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Energy RC-70 or Paradigm Studio 60?

9371 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Billy p, Jul 30, 2009

Mordith

Discussion Starter · Jul 22, 2009

I'm planning on getting either the Energy RC-70 or Paradigm Studio 60 speakers. I have already looked at the RC-70's in the store and they sounded good although I couldn't hear much bass coming from them. It was in a large open area so it probably wasn't the ideal setup to audition speakers. I haven't been able to take a look at the Studio 60's yet but all the reviews I've read seem to indicate that they're really good speakers. The RC-70 and Studio 60's are almost the same price at around $2300 to 2500 for a pair.

I will also need to get a matching center channel speaker too. The Energy RC-LCR is quite a bit cheaper than the Paradigm CC-590. The RC-LCR is $750 and the CC-590 is $1400 CAD. Is there a huge difference in audio quality between the two that would justify paying more for the CC-590?

It would cost me about $3250 for the Energy towers plus a center or $3700 for the Paradigm setup. Which one would you guys recommend?

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mayhem13

· #2 · Jul 22, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordith /forum/post/16865375

I'm planning on getting either the Energy RC-70 or Paradigm Studio 60 speakers. I have already looked at the RC-70's in the store and they sounded good although I couldn't hear much bass coming from them. It was in a large open area so it probably wasn't the ideal setup to audition speakers. I haven't been able to take a look at the Studio 60's yet but all the reviews I've read seem to indicate that they're really good speakers. The RC-70 and Studio 60's are almost the same price at around $2300 to 2500 for a pair.

I will also need to get a matching center channel speaker too. The Energy RC-LCR is quite a bit cheaper than the Paradigm CC-590. The RC-LCR is $750 and the CC-590 is $1400 CAD. Is there a huge difference in audio quality between the two that would justify paying more for the CC-590?

It would cost me about $3250 for the Energy towers plus a center or $3700 for the Paradigm setup. Which one would you guys recommend?

Newsflash.....If you like a cherry finish, the RC-70 is on sale at Vanns for $998 per pair inc free shipping. They won't last though and i'm surprised you didn't hear enough bass as the RC has a lower F3 than the Paradigms. There must have been some bass attenuation in the signal path, or they didn't have the jumpers hooked up between the binding posts. This would completely cut off the two 6.5" woofers from the signal and in effect you would have only been listening to the midwoofer and tweeter.

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Mordith

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 22, 2009

Someone on another forum also told me about the good deal at Vanns but I live in Canada so I won't be able to take advantage of that awesome deal. Otherwise I would've bought those right away at that price and forget about the Studio 60's.

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alphaiii

· #4 · Jul 22, 2009

Check with wwstereo. They have a slightly better price on the RC-70's, and may be able to ship to Canada.

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Mordith

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 23, 2009

Thanks for the tip. I took a look and they're selling the RC-70 for a really good deal. Unfortunately they ship with UPS and I avoid UPS at all costs when buying items from the US.

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CalgaryCowboy

· #6 · Jul 23, 2009

Keep an eye out on future shop for the RC-70. I paid 2250 a couple of years back but have seen them for 1500 there a couple of times. Usually during the 25% off speakers sale on long weekends or customer appreciaton. Bass is funny with these speakers (and loudness too). They have such a clear and refined sound they sound weaker than they actually are. The built quality is such that you don't get distorion and don't seem loud until you try to talk and can't hear yourself or go elsewhere in the house and every thing is vibrating.

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Kpt_Krunch

· #7 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordith /forum/post/16872710

Thanks for the tip. I took a look and they're selling the RC-70 for a really good deal. Unfortunately they ship with UPS and I avoid UPS at all costs when buying items from the US.

That's a very smart idea. By the time you paid shipping, taxes, brokerage, custom and duty charges (they're made China) you'd be paying as much or more - with no real warranty to speak of (if you had to send them back you'd be in a hole then)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CalgaryCowboy /forum/post/16872779

Keep an eye out on future shop for the RC-70. I paid 2250 a couple of years back but have seen them for 1500 there a couple of times. Usually during the 25% off speakers sale on long weekends or customer appreciaton. Bass is funny with these speakers (and loudness too). They have such a clear and refined sound they sound weaker than they actually are. The built quality is such that you don't get distorion and don't seem loud until you try to talk and can't hear yourself or go elsewhere in the house and every thing is vibrating.

