Polk RT55i vs KEF q1 vs Energy Connoisseur C-3

Schris22

Hey guys,

Looking for some bookshelf speakers and the other thread is in the flea market so just wanted to start over here. The bookshelf speaker has to have good bass extension. I don't have room for a sub and will need good bass extension to try to partially make up for that.

I know this on a polk forum so of course the polk product will most likely get the most votes and recommendations, but if anyone has heard the two please provide comments.

The Rt55i looks like a great speaker but is hard to get a hold of. Is there is a BIG difference in the Rt55i vs Rt55 (non i). There is a Rt55 regular on ebay...

The KEF Q1 is praised all over the UK, but seem lesser known in America.

The Energy Connoisseur C-3 seems like a great deal at audio Advisor for 300.

They are all roughly the same price so hopefully someone has some experience with the KEF and Energy.


BW 300/600 and Wharfedale are big over in the Uk as well.

Or if there are any other recommendations that would be lovely.
Thanks,

Chris

Danny Tse

To my ears, the B&W 300 series sounds dead. I heard the DM303 with a Marantz integrated amp and the "lifelessness" was immediately apparent. And they are not shielded either. I believe the DM303 goes for something like $300.00/pair....for that price, they are other choices that are heads and shoulders above what B&W is offering.

NHT's SB2 is being offered at Audio Advisors for $300.00/pair. You should seriously consider these, along with the Energy's.

Schris22

thanks for the recommendation!

One more to add to the list but at least it got narrower too!



edit: Tried to find SB2 on Audioadvisor and only found it for 200 each.

The SB1 i can get for 150 each so 300 a pair?


Chris

Ferres

I have both the Kef Q1 and the Rt55i. The RT55i definitely trumps the Q1 in many levels especially in the low frequencies. The q1's are just not in the same class as the 55i.

ohskigod

havent heard the others, so I cant comment on difference, I can say you just can not go wrong with the rt55i. 2 61/2" drivers per channel, you just gotta love that. only thing you have to worry about is having a "bookshelf" or stand that can handle the weight. these are close to 50 lbs a piece.

PolknPepsi

I voted RT55 because when I had mine they had tons of bass with just a simple receiver and I bet they would have even more bass with an amp.

Schris22

hmmm there is a regular pair of rt55 regulars on ebay....

3 days left. Wow this whole decision making thing is tough....

Comparing specs on bass extension they seem to be the same. The thing I really love from the Rt55 is the size and heft to it. THe Energy's will be brand new...and someone compared it to the modern Lsi line which is quite a statement.

I will probably order first thing monday morning....and then see some new speakers in a week or so!

Chris

DollarDave

Another set just showed up. No affiliation.

cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-RT55-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers_W0QQitemZ5820016957QQcategoryZ71572QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-RT55-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers_W0QQitemZ5820016957QQcategoryZ71572QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Schris22

thanks for the heads up. He has no ratings yet and no shipping information but i'll ask!

Thanks again Dave

Chris

Danny Tse

Schris22 wrote:

hmmm there is a regular pair of rt55 regulars on ebay....

3 days left. Wow this whole decision making thing is tough....

Comparing specs on bass extension they seem to be the same. The thing I really love from the Rt55 is the size and heft to it. THe Energy's will be brand new...and someone compared it to the modern Lsi line which is quite a statement.

I will probably order first thing monday morning....and then see some new speakers in a week or so!

Chris

You saw this, right?

I doubt the Energy can match the RT55 in bass performance.

Schris22

Hmmm...

Well I have read it before and it didn't seem to negate the bass side...let me read it again. I was basing most of the info on +-2 db and they were really close to each other as far as that went. Though specs aren't everything.

I found two main portions about the bass.

"The lower bass lacked energy compared to that of bigger speakers, and the detail down below was slightly obscured -- expected from a smallish speaker that can only go so low -- but for my tastes, in my room, it was still wholly adequate, and at $500 per pair, hardly a thing to complain about. If you want more bass, closer placement to boundaries will help to give the low end some "lift," or, of course, a sub could be added."

With this I believe they are comparing this to ....maybe towers maybe bigger bookshelves. Nothing to complain about....then the other quote

"The bass was on par with that of the best similarly sized and priced speakers -- reasonably deep, quite full, and more than adequate for most music lovers (though not to the very depths)."

I thought this comment was postive or at least neutral rather.

I would have to review some more reviews on the Rt55 to find out about it's bass. I've heard all the raves from this forums I'll have to look for some outside sources to compare to this energy.


Thanks for the heads up though Danny.

Chris

Schris22

Athena has a bookshelf 3 way design with an 8 inch woofer....

http://athenaspeakers.com/modelS3.htm

It is factory closeout at 200 bucks stright from athena. I've heard they are good budget...I'm worried about the mid and treble range though =(

funny thing is it's smaller than the rt55i it looks like...

oh well I rather have the polk rt55i over that. just looked kinda interesting. Got plenty of awards from sterophile and sound stage though...

Chris

Danny Tse

The Athena S-series was the brand's first product line. These were on Stereopile's Recommended Components list when they were in production. Athena soon abandoned the series and concentrated on more budget-oriented speakers like its current Audition series, leaving the more upmarket speakers to its sister companies Energy and Mirage. The S-3 can be used on its own, but it was made to connect to a power sub section that connect to bottom of the speakers. So in a stereo setup, you'll actually have 2 powered subs underneath the speakers. They are pretty good on their own and a little bit laid back with their overall sound quality.

Schris22

I went ahead and ordered the C3's from AA.

Thanks for all the help I'll let you know how they go after the break in!

Chris