Energy R.C. Micro 5.1

Bottom Line

If finding a home theater speaker system that disappears into a room is a high priority, experts say the 5.1-channel R.C. Micro 5.1 should be on your short list. The satellites aren't the smallest available, but they're among those that can provide terrific cinematic sound. While the set isn't powerful enough for larger rooms, it provides better sound quality for small spaces than other small-speaker systems in its price range.

Performance

Packs a punch for pint-size satellites. If small speakers seem to equal small sound, then the Energy R.C. Micro 5.1 is a welcome exception. While it's not nearly powerful enough for larger rooms, reviewers agree that it provides good sound quality for small spaces. Reviewers say blending among the subwoofer, center-channel speaker and satellites is superb, 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 R.C. Micro 5.1 to fill large rooms with sound, and while the bass sounds good, it can't deliver the deep low end of larger speaker systems. Even so, music and movies sound great, as long you don't crank up the volume to the max.

Design

Compact design blends in with most rooms. The Energy R.C Micro 5.1 is a compact speaker system that does an excellent job of hiding in a room, and its piano-black finish looks sleek and stylish. Its two-way (stereo) satellites aren't the smallest available, but at 4.7 inches tall (by 3.5 inches wide and deep) and weighing about 2 pounds each, they're still a welcome addition to most rooms. Each speaker has a removable black-cloth grill and can be wall mounted via either keyhole slots or threaded ports.

Build Quality

Lacks useful connection options. One of the biggest gripes reviewers have with the Energy R.C. Micro 5.1 is with its connectors. The speakers only accept the skinniest bare speaker wire or pins; CNET says the lack of more flexible, five-way binding posts is disappointing. The center-channel speaker shares the satellites' drivers: a 0.5-inch aluminum dome tweeter and a 2.5-inch aluminum midbass driver. The 240-watt subwoofer -- which includes an 8-inch front-firing driver -- uses a ribbed rubber "rim" around its cone, which Energy says reduces distortion. An LED light glows blue when the sub is turned on.

Value

Decent performer for small spaces. For smaller spaces, the Energy R.C. Micro 5.1 is a value choice for those who want compact speakers that don't sacrifice sound quality. For moderately sized rooms it's so-so; and for larger rooms it's out of the question. If you can put up with a modestly larger-sized system, the Energy Take Classic 5.1 (*Est. $400) is slightly bigger, but it handles moderately sized rooms more easily. If the smallest speakers are a must, the Cambridge Audio Minx S215 (*Est. $800) is smaller still, and it can actually do fine in a moderately sized room, but costs twice as much.