnetically shielded ENCLOSURE MATERIAL Extruded aluminum, ABS baffle ENCLOSURE TYPE Bass reflex via dual side-firing ports INPUT CONNECTIONS One set of binding post speaker terminals DIMENSIONS 24" (61cm) H x 5.75" (14.6cm) W x 4.5" (11.4cm) D (vertical without pedestal base) MOUNTING Pedestal base for horizontal or vertical use / three keyholes / two 3/8"-16 threaded inserts WEIGHT 14 lbs. (6.4kg) FEATURES Bass compensation switch for on-wall / off-wall placement FINISHES Black BUILT FROM 2004 BUILT UNTIL 2009 Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share Posted September 18, 2010 Thanks Bill. A local store actually has a demo set of RX-3s in as a 5.0 for 350. I am going to try to swing by and hear them. The Magnolia BB has the Mirage MX 5.1 setup and I am going to demo those as well. I have heard the RC-Micros before....but that was a year ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 I have heard the Energy speakers. Quite Good - to my ears. CNET has an excellent review and really likes them. http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/energy-rc-micro-5/4505-7868_7-33260627.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Here is a comparison of the Brands, Plus the Energy Take 5 system............ http://reviews.cnet.com/4504-4_7-0.html?id=33260627&id=33310963&id=33270773&tag=compare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted September 18, 2010 Moderators Share Posted September 18, 2010 Years ago I wanted the Take 5 system and the dealer told me if he ordered them I would have to buy them if I listen to them or not. I moved on and ended up finding Klipsch. The reviews at the time were great for the Take 5 system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share Posted September 18, 2010 Thanks for all of the feedback guys. It's nice to know that there are some solid options out there with a small footprint. I think we are going order the TV and stand this week and start to demo the speakers as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokarz Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 i would suggest the Energy Take 5.1 Classic. never heard them personally, but they seemed to recevied very good reviews you can get them from newegg.com for $400 shipped, PLUS you also get a $100 newegg giftcard. great if you also want to purchase an AVR (Yammie Rxv-765?) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16882269024&cm_re=take_classic-_-82-269-024-_-Product Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel Posted September 19, 2010 Moderators Share Posted September 19, 2010 I don't know how it would compare but this is a great deal for a 5.0, $199 new ! http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/139661.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBXeRo Posted September 20, 2010 Share Posted September 20, 2010 energy speakers sound very clean and clear to me. The only thing i find they lack is bass reproduction but thats in comparison to klipsch. I listened to comparable towers and that was the only thing missing. Best way i can explain it is they sounded similar to the Icon W series, great sound, not much punch. Couple them with a sub and you shouldnt have a problem! Energy is a well made canadian speaker, if i didnt like klipsch so much i would probably buy them. Aesthetically, i cant standed the look of the ribs they put on the surrounds of the speaker, i think they look ugly, but they still sound good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 22, 2010 Author Share Posted September 22, 2010 Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am looking into getting a wider TV stand that will safely accommodate smal book shelf speakers next to the TV. I tried to get the okay for small floor standing (similar to the W-34s) but my Wife would really prefer something on the stand itself. I am really interested in hearing the Mirage speaekrs (from what I hear you either like the omni-polar sound or you don't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 So we setup the new TV and stand. With the way we have to turn the TV on the stand for maximum viewing angle, there isn't much space at all for speakers. I went to Best Buy Magnolia and listened to the Mirage MX system (these things are TINY). The speakers sounded great considering the size and I was really impressed with the 800 watt 6 inch MM-6 sub (small enough for my Wife to approve of but still packing a serious punch). I ordered a set online for less than best price I could find for a new MM-6. I figure if the MXs don't cut it, I still have the MM-6 at a good price. I have to say that the Mirage speakers in general sounded great with music. Amazing clarity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBXeRo Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 Seek out a local distro and have them a hear, only true way to know for sure. While you are there, listen to some other system that are available. Almost every speaker brand has some sort of compact bookshelf speaker setup usually with larger opptions to go with them as well. Klipsch, Energy, Paradigm, Def Tech, i know for a fact each of those has a line comperable to the micro energy systems, each have different sounds and are comprised of diff types of drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 Thankfully, I was able to hear several options ahead of time. I have previously demoed both the Take Classic and RC-Micro options form Energy and the Quintets/HD500?RSX-3s from Klipsch. I went last weekend and checked out the Mirage OS-3s, Nanosats, and MXs. I ended up going with the MXs b/c the performance relative to the footprint of the 250ish square foot room was solid, and the amazing performance of the MM-6 (a sub that has very high Wife Approval Ratings. The price was so low, I figure if the sats don't cut it, I'll keep the MM-6 and see if I can squeeze a larger speaker into the system. The MXs should be here this weekend or Monday. I'll be sure to post an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
substance-p Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 I got the MX system yesterday. Set up 3.1 and watched Iron Man 2. Initial thoughts: The system is small....I mean very small. Everything appears well made. The MM-6 subwoofer is amazing. An 800 watt mini sub that blends seamlessly with the speakers provides a rich full sound without being fatigueing in our small room. I don't know if I can get used to the aesthetic of the satellite as the center channel (since all 5 speakers look the same). I am unsure if I am going to keep this setup. Specifically, I am considering getting two larger book shelf speakers and going 2.1. I don't have the space for a larger center channel, so I think I might go a different direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 I am unsure if I am going to keep this setup. Specifically, I am considering getting two larger book shelf speakers and going 2.1. I don't have the space for a larger center channel, so I think I might go a different direction. This seller looking for possible trade. http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1986099487.html Another option. http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/ele/1969255237.html Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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