Energy CB-20 Bookshelf Speakers Instruction Manual
- June 3, 2024
- Energy
Table of Contents
Energy CB-20 Bookshelf Speakers
Specifications
- DIMENSIONS: 7″ (22cm) H x 5.7″ (14.5cm) W x 7.9″ (20 cm) D
- WEIGHT: 6 lbs. / 3 kg (each)
- FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 71Hz – 20kHz ± 3dB
- POWER HANDLING: 20-100W per channel
- SENSITIVITY: 89dB
- TWEETER: .75″ (19mm) hyperbolic aluminum-dome
- WOOFER: 5″ (114mm) with Ribbed Elliptical Surround
- CROSSOVER POINT: 2kHz
Introduction
The CB-20 is ideal for hanging on a shelf, a stand, or a wall and delivers strong aural impact from a little package. From a little speaker, enjoy movies, games, and music like never before. The high gloss black baffle and black ash finish give them a cool touch and increase their worth. Wide Bandwidth and Flat On-Axis Frequency Response: Speakers should reproduce the whole audio spectrum uniformly. Every note is played as it was intended to be by Energy, which keeps all frequencies equally balanced and as natural- sounding as possible.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!
- READ these instructions.
- KEEP these instructions.
- HEED all warnings.
- FOLLOW all instructions.
- DO NOT use this apparatus near water.
- CLEAN ONLY with dry cloth.
- DO NOT block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
- ONLY USE attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
- USE only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
- DO NOT expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the apparatus.
The exclamation point, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of insulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electrical shock to persons.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.
WARNING: No naked flame sources – such as candles – should be placed on the product.
We are proud to welcome you as an owner of the ENERGY® Connoisseur Series. ENERGY Speakers are the result of extensive research into accurate sonic reproduction and represent the leading edge in speaker design and performance. The finest components and cabinet materials, combined with sophisticated manufacturing and quality control procedures, ensure many years of exceptional performance and listening pleasure.
Please take time to read all of the instructions contained in this manual to make certain your system is properly installed and set up for optimal sound reproduction. Be sure to unpack your system carefully. Retain the carton and all packing material for future use.
UNPACKING
Using a knife carefully cut the tape to open the package. Fold the carton flaps back and slide the speaker and packaging from the box. When removing the CF-30, CF-50 or CF-70 floorstanding speaker, stand the box upright, cut the tape and slide the speaker from the box. Remove all inner packaging and parts.
CONTENTS:
4 – Self-adhesive rubber bumpers (CB-5, CB-10, CB-20, CC-5, CC-10 only)
MAGNETIC SHIELDING
While all Connoisseur series speakers are magnetically shielded, stray magnetic fields can still exist. Placing your Connoisseur speakers on top or beside your CRT based television should not cause any interference. In the case where there is some minor discoloration, simply move the speaker forward or backwards or away from the television a few inches, this generally resolves the issue. Note: LCD, DLP and Plasma displays do not suffer from magnetic interference.
CONNECTING YOUR SPEAKERS (Diagram 1)
All of the models in the Connoisseur Series have the same high quality gold plated binding post connectors. You should utilize high quality speaker cables, up to 12 gauges (AWG). The Connoisseur Series will accept a variety of connector types including spade lugs, banana jacks, or pin type connectors. The best connector in our opinion is the “Spade lug” as it provides more contact area with the terminal and allows the binding post to be tightened for a secure connection. Audiophiles and novices alike have preferences as to which connector type they favor, speak with your Authorized ENERGY retailer as to which is the best for your audio video system. Rest assured, plain speaker wire is more than acceptable, you can always upgrade your wires and/or connectors later on.
In the case where you wish to use banana type plugs, simply remove the plastic red and black inserts. The plastic insert is a mandatory security measure, as dictated by many local and federal government associations.
