• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Energy 22 Reference Connoisseur Speakers

Well let's dig this one up again shall we?

Picked-up a pair of Reference Connoisseur RC-30 recently. Not the same animal by any means, but still pretty nice. 2005 I think?

I've not had the 22 connies before (some day!) ... had a few pairs of 22 Pros and a pair of 22.3 (on which I spent way too much $ acquiring replacement tweeters, getting tweeters repaired and ferro-fluid refreshed!)
 
Followed this threads and other which brought me to hunt down these speakers and gear that would match.

Do not have much to compare them with but I have a pair of Connoisseurs 22 and Pro 22.

Picked up Adcom and Rotel pre-amps and amps to matche them with, they sound amazing to me.

The Connoisseurs twitters were fully rebuilt, the 22 Pro are original. Do not hear a difference, the main one is how low the bass can go on the Connoisseurs.

If you can pick them up for a good price, I think they are still worth it.
 
I sold the RC30s just last week. Back in May I acquired a pair of Pro 22s with original stands. The 22s sound significantly better than the RC30s. Switching between the 2 the upper end just opens up hugely. I guess 45kHz has advantages! (Even if I can probably only hear 14kHz of it!)
 
braxus said:
Been doing some research on these speakers. I'm looking for a set myself and may have tracked down one locally. Anyway first off who here has owned these speakers? How do they compare against newer speakers? My other option is to buy a set of new B&W 804S speakers and it would be good to know how those compare. I know both brands are power hungry. Someone mentioned that they modified their pair for bi-wiring. Is it easy to do on these speakers? I'd like to run them that way if possible. Like a dual amp situation. Not sure if that would work on a 2 way speaker though. I am aware of some of the details on these speakers and have seen the pdf file on Energy's site. From what I know is the frequency response on the RC versions of the 22 series was 25Hz to 45Khz. That's pretty respectable numbers for a speaker design started in 1982. I don't see many modern speakers doing this today, even though Energy used a 7 inch woofer. I've seen the woofer out of the box and it doesn't seem all that special, other then I've been told and read the surround has been stitched on to avoid seperation. Plus the RC versions were much better in frequency response then the lower versions of the 22. I actually had a chance to listen to these in the 80s and was impressed with them, though I couldn't afford them at the time. I don't think Energy has made a speaker as good since. Again my main comparison is B&W, so if you can compare those two speaker lines it would be great. I currently own a set of B&W 602 S3 speakers which are only 2 years old. But I was always planning to upgrade from them, so they were only meant to be temporary.

Speaking of sound- how do the 22s sound with midrange and voice, especially since this is where B&W shines.
Click to expand...

Although decent enough these are very overrated and now way over priced. The hype on these is just gotten ridiculous. Have seen pairs up for sale by dreamers for in excess of a $1000! These have basic el-cheapo crossovers and those plastic woofers and paper tweeters just don't cut it anymore. They have a very good frequency range but the tone is way off. You can buy a nice pair of used speakers for $1000 that will eat these for lunch. It kind of reminds me of people selling 1970's 50w Marantz receivers like the 2250 for $1000. Good lord, you can pick up a used Rega or Naim for that and have sonic bliss.
 
I was under the impression the op was referring to a very different speaker!! Plastic woofers? Those stitched polyurethane drivers are designed to last a very long time. I've had many speakers such as Kefs, B&W's, Technics, etc.... and the Ref Connys have remained a staple in my listening room
 
Not sure where that paper tweeter comment came from? They are great sounding speakers, as is a Marantz 2250, or in my case a 2238. It's all in the eye and ear of the beholder. I am a big fan of vintage equipment since it was new stuff when I started this hobby...obsession. The Marantz has a special look and feel to it that only comes from equipment of that era. The same goes for the 22s. But each to their own.
 
taineasy said:
Although decent enough these are very overrated and now way over priced. The hype on these is just gotten ridiculous. Have seen pairs up for sale by dreamers for in excess of a $1000! These have basic el-cheapo crossovers and those plastic woofers and paper tweeters just don't cut it anymore. They have a very good frequency range but the tone is way off. You can buy a nice pair of used speakers for $1000 that will eat these for lunch. It kind of reminds me of people selling 1970's 50w Marantz receivers like the 2250 for $1000. Good lord, you can pick up a used Rega or Naim for that and have sonic bliss.
Click to expand...
Appreciate your perspepctive. Care to share which used speakers at around $1K you're referring to? I'm genuinely interested.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom