EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Bookshelf Speaker Package - Short Review

Finding a home theater speaker system that sounds great, looks great with your home decor, and is priced right, is not always easy. If you are looking for new set of loudspeakers for your home theater, you might want to check out the stylish and great sounding EMP Tek Impression 5.1 Home Theater Package. The system consists of an E5Ci center channel speaker, four E5Bi compact bookshelf speakers for left and right main and surrounds, and an ES10i 100 watt powered subwoofer.

After reading this short review, also check out my Full Review and supplementary Photo Gallery

The first thing I want to mention about the speakers in the EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Channel Bookshelf Home Theater Speaker Package is that they are stylish, available in either a high gloss black or red burl finish that can easily complement already-established room decor.

Of course, although how a speaker looks in your environment can be an important part of a buying decision, it is definitely not the most important. In terms of performance the EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Channel Bookshelf Home Theater Speaker Package did not disappoint. The system delivered clear sound across a wide range of frequencies and very well-balanced surround sound image. I would say that they were just a touch more subdued that the Klipsch comparison system I used for this review (see full review for details).

The E5Ci center channel speaker produced very good dialog and vocal presence and blended well with the rest of the system. Good examples of mid-range vocal reproduction was on Norah Jones distinctive rendition of Don't Know Why, the Dave Matthews/Blue Man Group's Sing Along, and Al Stewart's natural sounding vocal on The Immelman Turn.

The E5Bi bookshelf speakers, which were used as both left and right mains and surrounds, performed their job well. Although more compact than the center channel speaker, they held their own in projecting sound for both front and surround tasks, and balanced well with both the E5Ci center speaker and the ES10 subwoofer.

The E5Bi's did a great job with surround effects in several notable with movie scenes, such as the first battle scene from Master and Commander, the arrow assault scene in Hero, the echo game scene from House of the Flying Daggers, as well as the surround content from music sources, such as the SACD version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon and the DVD-Audio version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

I found the ES10i powered subwoofer to be an excellent match for the rest of the speakers. With its 10-inch front facing driver and downfiring port, the subwoofer provided very good lower frequency response, as well good low frequency transition from the mid-range and high-frequency response of the E5Ci and E5Bi. The bass response was fairly tight and complemented both music and movie tracks appropriately, providing good bass effect, without being too boomy.

There is not much to complain about the EMP Tek Impression Series Bookshelf Home Theater Speaker Package. A good combination of style, performance, and price make this package a good deal for those that may not be able to afford a high-end speaker system, but don't want to settle for inferior bargain priced big-box offerings.

The EMP Tek Impression Series 5.1 Channel Bookshelf Home Theater Speaker Package is definitely worth consideration. I give this speaker package a solid 4 out of 5 Star Rating.

For additional perspective, check out my Full Review and supplementary Photo Gallery.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.