To connect your speaker system: Start at one speaker, and connect one channel at a time, starting with the front speakers. Always ensure that the entire A/V system is powered OFF before performing any connections. The positive and negative (red and black) sides of the speaker terminals MUST match the positive and negative (red and black) terminals of the receiver or amplifier. If they do not match, abnormal sound and a lack of bass response will result. After connecting the front speakers, connect the rest of the speakers to their appropriate channels of the receiver or amplifier. The three connection methods and their explanations include:
TRADITIONAL CONNECTION METHOD (Diagram 2)
- Using your choice of speaker wire and termination method, connect the speaker cable (minding the positive and negative polarities), to the lower set of connectors. Ensure the terminals are tight. The gold “shorting straps” that connect the lower and upper connections must remain in place (CF-30, CF-50, CF-70).
- Repeat the procedure for the second speaker.
BI-WIRE METHOD (CF-30, CF-50, CF-70) (Diagram 3)
This method involves using multiple cables and connectors, to access both sets of terminals on the Connoisseur loudspeakers simultaneously. For more details on the benefits of biwiring, please discuss this with your authorized ENERGY retailer.
NOTE: Before starting, remove the gold “shorting straps”, which con-nect the top and bottom set of input terminals. To remove the straps, loosen all of the connectors and pull the straps away from the bind-ing posts. Make sure you put them in a safe place for future use.
- Using your choice of speaker wire and termination method, connect one speaker cable from the amplifier (minding the positive and negative polarities) to the top set of connectors. Ensure the terminals are tight.
- Next, connect the second cable, from the same channel of your amplifier to the lower set of terminals.
- Repeat the procedure for the second speaker.
BI-AMPLIFICATION METHOD (CF-30, CF-50, CF-70) (Diagram 3)
This connection system involves the use of two separate two channel amplifiers to power one set of speakers. The idea is to have one stereo amplifier connected to one speaker, and another identical amplifier powering the second speaker. This is often referred to as “Vertical” Bi-amplification. It is the only method ENERGY® recommends.
NOTE: Before starting, remove the gold “shorting straps”, which connect the top and bottom set of input terminals. To remove the straps, loosen all of the connectors and pull the straps away from the binding posts. Make sure you put them in a safe place for future use.
- Using your choice of speaker wire and termination method, connect one speaker cable from the amplifier (minding the positive and negative polarities) to the top set of connectors. Ensure the terminals are tight.
- Next, connect the second cable, from the amplifiers other channel to the bottom set of terminals, again ensuring a tight connection.
- Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the second speaker using the second amplifier.
POSITIONING AND INSTALLING YOUR SPEAKERS
LEFT AND RIGHT MAIN SPEAKERS
(CB-5, CB-10, CB-20, CF-30, CF-50, CF-70)
The main speakers are usually placed in the front of the room, on either side of the TV or video projector. They should be placed a minimum of 6 feet apart, and if the furniture placement allows, keep them at least 12 inches from all walls. To calculate the best placement, measure the distance between the speakers themselves and the listening position. Your distance from the speakers should be roughly 1.5 times the distance the speakers are apart from each other. For example: If the distance between each speaker and the listening position is 9 feet, then the speakers should be 6 feet apart from one another. This will provide excellent stereo separation and imaging for music playback. This is just a starting point, the room’s acoustics and furniture placement will vary the placement of the speaker. Use your best judgment and experiment with speaker placement. Slight adjustments can provide significant improvements in performance.
WALL MOUNT OPTIONS (CB-5, CB-10, CB-20, CC-5) (Diagram 4)
These models can be wall mounted using the keyhole or threaded insert on the back. The threaded insert is an imperial 1/4-20 (CB-5, CB-10) or 3/8-16 (CB-20, CC-5) thread and should be compatible with various aftermarket mounting systems.
