[gergg]

OK, I am pretty seriously considering a Paradigm home theater speaker setup. I do not want a seperate subwoofer (don't have the space and don't need that much low frequency bass). I also want towers in front, so...

My choices are...

1) a pair of Legends in front, a cc170 center and adp170's in back, or

2) a pair of Monitor 70p's in front, a cc350 in center and a pair of adp350's in back.

Now I know that the second setup is way more expensive and should be better, but I want to know if anyone can tell me specifics about either setup and reasons why one might be better than the other in a small room environment.

Also, I know I should listen to them myself, but nobody has them setup for me to do that. There is one dealer that may setup one of the two scenarios for me, but only if I am "ready to buy," and I feel weird about that.

BTW, I will be using them with a Pioneer Elite 26TX receiver. Please help with any advice. Thanks.

-Gergg

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

I have the 350CC center speaker with

Mini-monitors,the bookcase sub,I

can't remember the model of my dipoles

by Paradigm...My brother has the same

center,towers with two of the 6 1/2

inch woofers and Mini-monitors for

surrounds.We liked the sound of all

the paradigm speakers that used the

6 1/2 inch woofs.We thought the towers

that used the 8 inch woofers sounded

a little less clear.The 6 1/2 woofs,

which is what the center uses,sounded

superior to us,quick and very responsive.Sorry I can't remember the

model #s of the towers.I'd get one of

their small subs,and get a model with

the 6 1/2 woofers.The 8 inch woof

monitor,can't remember the model #,

similarly sounded a bit muddy to me.

I picked the smaller Mini-monitors!

I think smaller woofers often have an

advantage,if you have a sub to do the

bass.....My two-cents worth.......


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[gergg]

Thanks,

Actually, I got to listen to the Legends, which have the 6.5" Woofer and a 10" subwoofer built in, and they sounded very good. I am looking for floor standing towers with subwoofers built in so my choices are limited. Like I said, I could have gone with the Monitor 70P setup, but I figured I would listen to the Legend setup first.

Although the Legends did not "blow me away", they sounded as good or better than any other $1500 per pair or less speakers I listened to so far. And since they are actually list at $899 a pair they are a great value. Also, as far as the entire 5 speaker setup goes, using the cc170 and adp170s also saves a bunch of money. I definitely agree with most things I read saying the cc170 is worth much more than they cost and are damn good at any price. I did not listen to the adp170s but I have read good things and will give them a try.

I plan on buying the Legend setup and installing it in a week or two. I will post the results then.

Thanks everyone.


-Gergg

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Definitely consider the CC 350 center

speaker! In Pro-logic,AC-3,and DTS

this is the most important speaker.


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[Brian Florian]

I am very familiar with almost all the Paradigm models and can say that as you transition from the 'Performance Series' to the 'Monitor Series' you are gaining:

-An appreciable increase in detail and accuracy

-Better power handling

-Less dynamic compression at the high outputs

Having heard models from both, in my opinion the extra for the Monitors is well worth it.


Both series offer above average value for the prices they are asking, I just want you to be aware of the incremental performance gains of stretching to some Monitors.


Both the Legend and the Monitor 70P are good and extend the bass appreciably beyond their respective counter parts (Phantom or Monitor 7) but neither will be sufficient on their own for home theater 'slam'. Then again, it would be bitchin' to have either powered towers in addition to a dedicated sub down the road.


Also, as a cost saving idea, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with using Monitor models up front and performance in the rear. I was very happy for several years using a CC-350, Mini-Monitor combination up front and Titans in the rear (all supported by a sub)

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Gergg,try those mini-monitors with the

CC-350.It's an excellent front.Like I

said before,I didn't like the sound of

the 8 inch monitors or towers.Having

those same 6 1/2 inch speakers across

the front makes a very seamless stage.

Then just add a sub,my brother got the

12 inch front firing one,Paradigm.But,

if you like another brand...It is much

easier to adjust one sub in a room. It

can get tricky with two,especially

smaller rooms...Standing waves can

occur,if you've never experienced one,

it's a spot in the room where the bass

is distorting sorta. Move away from the spot and the sound is normal....

It's weird!Well, I recommend the 350

center with Mini-Monitors or the

towers with two woofs....Remember the

center is mucho importante in theater!


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[gergg]

Rachael,

I know the Legends have 6 1/2 inch speakers and the cc170 has matching ones. I know the Legend's built in subwoofers are good enough for what I need and I can always add another one later.

I don't know if you have heard the Legends, but they sound different from the other performance lines, I think because the stress taken off by the powered subs. I really want towers with subs built in and I didn't like the sound of the Monitor 7's too much. They sounded a little loose and low end biased to me. I am sure the CC350 is great, but have you heard the CC170 and don't like it, or are you just saying the CC350 is good because that is what you have heard?

I am planning to purchase the system on Monday, so I am anxious to hear any specific comments you might have. Thanks again.


-Gergg

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

I'm saying the CC350 has a bigger

sound,can really belt out stuff on

soudtracks.The center is the most

important speaker in DD & DTS.I've heard the 170 and it's a good little

speaker,key word little.With those

big mains get the bigger center.


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[gergg]

I see that the CC170 has 5 1/2 cones vs. the 6 1/2 on the CC350. I thought the CC170 sounded pretty loud and good and I am in a small apartment, so I am not going to be blasting anything. But I do want to be able to clearly hear dialogue.

Do you think the timbral match would be screwed up if I got the CC350 with the Legends and the ADP170's? Maybe I should consider it since it is probably only another $100 to add?


-Gergg

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

You'll have a better match wit the 350

I'm sure.I've listened to nearly all of their models and bought a set of their speakers and have listened to my

brother's.I also work part-time at a shop that sells them.The set will pan across more naturally with the 350's.


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[avdoc]

Gergg,


If you want intelligibility in the center channel, consider acoustic treatment to your ceiling. Even a minimum amount makes a world of difference. Also, while I understand your wanting towers, I would agree with Rachael that the Mini-monitor/cc-350 combination is excellent. Crossed over with a good sub at around 80Hz this system is hard to beat for many times the price. I think the adp 170s in the back would be fine, but if you're going DD I'd save money by getting a pair of Titans.

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Gergg,in my bedroom I have mini-monitore,350,and their 8 inch cabinet sub.It's really too good of a

setup for a bedroom,I can hardly sleep!With a bigger sub or subs,this

combo would be terrific in any small to medium sized room.My "little" bedroom system rivals my main system.

Mini-monitors really sound good on music! You could get three Atoms and

have surround EX....which I've been experimenting with lately....Tell us

what you finally get.


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Ms. Bitchlist