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I've found another excellent budget loudspeaker. I've been getting a first listen to the Energy CB20 bookshelf speakers.
First impressions are very good. This is a balanced speaker, even more so than my long enjoyed Elac Debut B6s. The CB20s do not have the bass extension of the Elacs, but come very close.
On top, there's no contest. The aluminum dome on the CB20 is far more transparent than the Elac's fabric dome, not that one type is inherently more transparent than the other. Just in this specific instance. Top end extension on the Energys is superior as well. More shimmer on cymbals and brush strokes.
Pricing is comparable. I paid $279 for the Elacs and $249 for the Energys. Oh, the other big difference is sensitivity, 87 dB/w/m for the elacs and 92 dB/w/m for the CB20s.
Opus 33 1/3
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The high frequency response of the Elac B6s and B5s can be improved greatly by removing the protective screens over the tweeters (takes 2 seconds) and upgrading the mediocre polyester caps to the tweeters (and woofers).
I'm very interested in how you like these as they break in. Danny Ritchie of GR Research did extensive testing of the Elac and found the highs to be quite rolled off. Any issues with cabinet resonance? So you really like the Parks Budgie? Thanks.
Yes, I like the Budgie a lot. However, it is off line now. The cartridge I'm using (SoundSmith SMM-4 in the B&O RX-2) is only about 2.2 mv output and the Budgie only has about 38 dB gain. I have a SS phono preamp which can be configured for 30, 40, 48 or 60 dB gain and the 48 dB setting is just right for the B&O cartridge. When I get another TT, I'll get back to the Budgie.
While I think the highs on the Elac are its weak point (about the only weak point, IMHO), I don't know if they are rolled off, just not up to the stellar stuff going on below.
Opus 33 1/3
I thought the Energy CB 20 was around for a few years. Why this sudden interest? Curious how it compared to Elac? Could you compare them some more please. Thanks.
Bill
Just enjoying listening to them now. Yes, they've been around a bit. I actually bought them nearly a year ago. They've been in the box in my closet.
I was so satisfied with the Elacs that its taken me this long to pull the CB20s out to try them.
One difference was immediately obvious, the difference in sensitivity. I had my NAD integrated set for the B6s and the first notes out of the CB20s nearly blew me out of my seat! I know the Energys would be easy for my little Emotiva Fusion Flex integrated to drive. It would run out of gas driving the B6s.
Opus 33 1/3
How's the finish on the Energy CB20? I had the Elac Uni-Fi UB5 and I could see the MDF was beginning to show at the corners from the time they left the box. Any problems with the Debut B6?
Opus 33 1/3
Thanks or the review. Interesting. It has been a while since I've been speaker shopping, but a few years back when I listened to Energys I found them rather hot and strident. Of course, the company may have addressed that issue in their current models, but then I'm not currently looking for anything.
On top, they are extended, detailed and transparent.
Opus 33 1/3
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