TABLE/STAND MOUNTING (CB-5, CB-10, CB-20, CC-5,CC-10) (Diagram 5)
When the speaker will be installed on a bookshelf or on a stand, please attach the 4 rubber bumpers to the bottom of the speaker, as this will protect both the mounting surface and the speaker from damage. Simply peel the bumper off its sheet and stick it in place on the bottom of the speaker, one bumper per corner. The rubber bumpers also help decouple the speaker from the book-shelf or stand.
CR-10 (Diagram 6)
The rear speakers can vary greatly in position depending on the room layout, and the furniture placement. The ideal position is either on the side walls, or rear walls.
Side Wall: This position utilizes the ceiling or rear walls of the room to reflect sound and create the “surround” effect.
Rear Wall: This is generally used when the side wall position is not available to you, due to furniture placement or room dimensions. It is also used in a 6.1 or 7.1 surround configuration.
Both mounting positions have their advantages and disadvantages, the position offering the best coverage of the entire room should be chosen. The goal of the surround speakers during movie reproduction is to create an “atmosphere” around you. The rear channel speakers are ideally placed an equal distance from you as compared to the front speakers. But this is not always possible in a home environment. The CR-10 will emit sound from both sides of the speaker, and is best placed where it can use the ceiling and walls to reflect the sound around the listeners. The best mounting position for a 5.1 system is the Side Wall position, as it makes use of the rooms’ ceiling, rear walls, and side walls. It will create a lifelike surround effect and make the room sound larger than it is. In this position, try to mount the speaker so that it is beside you or slightly behind you. The height should be above ear level, at approximately 2/3 of the height of the wall. 6 feet off of the ground is typically a good starting point, and the speaker should be 2 feet above your head when seated. These general guidelines should aid in positioning choices.
You can also achieve excellent results in the rear position. Try not to place the speakers directly into a corner. Leave 2 or more feet between the edge of the cabinet and the side wall, so the sound can reflect into the room environment. The rear position is usually chosen when your room will not accommodate the side wall position due to unequal walls, a doorway, or a large opening, etc. Whether you use 2, 3 or 4 surround speakers, it is recommended that all surround speakers are at the same height.
MOUNTING YOUR CR-10 SPEAKERS (Diagram 7)
NOTE: The CR-10 features a very simple wall mounting system. Careful attention must be made to mount it securely as the speaker is heavy and damage to the product and/or injury could result from improper mounting. Please follow the directions carefully!
- Select the mounting position best suited for your room.
- Place the speaker vertically against the wall in the desired mounting location and push firmly on the speaker cabinet to mark the wall. (Diagram 7a) This is where you need to insert the appropriate mounting hardware to securely fasten the speaker. Hardware is not included with the speaker, as building materials vary greatly in different countries, but the recommended screw head size is a #8. Screw length is to be determined by the wall material.
- If you are mounting directly to drywall, please ensure that you use the appropriate anchors, as screws into drywall itself will not provide a secure mount. Insert the anchors AND screws until tight. Try to locate into wall studs wherever possible. (Diagram 7b)
- Hold the speaker vertically and insert the screw head into the large hole. (Diagram 7c) Let the speaker slide down into place. (Diagram 7d)
BI-POLE/DI-POLE SWITCH – CR-10
The Bi-pole/Di-pole Switch allows you to change the type of sound field the speaker will produce. Note: Regardless of the switches’ position, the two tweeters will continue functioning.
- In the “Bi-pole” position the two tweeters are engaged and are operating in phase with each other. The resulting sound field is expansive, and with correct placement, the sound will reflect off of room boundaries to create a large sounding surround field.
- In the “Di-pole” position the tweeters are active, but are wired out of phase from each other. The resulting sound field is even more expansive, and can create an even larger effect than the bi-pole mode.
