Paradigm Owners Thread - Page 897

Originally Posted by dannybenz 

Yeah, I don't disagree that there is sibilance with the combo, but IMHO, it isn't to the point where it is harsh. What I did was, I cut a piece of Kleenex the size of the tweeter and put it in between the grill and the tweeter. I helped remove some of the sibilance. It's still there, but doesn't bother me. Maybe one day I will try some Parasound Halo's, if I don't end up with new speakers first. BTW I feel the same way when people pair Klipsch horn loaded speakers with an Emotiva. Emotiva isn't the end all be all of amps, but dollar for dollar, they are hard, almost impossible to beat.

I'm in the process of selling my speakers, so I made my first demo video of my setup before we part ways.

Originally Posted by dannybenz 

I'm glad to see many people like the Emotiva/Paradigm Signature combo. Some people have said it was way too harsh, or that the Emotiva doesn't stand up to Signatures. HA!.

I don't think the XPA amps have any fans, so they'll ever come on.

Originally Posted by deltadube 

i dont think the xpa 3 has a fan .... lol wow s8 top dog speaker.. nice.. way too much for my budget ..

you might want that new amp when it comes out for those..

cheers..

Originally Posted by dannybenz 

Yeah you are right about impedance swings based on frequency. I am no expert either I learn mostly everything from the forums. But I am basing my impedance measurements from Stereophile's (or other similar publication). They actually measured the Studio 60 to dip all the way down to 3.6 ohms, with an "average" or nominal of 6 ohms. The S8 v.2 was measured by HT magazine to dip to 4.2 ohms, and they said it was also a 6 ohm nominal speaker. My C3 dips to 3.3 ohms, and has a nominal (average) of 5 ohms. These are the actual measured impedance numbers. So Paradigm claims "compatible with 8 ohms" as to mean 8 ohm nominal, but usually they are off by a good margin. As I have stated in a earlier post a few pages back, it is my assumption that Paradigm does this in an attempt to not scare away people from driving them with a receiver (Anthem MRX-X00) or those who can't afford to buy a good amp from buying their speakers. However, Paradigm speakers are not easy to drive. That is the truth.

Originally Posted by Tank_PD 

I completely disagree that they are hard to drive. Their sensitivity rating suggests otherwise. Electrostatics, now there is a speaker you could claim is legitimately hard to drive. I've linked a post straight from an Anthem / Paradigm rep have heard the MRX-500 driving the S8s full range with absolutely no problems and deep bass. But I suppose nothing will change your mind if you've already purchased an expensive amp.

Originally Posted by dannybenz 

Yeah, I don't disagree that there is sibilance with the combo, but IMHO, it isn't to the point where it is harsh. What I did was, I cut a piece of Kleenex the size of the tweeter and put it in between the grill and the tweeter. I helped remove some of the sibilance. It's still there, but doesn't bother me. Maybe one day I will try some Parasound Halo's, if I don't end up with new speakers first. BTW I feel the same way when people pair Klipsch horn loaded speakers with an Emotiva. Emotiva isn't the end all be all of amps, but dollar for dollar, they are hard, almost impossible to beat.

I'm in the process of selling my speakers, so I made my first demo video of my setup before we part ways.

Originally Posted by dannybenz 

I didn't say they were hard to drive. I said they weren't easy. Here is a link to actual measurements of Sigs, exactly the ones I have: http://www.hometheater.com/content/paradigm-signature-surround-speaker-system-measurements. FWIW I had a Pioneer Elite(non SC) receiver driving them, and it went into protect mode (completely shut off) during the first robbery scene in Snatch on Bluray. That means I was way beyond clipping.

As to your comment about nothing will change my mind if I spent a lot on amps, my amps were not expensive. I paid less for 3 UPA-1, a UPA-2 and a UMC-1 combined than the top of the line(at the time) Pioneer SC-27 receiver alone. I sold my upgrade card from the UMC-1 and my total out of pocket for all amps and the pre/pro was 1400. Pioneer SC-27 had an MSRP of $2200, but could be had for around $1500. I was going to upgrade to the class D SC-27 after that scare, but went the Emotiva route, as it was around the same $, and more real world power. How much does an MRX-500 that was driving the S8's go for?

Originally Posted by Tank_PD 

Around $1500 for the MRX500. Many people option to go for the 300 model and put the $1K towards a 5-channel amp.

Originally Posted by Tank_PD 

Around $1500 for the MRX500. Many people option to go for the 300 model and put the $1K towards a 5-channel amp.

Originally Posted by Ricoflashback 

From my understanding, "separates" or an amp solution is suppose to be the "be all, end all" of HT setup.

I personally run an old, vintage pair of Studio 60. V.2's with a CC690, 2 ADP 590's and a pair of Orb Mod2's as back surrounds (due to space restrictions) in a 7.1 configuration.

I upgraded a couple months ago to the Pioneer SC65 9.2 receiver (130 wpc) and have bi-amped my front left & right speakers. I have no problem, whatsover, in driving the speakers with this AVR & setup.

Maybe it's because I do not listen at real loud levels, but even when mama is out of the house and I can crank them up - - there have been no issues, whatsoever.

Is it a personal preference to go to separates? Do people have any problems driving their speakers with just an AVR like I do? Is there such a thing as an optimal "power" setup for Paradigm speakers?

Originally Posted by xirtam2005 

I need help deciding between Paradigm Studio 10 vs. Paradigm Signature S1 for 2.0 apartment/condo system.

I have the Paradigm MilleniaOne 5.0 System with a Paradigm Seismic 110 Sub EQ'd with PBK that I was very happy with and used in my house, but work took me on a 2-year assignment that requires apartment/condo style living, so having a sub is not an option. The MilleniaOne satellites without a sub is just not going to work.

