About Energy
Established in 1973, Energy® has long been a leader in audio research and development as well as in the engineering and manufacturing of speakers. By incorporating custom components and exclusive technologies in each of its designs, Energy takes a nonconformist attitude, delivering no-compromise, high-value speakers packed with pure performance. Owned by Klipsch Group, Inc., Energy is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit energy-speakers.com.
Philosophy
Science Behind the Energy® Sound
Our engineers strive to achieve nothing less than acoustic perfection in each and every Energy speaker. For over 30 years, they’ve studied how people listen and firmly believe these three factors to be critical for accurate sound reproduction:
Flat On-Axis Frequency Response with Wide Bandwidth
Energy brand speakers ensure that no single frequency dominates over any other, reproducing the entire audio range in a uniform manner. Flat frequency response is obtained by using well-designed drivers that have wide bandwidth and smooth roll-off characteristics. It’s also achieved by implementing correct cross-over points and slopes.
Wide and Constant Dispersion
At all frequencies, Energy speakers radiate sound evenly in all directions. A speaker with wide dispersion characteristics produces sound that the ear and brain perceives to have far greater realism and faithfulness to the original instrument. Wide dispersion is achieved by using tweeters with excellent waveform properties. However, these tweeters must have the capability to be crossed over to the mid-range or woofer at frequencies below 2kHz. Surprisingly, the industry practice was—and still is—3.5kHz for many designers.
Low Distortion and Resonance
While no speaker is completely free of resonance, Energy products offer significantly lower total harmonic distortion than the competition. They do so by using precision manufacturing processes, as well as employing very close tolerance electrical components and linear motor systems with well-damped linear suspension designs, and very rigid, well-damped cabinet construction techniques.
With these three vital parameters at the heart of its design philosophy, the Energy brand has led the industry in advancing audio technology, especially in the areas of research, development and product materials.
Exclusive Energy® Brand Technologies
Convergent Source Mole
The Convergent Source Module, or CSM, provides wide dispersion, low distortion and amazing midrange performance. The speaker’s midrange and tweeter are positioned in close proximity to one another and act as a single source, thereby increasing overall dispersion and reducing any lobing effect. The chambering of the mid and tweeter lowers the driver’s resonance, reducing distortion.
Ribbed Elliptical Surround Technology
Patented Ribbed Elliptical Surround technology (U.S. patent #6,725,967, Canadian patent #2,407,123) increases excursion, eliminates distortion and raises efficiency on our woofers and subwoofers. The Elliptical Surround encompasses the cone, allowing it to move identically in both directions, resulting in near zero distortion. And while conventional designs are often plagued with surround dimpling, which causes them to radiate in and out of phase and distort at all listening levels, our designs aren’t influenced by dimpling at all. Our proprietary Ribbed Elliptical Surrounds allow for a larger cone surface, resulting in greater efficiency. This design also lets the cone achieve greater peak to peak movement, thus allowing it to travel more than double the distance of the competition. These attributes enable our woofers and subwoofers to move incredible amounts of air, ultimately allowing them to play lower frequencies with greater bass extension and fidelity.
Testing and Evaluation
Like most speaker companies, the Energy brand believes that accurate sound reproduction makes music listening and movie watching more rewarding. We’re different, however, in that we guarantee the same high quality intended by our brilliant engineers finds its way into your home.
On every assembly line, we feature computer controlled testing equipment, checking the speaker cabinets against our original design criteria. Random driver samples are also taken from each speaker production run, and tested in anechoic chambers to verify that their acoustic measurements meet our exact specifications.
While these extra steps are time consuming and expensive, they ensure consistent quality is achieved on every Energy product. So, whether a speaker is number 100 or 1,000 off of the production line, you can rest assured that it holds the same value and criteria as the very first.
Milestones
Since 1973, the Energy® speaker brand has been dedicated to reproducing audiophile-quality sound performances that are powerful and accurate. In fact, the Canadian-based audio company has an unwavering history when it comes to the scientific research and development of loudspeaker engineering and manufacturing.
