Energy R.C. Micro 5.1
- Good sound quality
- Small satellites
- Good midranges
- Not enough power to fill a large room
- Bass lacks the impact of larger speakers
- Some weakness in high frequencies
If finding a home theater speaker system that disappears into a room is a high priority, experts say the 5.1-channel Energy RC-Micro 5.1 should be on your short list. At 4.7 inches tall (by 3.5 inches wide and deep), the satellites aren't the absolutely smallest available, but they are among the smallest that can provide terrific cinematic sound. All the elements -- subwoofer, center-channel speaker and satellites -- are designed to mesh perfectly, providing better low-midranges and more full-bodied sound than other small-speaker systems.
Not all the traps of small speakers are completely avoided, however. It's unrealistic to expect the RC-Micro 5.1 to fill a big room with sound, and the bass, while good, won't deliver the punch of larger-speaker systems. Other alternatives in this price range include the Klipsch HD Theater 500 (*Est. $500) . While it's also best in small rooms, sound quality is top-shelf and few home theater speakers can create as convincing a surround-sound field.
The Energy RC-Micro 5.1 has received some reviewer attention. The best reviews are at CNET and Home Theater magazine, which offer detailed, testing-backed reports. The brief coverage at Sound + Vision magazine includes a roundup of best speakers. User feedback isn't extensive, but a few comments are posted at Amazon.com.
| Energy RC-Micro 5.1 Surround Speaker System (Black) | |
(48 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
|
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  5,031 store reviews | In Stock. Buy this item and earn up to 400 Rewards points. | $399.99 | See It |
 |  1,825 store reviews | In Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25.00 | $349.99 | See It |
 |  234 store reviews | In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com! | $549.99 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. CNET
Steve Guttenberg raves about the sound quality and small size of the Energy RC-Micro 5.1. He has a few quibbles, however, saying the small speakers sound best if not driven to the highest volumes. Yet most major pitfalls of small speakers are avoided, he says, and the RC-Micro 5.1 sounds "equally accomplished" with movies and music.
Review: Energy RC-Micro 5.1, Steve Guttenberg, Nov. 11, 2008
2. Home Theater Magazine
Home Theater magazine says the Energy RC-Micro 5.1 is "about as small as very good-sounding speakers ever get." Noted negatives include bass that lacks the "slam" of a giant subwoofer and highs that aren't quite as high as some other full-bodied home theater speakers can deliver. Yet Mark Fleischmann says: "This speaker package does a lot of things so well that you'll probably never notice what's missing unless you spend a lot of time in listening rooms demoing high-end speaker systems that sell for a lot more than this one."
Review: Energy RC-Micro Speaker System, Mark Fleischmann, Nov. 17, 2008
3. Sound & Vision Magazine
This article names the author's selections as the best speakers of each type and the Energy RC-Micro 5.1 gets the nod as the smallest compact home theater speaker system. Daniel Kumin calls the satellites "almost comically small" and says the subwoofer isn't much bigger, but the RC-Micro 5.1 "delivers enough extension and oomph to give an honest impersonation of cinema sound." He advises buying larger home theater speakers if you can, but if you can't, "this system stands a world apart from the typical department-store home-theater-in-a-box."
Review: Top Speakers in Every Class, Daniel Kumin, Nov. 5, 2008
4. Amazon.com
About 25 owners weigh in with comments here that are uniformly positive. Bass isn't "window shattering" and the speakers are recommended more for those who don't watch movies or listen to movies at "deafening levels," but sound quality is said to be excellent.
Review: Energy RC-Micro 5.1 Surround Speaker System, Contributors to Amazon.com
Home Theater Speakers Runners Up:
4 picks including: Amazon.com, Home Theater Magazine…
2 picks including: DigitalTrends.com, Engadget.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Home Theater Magazine…
RCA AH16100SR 100 Ft. 16-Gauge Speaker Wire
Terk
New $9.53
(774)
Sony BRAVIA DAV-DZ170 Home Theater System
Sony
New $192.95
(136)
Logitech Surround Sound Speakers Z506 (980-000430)
Logitech
New $75.17
(418)
Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System (Set of Six, Black)
Energy
New $299.99
(424)
Onkyo HT-S3500 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker/Receiver Package
ONKYO
New $289.00
(261)Best Reviewed
Home Theater Speakers
- Budget home-theater speakers Yamaha NS-SP1800 *Est. $120
- Best value home-theater speakers Energy Take Classic 5.1 *Est. $400
- Best home-theater speakers Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 *Est. $800
- Compact home-theater speakers Cambridge Audio Minx S215 *Est. $800
- High-end home theater speakers Definitive Technology ProCinema 800 *Est. $1200
Get info about new reports and updates
