Energy helped redefine the surround speaker category when it first launched the Take family, which combined the small size of traditional satellite speakers with an audio performance that rivaled far larger, more expensive bookshelf and floor-standing systems. Energy has further refined its efforts on the second go round, resulting in the Take 5.2 speaker system, which includes four satellite speakers (two each for the front and rear channels) and a center-channel speaker for the dialogue. Whether you're listening to a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster, a low-budget indie, or your favorite jazz CD, the system produces warm, enveloping audio with a big sound.

The satellites each boast a 3.5-inch long-throw homopolymer/aluminum cone woofer with a rubber surround to handle the low and mid ranges and a 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter for the highs. The center speaker, meanwhile, distinguishes itself with a second matching woofer. The entire system's audio performance is seamless and crisp, with perfect timbre, tonal balance, and accuracy. It performs particularly well when teamed with an Energy subwoofer, which is designed to round out the low-frequencies in a 5.1-channel setup.

Listeners will also appreciate the sleek design and compact size of each speaker. The center speaker is far smaller than many comparable units, with a black-finished chassis that measures a mere 11 inches wide and 4.25 inches tall. The white-colored satellites, meanwhile, check in at 4 inches wide and 6.75 inches tall, making them ideal for rooms with limited space. Users can even mount them on a wall or in a ceiling corner to fully maximize the installation possibilities. Plus, the speakers are magnetically shielded against video interference, so they won't distort the TV picture regardless of where they sit.

Additional features include five-way binding post speaker connections, which ensure a high-quality signal transfer; a frequency response of 80 Hz to 20 kHz; a nominal 8 ohm impedance; and a recommended power handling of 15 to 100 watts RMS. The entire system is backed by a generous five-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Four satellite speakers, center-channel speaker, user's manual.