FINE TUNING
Your listening room is the final component of your audio system and will be the difference between mediocre sound and high quality sound. Reflections, which are a part of every recording and music playback, will have a major effect on your system’s performance. If your room is too “live”, meaning there are many bare surfaces like glass windows, hard floors and thin furnishings, you might find the sound overly bright. If your room is “dead”, meaning there is thick pile carpeting, heavy furniture and a lot of wall coverings, you might find the sound lacks dynamic energy. To remedy these issues, small changes to your room should be considered as they generally lead to large improvements in sound quality. Most listening rooms must balance aesthetics and sound, but patience and small adjustments in positioning and settings can pay huge acoustic dividends.
The lower bass frequencies are typically the most influenced by your listening room. If you find the bass in your room to be uneven or exaggerated in certain frequencies, experimenting with placement of the front speakers or their orientation towards the listening position can alleviate some of these issues. The proximity of the speakers to room boundaries, like walls, will also affect the bass frequencies. If you find your system lacks bass, first check your connections to make sure your system is in phase, then experiment with placement. The further from the wall, the less overall bass output your system will have, but the bass will generally be better defined. If you position your speakers too close to a room boundary, the bass will typically be exaggerated and ill-defined. Adjusting your speakers to your room will generate the best results.
If you are experiencing issues with imaging, first ensure your speakers are in phase with each other. If this is the case and imaging is still an issue, moving the speakers closer together or toeing them in slightly (angling them towards the listening position) can aid in this respect. When installing a surround sound system, all the above holds true. Calibration of your speaker distances, adjusting delays and balancing your levels with an SPL meter are necessary to extract the most out of your system.
CARE OF FINISH
The Connoisseur Series cabinets should be gently cleaned with only a damp cloth and warm water from time to time, in order to remove any dust or fingerprints. Do not use an abrasive cleaner, or any type of ammonia based cleaners, or window type cleaners. To remove the dust from the grille cloth, use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner or a slightly dampened sponge or dust free cloth. Do not touch the speaker cones directly or enter them in contact with water or cleaning materials, as this can cause irreparable damage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which mounting brackets are suitable?****
They lack built-in screw holes. Whatever you choose to do, the speaker cabinets will need to have holes drilled for the screws.
Would the sound change if I turned them on their side?****
No. They appear and sound fantastic as I have them lying on their side.
What is their output wattage?****
The power output is 20 to 150W each channel.
Is Energy a good speaker brand?****
They are extremely reasonably priced and of high quality. The clearest and cleanest bookshelf speakers I’ve ever had in this price bracket, they have amazing highs and mids
Can bookshelf speakers sound as good as tower speakers?****
You can simulate the sound of a large tower speaker with bookshelf speakers and a strong subwoofer.
Are powered speakers worth it?****
Powered speakers are a good option if you have a limited amount of room, don’t want to carefully select your audio equipment, and prefer a straightforward setup.
Can you turn sound into energy?****
Through the use of the electromagnetic induction principle, sound vibrations can be converted into electrical energy. Using a magnetic field, electromagnetic induction produces electrical current.
Is a higher watt speaker better?****
Yes, it is true that speakers play louder and clearer at higher power levels (watts). However, slight variations in power don’t produce much of an audible difference. The power would need to double in order to perceptibly hear a change (a 3dB increase).
How long do powered speakers last?****
High-quality speakers typically survive up to 40–50 years before displaying any indications of degradation, depending on the materials they are composed of and the climatic conditions where the equipment is utilized.
Can I leave my powered speakers on all the time?****
Your powered speakers should be turned off after usage and should not be left on. There are a number of causes for this.
What is better passive or powered speakers?****
As soon as they leave the factory, active speakers will sound their finest. You cannot swap out the parts for greater performance because the amplifier is already incorporated into the device.
Why do expensive speakers sound better?****
A more expensive model most likely uses an intricate internal bracing framework developed after thorough testing and vibration measurements using laser interferometry.
Do speakers need burn in?****
The straightforward response is that brand-new speakers will function flawlessly without any burn-in. However, burn-in will help the speakers achieve peak performance by lengthening the suspension, enhancing the speaker’s ability to reproduce audio clearly.