1977
The Canadian National Research Council (NRC) hosts a psycho-acoustic research study that’s focused on understanding what measurable factors people equate with a good-sounding speaker. Canadian speaker manufacturers, including the Energy brand, participate in the NRC’s study. Running from 1977 to 1986, this extensive program produced groundbreaking listening procedures and established the foundation for some of the world’s finest loudspeaker products.
1982
On a quest to build the perfect speaker, Energy participates in the NRC study and develops the iconic Energy Pro 22 speaker, which becomes the benchmark for both the NRC and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Pro 22 ends up being the longest running Energy design, evolving into the Connoisseur® speaker and then the Reference Connoisseur® 22 speaker.
1993
Wanting to improve upon its groundbreaking Pro 22 speaker, the Energy brand outshines itself with the launch of the Veritas® V2.8 speaker. Years of research, development and testing went into this speaker, making it one of the company’s most intensive projects, as well as one of the best products in the brand’s history. Everything, from the cabinet construction to the crossover, was designed from the ground up. Also, through this project, Energy introduces its exclusive Convergent Source Module (CSM) technology, a design that provides wide dispersion, low distortion and amazing midrange performance. This same year, the brand makes another big performance achievement with its Connoisseur® Series speakers. The line includes several technological improvements such as unique baffles for better damping, a quasi three-way tapered crossover for smooth power response and wider overall dispersion and a symmetrical t-pole for improved bass performance.
1997
The company introduces its Take 5 home theater system. At the time, Stereo Review magazine regarded it as “the best-sounding home theater system under $1,000.” The Take 5 ends up collecting over 20 awards in a three-year time span.
2000
The company redesigns its Veritas® Series speakers, making them the latest evolution of the Energy brand’s design philosophy. The line contains numerous technological advances, creating sonic benefits that had not been previously available to listeners. Every piece of material and technology was designed to reflect the company’s core values: flat frequency response, wide dispersion and low distortion. From the dual voice coils to the revolutionary “faceted” cone designs, from the Convergent Source Modules to the phase plugs, these speakers, at the time, represented the most accurate sound reproduction the company had every created.
2002
The Energy brand redesigns its Veritas® i and Connoisseur® speakers. While the Connoisseur line receives a complete makeover, featuring several technological and material advancements, the Veritas Series speakers apply improved cosmetics and an all-new woofer design.
2004
The Energy brand creates a quantum leap for driver performance with the invention of its Ribbed Elliptical Surround technology, a patented design that eliminates surround distortion and enables a woofer to play lower, with greater output and fidelity. Every forthcoming Energy brand product will incorporate this proprietary technology.
2006
The Energy brand introduces two completely new product lines: Reference Connoisseur Mini Series speakers, or RC-Mini, and C-Series speakers. Both offer exceptional value and performance inside a wood cabinet; however, the RC-Mini speakers are poised to redefine the market, proving big, amazing sound can come in a small, sophisticated package. In August, Klipsch Group, Inc.—an Indianapolis, Indiana-based speaker manufacturer that, at the time, owned the Klipsch® and Jamo® speaker brands—acquires Audio Products International Corp., makers of the Energy® and Mirage® brands.
2007
Building on the success of its award-winning Take 5 home theater system, Energy introduces an improved version called the Take Classic System, which quickly starts to earn praise from reviewers. The company also launches four new and powerful subwoofer models. While the ESW-10 and ESW-8 subwoofers offer exceptional value and performance, the ESW-V10 and ESW-V8 subwoofers take a more sophisticated approach, with high-style cosmetics and all premium materials.
2008
In August, the Take Classic System becomes available for purchase at Circuit City, marking the first time the Energy brand has ever been sold through a national retailer. Just in time for the fall-selling season, the Energy brand introduces its smallest home theater system to date, the RC-Micro, along with two extremely small, yet powerful, subwoofers, the ESW-M8 and ESW-M6. The brand also gives its popular Connoisseur Series speakers an all-new, extremely stylish look. The refresh of the line also sets the stage for all future Energy products to include the company’s exclusive Convergent Source Module.
