The Energy Veritas V 2.1 is a small, high quality bookshelf size speaker designed for use on dedicated stands. At only about 16 inches tall and 10 inches wide, it is a very small speaker, but its quality is high enough that it competes well with floor standing speakers in the $1000 price range. The retail of the 2.1s is about $1000/pair. They can sometimes be found on sale for around $800.

Energy Acoustics is a Canadian manufacturer of very high quality home speaker systems, but their products can be found at electronics supermarkets like Good Guys, allowing you to compare them with offerings from the likes of Polk, Klipsch, and Boston Acoustics. I generally find that Energy's speakers outperform others in their size and price range, and the Energy 2.1 is no exception.

The Basics.

The Energy 2.1s are a two-way, ported design with a nominal impedance rating of 8 ohms and a rated frequency response of 45Hz to 20kHz (no tolerance given). The binding posts on the rear of the speakers are of extremely high quality, and the speaker appears to be very well constructed.

Aesthetics.

The Energy 2.1s are small enough to fit into any decor unobtrusively, but for optimum performance, you really should mount them on stands. They also need some room behind them for the best possible imaging. If you just want something to stick on a bookshelf and forget about, check out Cambridge Soundworks' Model Sixes or Seventeens, and save yourself several hundred dollars.

I find the 2.1s to be fairly attractive, with their wood side panels and dark grilles, but I admit to finding the dark composite tops a bit off-putting. That's just a matter of personal taste, though. The main thing to consider is whether you're willing to devote a little extra energy (and money, if you buy really high quality stands) to set the 2.1s up right.

Sound.

The most striking attribute of these speakers is their imaging. Although they are direct radiators (not bi-polar or di-polar), when set up right, most of the sound seems to be coming from well behind the speakers, and the speakers throw a large and detailed soundstage.

They are also very natural sounding speakers. I could detect no unnatural peaks or valleys. Transient attack is also excellent. Although they are small, the speakers convey the "slam" of classical, rock and jazz music with ease.

Bass is not as deep as with some floor-standing speakers, but it is remarkably tight. And, unlike Polk's little RT25s, the mid-bass is powerful enough to make rock music really satisfying.

Perhaps because of their outstanding imaging, these speakers exaggerate CD "digititis" LESS than Energy's own floor-standing e:XL 26s. And the whole presentation is slightly "tighter" and more articulate than with the less expensive 26s. Overall, the sound is reminiscent of Energy's own 2.2s, which are among the best speakers I have heard at any price.

Direct Comparisons.

I found the Energy 2.1s to be more satisfying than speakers of comparable size from Polk, Klipsch, Boston Acoustics, or other manufacturers whose offerings were on hand for direct comparison. They were also more musically satisfying than the towers by these manufacturers, though some of the towers with self-powered sub-woofers were capable of greater "sonic bombast" on recordings with deep bass information.

The Polk RT55s (large "bookshelf" speakers) present an interesting comparison, as the Polks were a bit "warmer," though they did not image as well. Another interesting comparison might be between the Energy 2.1s and the Paradigm Reference Studio/20s, which I reviewed positively over a year ago. If memory serves, the Paradigms are a tad brighter, while the Energys are a bit more neutral sounding. Both can throw an amazing soundstage when set up right.

Compared to my current reference, the Cambridge Towers, the Energy 2.1s are tighter and more natural sounding, while the Towers are warmer, with a more diffuse soundstage.

Conclusion.

The Energy Veritas 2.1 speakers are amazing small speakers, worthy of consideration by any audiophile with $800 or so to spend on speakers. They offer remarkable imaging, a detailed yet not-fatiguing presentation, and very tight and punchy bass for a small speaker. However, some care in setting them up is necessary for optimal performance. Decent stands are a good idea, and you should place them at least a foot from rear and side walls to get the best imaging.

Highly recommended.



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 800/pair