I purchased a set of Energy RC-Rs from eBay but there has been some complications. One of the speakers didn't arrive and I am left with just one speaker. I bought the set for $529, about just as much as I can purchase the QS8s for. I was contemplating the QS8s before the RC-Rs but I purchased a set of RC-50s and RC-LCR and I wanted a full matching set of speakers. I am not so sure now. I am thinking I would rather get a set of QS-8s.

If any of you have any experience with the RC-Rs, please chime in. I tested the single speaker in one channel mode today. The sound was kind of anemic, but I am not sure if that is how a surround speaker is supposed to sound. I really like the energy brand and I am sure the RC-Rs are great for surround duty, but I just have a feeling the QS8s are going to be that much better.

Please help.

I can't help on the Energy speakers, have never heard them. I will say that the Q surrounds are widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. This is not from me being a biased Axiom owner, but if you follow some of the other bigger forums like AVS, they are incorporated into many other brand HT setups. In fact I found out about Axiom over at AVS.

ps: I would put through a complaint with Ebay that your items did not arrive per the description and provide bad feedback for the seller.

Well, I did correspond with the seller on eBay before he shipped it out. He said he was going to tape the two boxes together and secure it with whatever means. I told him that is fine as long as the speaker comes without any complications.

I did call UPS to get the issue resolved and they said they will call me tomorrow at the end of the day to sort things out and to come over and inspect the box to see the situation.

I do kind of feel bad for the seller, but I knew he was trying to save a few dollars by not placing the two speaker boxes in a bigger box to integrate them as one. Now he will probably lose out on the sale because of it. And he did promise to ship it out the first thing in the morning when he got his payment but I had to wait and encourage him to ship it two days later. I don't really believe he deserve a negative feedback, but I won't give him a positive one either.

If they do come back and just take my speakers away I will just go with the QS8s. On the other hand, I wish my rogue speaker would show up tomorrow.

also, I want the QS8s because I know I will eventually get the M80s and VP180 down the road. I might as well get on the Axiom band wagon with the QS8s.

that is two bad, would have been better off using two different boxes seperately versus trying to tape them togethor, oh well. I'm sure it will all work out in the end.

I remember listening to some Energy speakers in the past (can't recall the model) and as far as I remember, the sound was very different than Axiom. They are more of a laid back speaker (which is a reason why I didn't really like them) as opposed to the more forward (ie neutral) sound of Axiom. Therefore I am not sure that the QS8s would complement your system as well as other Energy speakers, you might end up with a completely tonal/timber mismatch. Again maybe this "laid back" doesn't apply to all Energy speakers.

Generally speaking, I believe the Energy speakers(RC's) have a slightly recessed midrange compared to most Axiom speakers but you'd probably be ok using QS8 surrounds with Energy's up front.

I'm using the q4's with Energy RC30's and they sound great..IMO. I'd easily recommend them as a viable alternative over the RCR's...my q4's work great in my space and it's 16x21.

From most accounts, you are correct in your assessment of Energy being a "laid back" speaker. I really like the sound of it. I had no idea that "forward" sounding meant neutral. I always thought forward meant "bright."

I guess I will stick with the RC-Rs because it would provide a better tonal/timber match with the rest of my speakers. I am surprise I did not get more QS-8 recommendation over the RC-Rs than expected. Thanks for the unbiased assessment.

I am loving the sound of my RC-50s. How are you enjoying your RC-30s? They are going for such a great price on Amazon right now I wish I had money to experiment and get a pair. What about your LCR?

I auditoned 30's & 70's although I did preferred the 70's...I had to settle on the 30's because of budget constrains. I'm in the process of buying some Axiom later this month(switching over on walls..IMO a lateral move)but from my understanding owning the Energy and having auditioned Psb's they would IMO be more laid back or recessed in nature and Paradigm & Axioms slighly more forward but speakers become very subjective in the mind of others and later this month we shall see.

I have an Axiom 5.1 set up and an Energy RC 7.1 set up, very similar to what you will have with the addition of 2 RC-10's for rear surrounds. while I feel that the Axioms have a better bang for buck value, I prefer my Energy's overall. the RC-R is a very good speaker, if you can get the second one, I would stay with it over the QS-8's.

I am glad to hear that. I am still having issues with the buyer and UPS sending me my second RC-R, but it should be settled in the next week or two. If not I will just request a refund and purchase another one through eBay.

I am happy to hear that you prefer your RC setup overall. I do love the sound of those speakers. I just wish I could have afforded the RC-70s while they were still in stock. I still do want to go ahead and get a full Axiom system down the line and see how much different it would be over my current setup.

You say the Axioms are more bang for the buck. Does that translate into being better speakers between the two set barring price? How are the Axioms compared to the Energys? Does it sound better/different to you?

I hear you about the RC-70's-I would've loved a pair too. The 50's are no slouches though. I pieced together my RC system by buying open box but unused RC-R's, RC-50's, demo model RC-10's and a clearance (half price) new RC-LCR.

Barring price, I still prefer the RC system. At original price it would have cost around double the Axiom system I have, but it is not "twice" as good. I like it better though. Better frequency response and more efficient. Clear without being sharp. You can't beat Axiom speakers for the same price. Subs I'm not so sure, but speakers for sure. At least in the comparisons I did while having the M60's on trial. I hope you can track down that other RC-R!

Coming from another Energy Rc owner helps confirm my desire to switch over to Axiom more as a lateral move. The only sacrifice in SQ will be I'm moving from a regular speaker to in/on-walls, but I'm okay with that. Hopefully I'll sell my LCR but I would like to hold on to the 30's for use in another room.

Thanks...for sharing your thoughts!

Awesome insight. We have the same exact energy speaker setup. The speakers seem to be very efficient to me as well. I know the 50s arent slouches and they sing really well whenever i throw parties and i am very impressed with them even though theyre playing mp3s.

I think i will eventually round out my speakers to a 7.2 setup. I probably will get a pair of QS8s to get my feet wet with axioms. I do want to try the m80s that everyone is raving about. I want to see what kind of stepup it would be.

I would love to get my hands on a set of 30s as speakers for the bedroom or computer use. Theyre such great speakers and i love them.

My rational for this was simply because the LCR is in such demand the 30's not so much. If your in the GTA we could work something out.... .

BTW...you won't regret the Q'8's if you decide to buy them!

billy,

Haha, I am currently not in the market for 30s. I just thought that amazon had them for such a steal for a while and I was curious to see how the 30s would sound. I am just glad I got my set of 50s brand new for $575. Now the price is all over the place and most of the time at their full asking price of $799 a speaker.