I got my RC-70's at F/S for a really good eal as well (not $1500 though, but close enough).

The RC's have been going on sale a lot in the US, but I want state this now - they're worth the retail price. For the MSRP, the RC's stack up very well as any other speaker in their range. At the sale prices, they're a no brainer.

But, like CC said, if you can hold off, wait for a F/S sale. They'll probably have on this long weekend (they're offering free shipping right now too if you don't have a F/S where you're at).

I also have the RC-LCR for my center and RC-10's are my surrounds. They sound terrific for multi-channel audio (SACD and DVD-Audio). The RC-LCR is a very underrated Center IMO, it's as good or better than most centers I've heard (including the Rocket Bigfoot that everyone raves about). For such a small speaker, it sure does play big.

Paradigm is also an excellent speaker company, and the Studios sound terrific. A bit forward in comparison to the RC line, but very neutral and all teh detail you could want. I haven't had the pleasure of hearing the V.5 series though, but from all the reviews I've read they already took a great speaker and made them even better. If you haven't had a chance, I'd still audition the Paradigms, as you may find you'll like them more anyway. Though I'd try to set up a time to hear those RC-70's in a room if possible, you'll get a better idea of how they sound, and as CC said, make sure the connections in the back are snug to the gold (color) plate. If one is loose, those drivers will not play.

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eightninesuited

· #8 · Jul 23, 2009

As an energy owner, the Paradigms are far better on the eyes. Especially the studios in rosenut. Absolutely breathtaking.

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CalgaryCowboy

· #9 · Jul 23, 2009

Kpt Krunch we have the same set up with the lcr and Rc-10's.

I did pay almost full retail for the rc 70s and am still satisfied with the value I got (shows hom much I like them). Only difference is I moved my Polk RTi10's to the back to complete the 7.1 system. When I compare the Polks to any of the RC's even the 10s the rcs blow them away. It is just a very good refined speaker, very clear. The best way to describe them is that the rc play every nuance of what is given them without allowing the sound of the speaker influence it. The polks are the opposite where rock sounds good but the rest sounds off what it should.

Next time you check them out make sure the AVR is set to stereo or pure with sub woofer off. This might be why the bass was soft since these put out alot of crystal clear base with no booming.

Nice that high end speakers are being offered at a box store where you can get deals you don't at the boutique stores.

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CalgaryCowboy

· #10 · Jul 23, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by eightninesuited /forum/post/16873552

As an energy owner, the Paradigms are far better on the eyes. Especially the studios in rosenut. Absolutely breathtaking.

Agreed. However I which I had looked at some of the other colours available on the energy as the look good to. The back ones that I have with the screens on look very plain. With the screens off is another storey and a nicer colour choice would have really showed of the metal domes and kevlar weave.

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Billy p

· #11 · Jul 30, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordith /forum/post/16865375

I'm planning on getting either the Energy RC-70 or Paradigm Studio 60 speakers. I have already looked at the RC-70's in the store and they sounded good although I couldn't hear much bass coming from them. It was in a large open area so it probably wasn't the ideal setup to audition speakers. I haven't been able to take a look at the Studio 60's yet but all the reviews I've read seem to indicate that they're really good speakers. The RC-70 and Studio 60's are almost the same price at around $2300 to 2500 for a pair.

I will also need to get a matching center channel speaker too. The Energy RC-LCR is quite a bit cheaper than the Paradigm CC-590. The RC-LCR is $750 and the CC-590 is $1400 CAD. Is there a huge difference in audio quality between the two that would justify paying more for the CC-590?

It would cost me about $3250 for the Energy towers plus a center or $3700 for the Paradigm. setup. Which one would you guys recommend?

I believe that you decided on the studio 60's...

Regards, Bill...

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