Paradigm Titan Monitor vs Mini Monitor v5 for fronts

Hi everyone,
I've read all the threads on this topic and I didn't find an answer that fits what I'm looking for.

My local shop has the Titan Monitor and Mini Monitor v5 speakers on sale right now and I want to know which would be a better speaker for using as my fronts? For a centre I'm thinking of using the cc290. Now I know the mini monitors are 6.5" like the cc290 which should match well, however I really do like the sound of the Titans, loud/clear/good bass.

However, I haven't heard the v5 titans vs mini's side by side as they're not setup in the store that way, hence I need some help here. I've read on this forum that the mid bass is "bloated" on the titans? Is this for real? I expect more bass from the titans as they're 7.5" vs. 6.5".

Would the cc290 match well with the titans? the cc390 is way too huge. If anyone can shed some light on this to help me decide I'd appreciate it! Hopefully someone faced a similar decision recently.

Edit: I already have a subwoofer (svs pb-10) hence I'm looking at bookshelves instead of floor standers. For the amp, I'm using an old Yamaha (HTIB) for now until I upgrade to the onkyo 606/706 (still deciding).

How do I do that? Ask the dealer for an home audition? I take it that bloated means the mid bass has a spike in the FR right?

What about matching the Titan to the cc290 is that an issue?

This will be my first entry into the mid entry speaker line, hence I want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff. Thanks!

Cool, good to know the 290 will match well regardless. I already have a sub, the svs pb-10 which is rocking my condo. My condo is pretty much open concept so my living room is in a 20x40 open concept room, with one quarter of the room boxed off by the kitchen (it has walls). Currently I'm using some cheap Precision Acoustics speakers from Bestbuy I got on sale during boxing day.


Studio 20's cost $1k/pair, I don't blame you for not wasting that money on surrounds. I do listen to a fair bit of 2 channel music, but always with the sub on. Because my condo is open concept, it would be great if the room can be filled with good clean sound. Any idea why the speakers are white in colour? That looks a bit strange ... haha.

As for the 706? What processing does it have that the 606 doesn't? I think it has multi eq (8 point setup) vs 2eq (2 point setup), is that right? Also have you compared your studio 20's vs the mini monitors? I was thinking of getting used studio 20's but the matching centre is impossible to find and I couldn't justify spending 1k on a centre channel! I'd be curious of how they compare vs each other. Did you buy the matching centre as well?


Hey Rodk, Very cool, I'm not too worried about the bass since I have the sub. Are the mini monitors rear ported? Why was that an issue? Did you have to put them right against the wall? Is there any diff b/w rear vs front ported speakers? I'll get the rear speakers at a later time.


Tboe, your system is pretty much the same thing I'm planning to make. We have the same speakers. My room is definately a medium sized room. Thanks for the tips, it looks like I should go for the Titans. I can get them for $400/pair, while the mini's are $300.

It sounds like everyone likes the Titans, and no one that actually owns it are complaining about that alleged mid bass bloat. Great!!

Wlee:

It sounds like you got a great deal for the studio package. I can't spend 2k right now, 1k is more my budget hence my interest in the monitor line.

I was considering the 706 b/c of the preouts (for future proofing) and they're thx certfied 4ohm stable, which may be useful if I upgrade my spekaers again.

Very cool that people can give advice here!

[quote=RodK;14751195]
Thanks for the pics man, your home is beautiful, I understand your rationale now. Cheers!

Hey,
Yeah I can't find anything online about this comparison (google does NOT know all) hence I started it. It's great that others are willing to share their experiences and give advice recommendations.

Once I have more $$$ I can always upgrade to studios and use the Titans as my rears as Wlee did so this money won't be wasted at all.

Just came back from a stereo shop that happened to carry PSBs and Paradigms and did an A/B comparison of the mini monitors vs the B25. Interestingly, I did find the soundstage to be a bit bigger on the PSBs and the tweeter/highs were better as well. On "Billy Jean" by MJ, you could hear the shakers percussion instrument much clearer.

Talk about confusing myself, I'm not talking about a night & day difference at all, just better highs, the bass would be better on the Titans vs the Mini's so can't really make that comparison. I also love the look of the Paradigms in rosenut while the psbs are a bit plain looking.

Just some more info for ppl to chew on, as the search continues

I forgot to listen to the dipoles, but that will be for another day anyway as I'm only buying the front 3 anyway.

Guys,
Yeah the images are 6 ohms as well. The cd I brought didn't work so I wasn't really listening to music I listen to (rnb, hip hop, house, salsa, some jazz). So I gotta reaudition with my cd's working..haha

Either way, I may still go paradigm as the difference was very subtle, while the looks of the Paradigms are much nicer.

Very cool, I'm leaning towards the Titans but I will give the PSBs one more try this weekend and make the final call.

Yeah I don't really trust salesmen either. I prefer to do my own research/read msg boards.

Update fellas: I've done the a/b comparison of Monitor series vs Image (PSB) and I've decided on the PSBs now. Both are great speakers, I just found the overall range better of the PSBs and clearer/more detailed highs.

My system I'm ordering is t45/c40/ b15 or s50s (not sure if dipoles are worth the $ yet - still deciding) this weekend.

Thanks for all of the help, I still love the look of the paradigms, but in the end I wanted that *slightly* better SQ (for my personal tastes).

Hope this info helps others on the board.