[wbraunlein]

Hi All,


I am brand new to the world of high-end speakers and I don't have a lot of money to play around with. But I saved (and saved and saved) and just purchased a Yamaha rx-v765 and 2 Paradigm Mini Monitors to get started. I LOVE them, and I think they are perfect for my needs (I live in a semi-detached house [w/nice neighbors!], and have a baby on the way). That being said, I'm already wondering if I might upgrade them in the (far off) future, using them as rears...?


Anyway, due to the space we have I have the speakers on a shelf directly above our (42') tv. I really don't have any options to spread them out any further, so I was wondering how much I should think about investing in the Center speaker? I will be sticking with Paradigm, but does it make sense to go easy on the center (cc190) and invest in other speakers, or should I still consider the 290, or even 390?


Thanks!


will

 

[wbraunlein]

Any help or comments appreciated...?

 

[Pelly_NV]

The vast majority of your sound will be coming from your center channel so it makes sense to spend accordingly. I just upgraded the center channel in my Definitive ProCinema 600 set to the ProCenter 1000 today and am blown away by the difference. Best $220 I've spent in awhile.


If you need to cut corners, your rear surrounds would be the first place I'd look.

 

[wbraunlein]

Thanks! This really helps. I was sort of under the impression the center acted more as a back up to the fronts.

 

[Bigham16]

Do you listen to more music or movies/TV? The word on the street is most like 2 channel for music. For movies and TV I would suggest on getting a center. It will add TONS to your movies and TV watching. Hope that helps.


Oh...and get a matching center to go along with your fronts.

 

[wbraunlein]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigham16 /forum/post/18231615


Do you listen to more music or movies/TV? The word on the street is most like 2 channel for music. For movies and TV I would suggest on getting a center. It will add TONS to your movies and TV watching. Hope that helps.


Oh...and get a matching center to go along with your fronts.

50/50 music/TV


I'll definitely be getting a center in the future, I just didn't know if it made sense to invest more $$ in other speakers since the fronts are so close together.

 

[flickhtguru]

Can you provide a picture or diagram of what your current setup is? If you can there are many smart and creative people on here that might have some ideas for you to try.

 

[DougMorgan]

Talk to your Paradigm dealer and see what the trade up policy is. With paradigm (and maybe similar brands as well) it seems to be common to be able to trade up without any penalty for up to 30 days -- in other words your full price would be applied to a higher model.


Note though that the CC290 is the recommended centre channel with the minis ( http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-2-4.paradigm# ).


If you do have the ability to trade up you could start with the CC190 and work up from there -- give it a good work out with a couple decent action flicks and see what you think. A very large portion of the sound is handled by the centre channel and paired with a decent subwoofer you'll be in business, movie wise. The centre channel may or may not be used for music depending on how you set the amp.


If you are thinking of moving up for the centre speakers I wouldn't bother with the CC190 and would start with the CC290.


I'd also recommend taking a look at the paradigm surrounds as they have a few features that may make them more attractive as surrounds rather than the minis. For home theater and depending on the subwoofer you already have it may give you more bang to upgrade the Sub rather than the front speakers.

Doug

 

[wbraunlein]

Thanks for the interest & suggestions!


Right now I'm just starting with the Minis as fronts and saving up for a sub, (a decent sub), then center, then decide on what to do about the rears & surrounds.


I was just trying to sketch out a long-term plan and wasn't sure how necessary (or redundant) a center would be since the fronts are so close together.


I also talked to my dealer today when I picked up the Minis (he gave me the floor demos on loan until the rosenut ones came in) and he told me the center will have audio the fronts won't pick up, and that it will take some of the load off the fronts, freeing them up for other sounds.


So I guess its all equally important, theres really no place you can skimp...

 

[DougMorgan]

Dialog tends to be much clearer through the center rather than front speakers.