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Made the leap..Thanks to all of you!

post #1 of 18
4/23/12 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
Let me first say, thanks for all the feedback and help with looking for a starter home audio system. Listened to a ton of manufactures in the last 3 days. People are not lying when they say "listen to them" before you buy. Today I spend 4 hours in my local HT store and left very satisfied. Listened to speakers from, Polk & Klipsch (two different HT shops) to Monitor, B&W, KEF and everything in between. Different music, Metallica, GnR & Adele, than scenes from Fantastic Four and Tron. What a difference in sound between all those Brands. All very good but one set blew me away. Here is what I settled on.

Fronts: Paradigm Mini Monitors (sound was simply amazing)
Center: Paradigm Cinema 400, (needed something slim-depth wise, to fit a on fireplace mantle) would have liked to go with full size center but didn't have the space.
Sub: Paradigm PDR-100 (only part im worried about. Sounded good, but not sure it has enough to fill my 15x20 room)
Receiver: Pioneer Elite SVX-40 (didn't have budget for Yamaha Advantage or Marantz)

Everything cost around $1500. Could have saved some probably by ordering some stuff online, but CS was excellent and its super close. Nice to have local people who care.
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post #2 of 18
4/23/12 at 1:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CtrlAltElite View Post

Let me first say, thanks for all the feedback and help with looking for a starter home audio system. Listened to a ton of manufactures in the last 3 days. People are not lying when they say "listen to them" before you buy. Today I spend 4 hours in my local HT store and left very satisfied. Listened to speakers from, Polk & Klipsch (two different HT shops) to Monitor, B&W, KEF and everything in between. Different music, Metallica, GnR & Adele, than scenes from Fantastic Four and Tron. What a difference in sound between all those Brands. All very good but one set blew me away. Here is what I settled on.

Fronts: Paradigm Mini Monitors (sound was simply amazing)
Center: Paradigm Cinema 400, (needed something slim-depth wise, to fit a on fireplace mantle) would have liked to go with full size center but didn't have the space.
Sub: Paradigm PDR-100 (only part im worried about. Sounded good, but not sure it has enough to fill my 15x20 room)
Receiver: Pioneer Elite SVX-40 (didn't have budget for Yamaha Advantage or Marantz)

Everything cost around $1500. Could have saved some probably by ordering some stuff online, but CS was excellent and its super close. Nice to have local people who care.

Looks good, my only concern is the same as yours... that subwoofer. If you could return that piece and get an ID subwoofer, I think you'd be super happy with the setup.
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post #3 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:05pm
The sub does not have to be from the same speaker line to match, so yes you could get better value by taking it back and getting an ID sub.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html
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post #4 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
hmm. That sucks. Let me ask this: Are there better subs on amazon or newegg that are better for the price or slightly higher in price? I haven't picked the sub up yet, so I don't have to take it.
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post #5 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CtrlAltElite View Post

hmm. That sucks. Let me ask this: Are there better subs on amazon or newegg that are better for the price or slightly higher in price? I haven't picked the sub up yet, so I don't have to take it.

What are you paying for that subwoofer?
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post #6 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CtrlAltElite View Post

hmm. That sucks. Let me ask this: Are there better subs on amazon or newegg that are better for the price or slightly higher in price? I haven't picked the sub up yet, so I don't have to take it.

Is there a reason you dont want to buy from an ID brand?
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post #7 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:34pm
Thread Starter 
It was built in a package format and discounted. Breakdown was I believe $375 for the sub.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 View Post

Is there a reason you dont want to buy from an ID brand?

Not specifically, other than the fact I like to read the reviews on certain things. Going to a website to purchase something with nothing else to go on other than someones word, is iffy.
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post #8 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:40pm
Ctrl, I was in same boat as you. These guys talked me out of a store sub and into buying ID. I now have a SVS PB12-NSD and could not be happier! Got it last Thursday after only a 3 day wait. There are so many ID options that will complement your new system. Good Luck and Happy Sub Hunting!
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post #9 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CtrlAltElite View Post

It was built in a package format and discounted. Breakdown was I believe $375 for the sub.

