I bought some 50% clearance EMPTek E55TI towers and E55CI center today...

ravaneli

No, I paid $200 to rewire my car with monster cables that replaced the cheapest RCAs in the world (thank you, cheap mexican shop) and didn't feel absolutely any difference. The only pleasant result was the monsters looked fat and solid and cool, and the old RCAs had actually start to rust and peel off at the connectors because I was pulling them on and off all the time experimenting..

audiocr381ve

ravaneli wrote: »

No, I paid $200 to rewire my car with monster cables that replaced the cheapest RCAs in the world (thank you, cheap mexican shop) and didn't feel absolutely any difference. The only pleasant result was the monsters looked fat and solid and cool, and the old RCAs had actually start to rust and peel off at the connectors because I was pulling them on and off all the time experimenting..

I'm neutral on the subject of cables myself, but it would be hard to tell in that type of noisy electrical environment.

concealer404

Also: Monster.

slammin86

ravaneli wrote: »

Man, when I read your critique of the monitors I found some similarities with my A7s. Should have never read it, now it's gona bother me.

Not the bassy part, the lows come out super crisp and tight, and pack quite a punch even with my cheap pioneer (if boosted slightly through EQ). But the highs do become unpleasant as I turn up the volume. Too sharp to the ear. The thing is, this sharpness is kind of pleasant on low to mid volume, because it creates a feeling of clarity and fidelity, as you can hear super fine detail even at low volume.

Do me a favor, let me know if the polks sound clearer on low volume. this brightness actually creates more contrast and detail is easier detected on low volume in my opinion..

Low volume listening the highs on the polks sound fine. Everything seems bright and crisp. But the louder the volume goes the louder all of this goes.

You might try an amp and see what happens. On the M70's I know it is not a lack of power because I am giving each one 200 watts.

concealer404

Damn, if these were available clearance in the red burl i'd be buying a set right now, just because i'm curious.

audiocr381ve

Would love to see some better pictures of the finish if you can. Daylight would be best so your camera doesn't have to work so hard to expose with the little light in your room. If you get a minute to do it, don't use flash if you're shooting with sunlight.

Syndil

Glad they are working for you. That center channel has me very curious. You wouldn't happen to have a CS350-LS handy to compare it to, would you?

heiney9

slammin86 wrote: »

Low volume listening the highs on the polks sound fine. Everything seems bright and crisp. But the louder the volume goes the louder all of this goes.

You might try an amp and see what happens. On the M70's I know it is not a lack of power because I am giving each one 200 watts.

Sounds like a gear issue to me. 200 watts means nothing and a receiver is not a great source of "real" power. Also understand the M series is Polk's entry level speakers so there are going to be some limitations because they are built to a price point. Perhaps, based on the way you have described your new speakers, the RTiA series is a better comparison.

So to small degree you might be doing an apples to oranges comparison, but since I am not at all familiar with you new brand of speakers and I can't say.

Just food for thought

H9

slammin86

heiney9 wrote: »

Sounds like a gear issue to me. 200 watts means nothing and a receiver is not a great source of "real" power. Also understand the M series is Polk's entry level speakers so there are going to be some limitations because they are built to a price point. I'm sure, based on the way you have described your new speakers, the RTiA series is a better comparison.

So to small degree you might be doing an apples to oranges comparison, but since I am not at all familiar with you new brand of speakers and I can't say.

H9

I am running an acurus A3x200 which I believe has solid power. It made a huge difference when I switched the m70's from a onkyo 270 to the amp.

What RTiA series towers could I get for $397.50 shipped? Monitors 70's can be had for close to that amount which is why I feel it was a fair comparison. Just based on price.

If you have an extra $400 laying around you should buy a pair and see what you think of the emptek's.

heiney9

I missed you were running an amp.

No thanks, I'll pass on the Emptek's. I will need a whole lot more convincing than a single thread.

I'm very happy with my SDA's; Monitor 5B's and RT25i's all in different rigs.

Enjoy them

H9

ravaneli

No, I meant could you say that the monitors sound better than the empteks on low volume? To me the brightness really brings out detail in low volume that cannot be detected in the so called 'laid back' speakers.

Also, regarding my highs sounding harsh on high level due to lack of power, this sounds absurd from a physical perspective. How much power can a tweeter use, even if you have 5 kilowatts fed to it? If my 7" woofers pack a tight crisp punch on high volume i find it really unlikely that the tweeters are suffering from power.

Not sure if biwiring could do anything about that. I am really skeptical but I have to admit I don't know. Perhaps I will try it just for the heck of it, - won't be expensive to try anyway..

Monster Jam

Thanks for the review!

I was skeptical, but I'm glad this worked out. Tough to start a company like EMPtek, but positive reviews and word of mouth, along with sustained performance wins out in the end.

Upstatemax

ravaneli wrote: »

No, I meant could you say that the monitors sound better than the empteks on low volume? To me the brightness really brings out detail in low volume that cannot be detected in the so called 'laid back' speakers.

Also, regarding my highs sounding harsh on high level due to lack of power, this sounds absurd from a physical perspective. How much power can a tweeter use, even if you have 5 kilowatts fed to it? If my 7" woofers pack a tight crisp punch on high volume i find it really unlikely that the tweeters are suffering from power.

Not sure if biwiring could do anything about that. I am really skeptical but I have to admit I don't know. Perhaps I will try it just for the heck of it, - won't be expensive to try anyway..

Tweets are the most sensative to distortion...

Distortion can give a harsh tone.

As for the A7's, speaker cables can make a difference IMO.