I'm trying to decide between the Studio 10s or the Sig S1s as mains. I was very happy with the MilleniaOne/Seismic 110 combo, but I just want to make sure that whatever I buy is at the very least as good, but preferably better than the MilleniaOnes in terms of sound (detail, clarity, imaging, etc.)

I can afford the Sig S1s just fine, but I have two toddler boys, and the curved shape of the S1s and the way the grill attaches to the speaker make me think the Studios would be more durable, not to mention cheaper to repair, from toddler boys. With that being said, I do not want the sound to go downhill in anyway from what I have, except that there will be much less bass below 60 Hz, which is what is needed.

I know the Sig S1s will be best in terms of sound quality, but how do the Studio 10s compare to the MilleniaOnes in the frequency range the MilleniaOnes can produce? Are they similar, or is one clearly superior, or do they have strenghts in different areas?

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by Obsidians 

I've got the S1s, but I don't have the Studio 10s or MilleniaOnes here to compare. My understanding is that the Studio 10s would be just straight up better than the MilleniaOnes throughout their range. They're just much bigger, obviously. And the S1s are again just better throughout, but quite a bit more expensive. I think either of them are going to pretty soundly crush the much smaller Millenias. I'm pretty sure that they're each going to be strictly better than the series below them, that's kind of the idea.

The S1s are not exceptionally stable, I guess. Just gave one a little poke, and it kinda wobbles, but that's mostly because the feet are rubber so they're kinda squishy. A rampaging toddler could probably knock one over. On the other hand, they're metal vs MDF for the Studios, so they're probably a bit more resilient if they do tip over a bit. The grill on them is magnetic, so it's actually probably a bit safer, in my opinion. If it gets knocked, it'll just fall off, versus possibly breaking something off the speaker. I tried crossing them over at 60, but they sound better at 80, so I'd say their extension ends somewhere around there. I can dig out my room correction graphs, if that would help at all.

Originally Posted by icroyal 

Also looking at getting 20s and cc490. But I'm really debating on surround. Just curious on your thoughts on why you're looking at getting 10s for surround vs getting bi-directional surrounds. Haven't done a lot of research on bi-directional surrounds so just looking to hear people's thoughts.

Originally Posted by HeffeMusic 

Hello,
I have Studio 20s v5, studio 10s for surrounds and a cc490 in the center. The combination sounds amazing paired with a Rythmik 12se! Anthem MRX 700 AVR.

Originally Posted by CHASLS2 

That is a great system you have there.

Originally Posted by HeffeMusic 

Thanks! It really does sound amazing. I am actually thinking about getting Sonus Faber Veneres? But this system sounds so good it is holding me back!

Originally Posted by Obsidians 

I've got the S1s, but I don't have the Studio 10s or MilleniaOnes here to compare. My understanding is that the Studio 10s would be just straight up better than the MilleniaOnes throughout their range. They're just much bigger, obviously. And the S1s are again just better throughout, but quite a bit more expensive. I think either of them are going to pretty soundly crush the much smaller Millenias. I'm pretty sure that they're each going to be strictly better than the series below them, that's kind of the idea.

The S1s are not exceptionally stable, I guess. Just gave one a little poke, and it kinda wobbles, but that's mostly because the feet are rubber so they're kinda squishy. A rampaging toddler could probably knock one over. On the other hand, they're metal vs MDF for the Studios, so they're probably a bit more resilient if they do tip over a bit. The grill on them is magnetic, so it's actually probably a bit safer, in my opinion. If it gets knocked, it'll just fall off, versus possibly breaking something off the speaker. I tried crossing them over at 60, but they sound better at 80, so I'd say their extension ends somewhere around there. I can dig out my room correction graphs, if that would help at all.

Originally Posted by xirtam2005 


That's what I'm worried about. Do you have the official Paradigm matching stand for the S1s? If so, do you know if the stands can be filled with sand (to weigh them down) and also screw/bolt into the bottom of the Sig S1 speakers? If so, that combo might be able to withstand a toddler. If there is no way to weigh down the stands and secure them to the speaker (other than just resting with rubber feet), then this speaker is not an option.

Originally Posted by xirtam2005 

That's what I'm worried about. Do you have the official Paradigm matching stand for the S1s? If so, do you know if the stands can be filled with sand (to weigh them down) and also screw/bolt into the bottom of the Sig S1 speakers? If so, that combo might be able to withstand a toddler. If there is no way to weigh down the stands and secure them to the speaker (other than just resting with rubber feet), then this speaker is not an option.

Originally Posted by weird 23 

Yes the GS30 stands can be filled with sand. The speaker attach's to the stands through the back of the speaker, not the bottom as the bottom of the speaker is curved.

Originally Posted by Obsidians 

In my case, I've got them resting on a rather wide media unit:



So they're quite a bit more secure than stands or even floorstanders would be. That's worked well enough so far. They certainly have mounting holes on the bottom, so I can confirm that at least. They're just on the feet because they're sitting on wood.

As noted above, yes, I believe it is possible to fill the stand with sand or something similar in order to make them very bottom-heavy. Depending on how aggressive your toddlers are, and where they are in the room, that could work out reasonably well.

Originally Posted by xirtam2005 


So the S1s can actually be physically attached to the stand vs. just resting on or in it? Can they easily be knocked off the stands, or are the actually screwed or secured to the stand, such that the whole speaker and stand assembly would need to be brought down? If that's the case and they can be filled with sand to weigh them down, then I should consider these. How much better is the sound quality for the S1s vs. the Studio 10s?

For example, assuming all three speakers had the same sub properly EQ'd and crossovered, and if the S1s were rated a 100, what would the Studio 10s and the MilleniaOnes be, respectively?