Not specifically, other than the fact I like to read the reviews on certain things. Going to a website to purchase something with nothing else to go on other than someones word, is iffy.

Nothing wrong with the id subs. Check the sub section to see user reviews
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post #10 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:44pm
I'd back out of the sub purchase. It's 120 watt amplifier with a 10 inch driver. It's not going to have much output. It probably cost Paradigm ~$100 to make.

You've done great so far, listening to speakers before you purchase. With a sub, listening isn't so important. Actual performance and specs are. Get a 12" ported subwoofer with a bit more amp and output to the low 20's in hz.
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post #11 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:49pm
I don't think you would have done a lot better for the price. Depends on how musical the Paradigm PDR-100 is. There are certainly good HT 12" subs for that price that will greatly exceed the volume output of your sub. But you probably could have gotten something close to equivalent in a 10" sub for a little bit less money.

The big benefit would have been spending more for the Rythmik FV12 or the Epik Legend. Definitely much better choices for your room size and for HT usage.
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post #12 of 18
4/23/12 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CtrlAltElite View Post

It was built in a package format and discounted. Breakdown was I believe $375 for the sub.



Not specifically, other than the fact I like to read the reviews on certain things. Going to a website to purchase something with nothing else to go on other than someones word, is iffy.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/18...er-test-review


You need to up your budget about $200 to step up the performance.
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post #13 of 18
4/23/12 at 3:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

I don't think you would have done a lot better for the price. Depends on how musical the Paradigm PDR-100 is. There are certainly good HT 12" subs for that price that will greatly exceed the volume output of your sub. But you probably could have gotten something close to equivalent in a 10" sub for a little bit less money.

The big benefit would have been spending more for the Rythmik FV12 or the Epik Legend. Definitely much better choices for your room size and for HT usage.

I disagree. I believe one could do MUCH better for the price than the paradigm for all listening endeavors. Subs aren't just musical or for HT...
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post #14 of 18
4/23/12 at 3:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mannoiaj View Post

I disagree. I believe one could do MUCH better for the price than the paradigm for all listening endeavors. Subs aren't just musical or for HT...

So why didn't you suggest any? It's likely that the Energy S10.3 is better in SPL and low frequency range, but without knowing anything about how the PDR-100 would compare on SQ, I wouldn't suggest he take it back and lose the discount on the setup for the difference. There are better 12" subs for HT use, but he's liking how his setup sounds for music. No guarantee that something like the BIC PL-200 would sound better. What do you suggest specifically (not just get another sub) without knowing how that sub sounds and the discount he's getting on the package?
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post #15 of 18
4/23/12 at 4:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mannoiaj View Post

I disagree. I believe one could do MUCH better for the price than the paradigm for all listening endeavors. Subs aren't just musical or for HT...

well I appreciate your thoughts. I would have thought the same thing. But with the amount of time listening, they sounded the best with the budget I had for the music I listen to. I actually brought in cd's of the music I listen two and compared that way.
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post #16 of 18
4/23/12 at 4:09pm
Pretty sure I'm about to pick some some Mini Monitor's tomorrow as well. Still struggling between them or the Atom's. The Atom's would make for great surrounds later down the line..
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post #17 of 18
4/23/12 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by haargerman View Post

Pretty sure I'm about to pick some some Mini Monitor's tomorrow as well. Still struggling between them or the Atom's. The Atom's would make for great surrounds later down the line..

I actually liked the Atoms a fraction more. But I have a 15x20 room with a staircase leading up, a opening to the dining room and a large opening leading to the hallway. Thats why I went with the Larger Mini's, which aren't really that mini. Both were fantastic though.
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post #18 of 18
4/23/12 at 7:49pm
You did well on your purchase. This is hard to make a decision to spend your money. But I have to agree with the others here. Even if you lose the package deal, your money will be better spent on an ID sub. Your call, your money. But you will get more oompf for your money with most ID companys.

Jeff
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