Energy C-1's are excellent speakers. To my ear, they sound better than the Q1's. The quality of the Energy's is top-notch, and given their very modest retail $, they are an absolute steal. They are more coherant than the KEF Q1's. The Kef's probably go a little lower in the bass dept., but above that the Energy's are superior, IMO. Recently picked up their discounted XL-15 bookshelf speaker and I'm very impressed by that speaker as well. While auditioning the various Energy spks. @ the dealer (before purchasing the C-1/XL-15) I though the C-1 was a better sounding spk. than the larger C-3 bookshelf. Be sure to audition a pair for yourself. They are all made in beautiful Canada from start to finish, I believe. The Kef's are extremely fine spks. as well.
Question on KEF speakers
does anyone know what changes this company has gone thru in the past 10 years, supposedly there quality had gone down hill and now they are coming back as a quality name once again???? The reason I ask is, im looking at some of there cheaper bookshelves, the Q1's, I want to find a great sounding bookshelf that is made by a speaker company that is all proprietary. Any names out there that make there own cabinet, drivers, tweeters and have excellent quality? I have looked at KEF, M&K and a few others that i can afford. Im looking to spend around 500.00 for the 2 fronts in a 5.1 system. Please reccomend some speaker companies that have been around forever that make there entire product from start to finish. thanks much for the feedback