Energy Take Classic 5.1

Pros: Decent appearance... Brand name... small size... ported... nice connection posts.

Cons: Didn't like to be pushed, Washed out sound missing some highs

Summary: Just about everything I've read pushed me towards the Take Classic 5.1 as an "upgrade" for my current Polk surround speakers. I have a medium sized dedicated home theater, currently configured in 7.1 with 3 subs. When the Takes arrived was mostly impressed with the overall build quality. Removable grills and black glossy laminate... good packaging. Once I inspected the speakers more closely, I noticed that the laminate coating on the speakers was wavy on some the corners and flat surfaces. I could actually make a popping/sticking sound by pressing the wavy/bubbling surfaces (sounded like the laminate was re-sticking and then dislodging from the actual speaker box). Overall, though, the physical appearance was good.... but somehow they felt more like an imitation of a true high-end finish.

I was intending to replace my current Polk Audio RM series satellites (which I happen to like a lot... based on the Take reviews I was assuming I would move parallel from their sound and up a few notches). The post screws on the Takes were solid... however the binding post housing actually got in the way of my universal speaker mount arms... so I had to cut the surface of the arms to allow the mounts' screws to properly fit in the speaker.

Fast forward to the sound test. In a few short words, I didn't like it. The sound, to me, sounded flat and relatively hollow and weak in the highs. The speakers also did not like being pushed. They have a very mellow, small sound, IMO. If I were outfitting a room roughly the size of 10X12, I might consider them. But my theater room... 17X12.... they didn't fill the space. I also was unimpressed with the sound stage that the front 3 (R,L,C) channels created.

In the end, I boxed up my Takes and shipped them back to the seller I used... and re-installed my Polks. Ah.... a breath of fresh air. I'd have to say, to my ear, my Polks far exceed the performance I experienced from the Takes. Of course, that's just my opinion. I know everyone out there has different tastes in sound. If you are looking for a bright and dynamic speaker, don't look to the Takes. And if you are looking at the Takes, then definitely give PolkAudio a fair shake. You might find the Take's suit your ears better... but it's nice to know there are options out there!