I had Monoprice 12ga wiring and I swapped to MIT ExP2 speaker wire and I found the bright highs to mellow out. I can sit and listen to music all day on them now.

Still not up to par with my LSi 9's, but much better than before.

Upstatemax

Congrats on the new speakers BTW. Sound like you got a great deal and I'm glad you're happy!

Tony M

I'd like to congrat you on your purchase. Beautiful speakers.

I think I noticed the Polks are alot deeper than the Emps. I wonder if the enternal volume might be the same given the Emps have the upper part chambered off from the bass speakers. Anyway, I like the price you paid. Now for another reviewer to help the masses and since you've heard Polk, you can give us some more updates as the Emps break in some more.

Thanks for your sharing this purchase with us. I thought they were White Van also but I now believe they are a few notches above for sure.

pietro944

You're a lucky man.....they are now out of stock in the clearance section.....Keep us updated on their performance.I think the naysayers were just jealous....good score,man

jbooker82

ravaneli wrote: »

No, I meant could you say that the monitors sound better than the empteks on low volume? To me the brightness really brings out detail in low volume that cannot be detected in the so called 'laid back' speakers.

Also, regarding my highs sounding harsh on high level due to lack of power, this sounds absurd from a physical perspective. How much power can a tweeter use, even if you have 5 kilowatts fed to it? If my 7" woofers pack a tight crisp punch on high volume i find it really unlikely that the tweeters are suffering from power.

Not sure if biwiring could do anything about that. I am really skeptical but I have to admit I don't know. Perhaps I will try it just for the heck of it, - won't be expensive to try anyway..

If you want to sink some more money in to your RTi A7's get in touch with Trey (VR3).

slammin86

Yeah I noticed they are out of stock now. Glad I bought when I did.

I am still running no EQ with them. Last night I brought the sub back into the mix crossed over at 80 hz. I love how well it blends. I think the fact the the low end on the emp tek seems much more precise that helps it blend into the sub better.

I am going to order the bookshelves since they are back in stock now and run them as surrounds to replace my M30's. Then once they arrive I will run audyssey again.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. For the time being these speakers saved me from spending much much more on speakers. I was prepared to spend $1000~$1200 on towers. I ended up coming in at $397 and am happy. Well at least until upgradetitus strikes again. Hopefully I last more than a year this time.

pietro944

slammin86 wrote: »

Yeah I noticed they are out of stock now. Glad I bought when I did.

I am still running no EQ with them. Last night I brought the sub back into the mix crossed over at 80 hz. I love how well it blends. I think the fact the the low end on the emp tek seems much more precise that helps it blend into the sub better.

I am going to order the bookshelves since they are back in stock now and run them as surrounds to replace my M30's. Then once they arrive I will run audyssey again.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. For the time being these speakers saved me from spending much much more on speakers. I was prepared to spend $1000~$1200 on towers. I ended up coming in at $397 and am happy. Well at least until upgradetitus strikes again. Hopefully I last more than a year this time.

They put the Burl back up on clearance today.....And I bought them!!!!....I also have the M70's,which I will use for a compare......I'm going to mate this with a Revel T3 sub.
He who hesitates,is lost....Thanks to you,buddy,I pulled the trigger.....Peter

slammin86

pietro944 wrote: »

They put the Burl back up on clearance today.....And I bought them!!!!....I also have the M70's,which I will use for a compare......I'm going to mate this with a Revel T3 sub.
He who hesitates,is lost....Thanks to you,buddy,I pulled the trigger.....Peter

Thats awesome. I cannot wait to hear your comparison. Too bad you already read my review I would like to see another person's unbiased thoughts on these 2 speakers.

Make sure you post some good pictures of that finish. If it would have been available when I bought mine thats the color I would have went with just because of how unique it looks.

pietro944

slammin86 wrote: »

Thats awesome. I cannot wait to hear your comparison. Too bad you already read my review I would like to see another person's unbiased thoughts on these 2 speakers.

Make sure you post some good pictures of that finish. If it would have been available when I bought mine thats the color I would have went with just because of how unique it looks.

Your review won't color my eval.....i'll test them speaker A and then B with the same music....especially jazz vocals,which is my preference.I won't use the Revel sub,until they're broken in.The Burl on the website looks gorgeous and it goes all around the back.....can't wait.

pietro944

concealer404 wrote: »

Damn, if these were available clearance in the red burl i'd be buying a set right now, just because i'm curious.

FYI....They are now available in the red burl,I bought them tonite

concealer404

Well that's bad timing... I just paid all my bills and bought $448 worth of nuts/bolts/washers for a car.

Maybe they'll still be available next time i'm paid.

pietro944

FYI......Red Burl is now OUT OF STOCK....Black still available...Glad I jumped in last nite.

EndersShadow

pietro944 wrote: »

Glad I jumped in last nite.

Not the first time you've said that I will venture :chessygrin:

pietro944

EndersShadow wrote: »

Not the first time you've said that I will venture :chessygrin:

yea,but it was a blow-up doll

pietro944

Got a nice email from Brian Tracy at Emptek,confirming my order.He said that they have had a huge response to their clearance sale and that shipping would be in a couple of days.....not in a hurry....gotta make room for these babies,anyhow.

grimmace19

Pretty interesting thread, today is the first time I jumped in here to give it a good read through. Glad the speakers sound good.. I completely agree with your evaluation of the M70s as I had them for quite a while when I was getting into the hobby. Loving my lsi's for the moment, however I am always left with more to desire as I get more and more addicted to the hobby.

Happy listening.

slammin86

I sold my polks today. M70s, m30s and cs2 for 350.

slammin86

double post