Brian_S
Auditioning
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2003
- Messages
- 3
Been reading this forum for about a year now. I must say it’s great!
Last year I purchased the H/K 525 receiver based largely off all the great feedback from this site. Now I’m ready to complete the system with some speakers.
First let me tell you about the room. It’s about 19’ W by 22.5’ L, 9 foot ceilings. The floor is all tile and the back wall is all windows. Yes, it’s a “bright” room. It doesn’t echo when you clap your hands, but there is a good amount of reverberation. I plan to put down a large area rug in front of the HT setup as well as heavy draperies for the windows. The seating is in the middle of the room.
Right now I’m looking for 5.1 but I have the option to upgrade to 7.1 later. My budget is some where around $2-3K for the 5.1 setup. My listening is about 60% music, 40% movies.
I’m considering JBL Northridge, Axioms, Rockets, maybe even Swans.
I auditioned some Paradigm Studio 60’s versus B&W 604’s. At first, the dealer was using his $20K MacIntosh setup. I did not like the sound of the B&W at all. The midrange sounded weak. The Paradigm was much clearer in the midrange and the soundstage seemed much fuller. We then switched to a Pioneer Elite receiver. What a difference, the B&W really opened up. When it was all over, I preferred the sound of the Studio 60’s to the 604’s. The Digm’s did seem brighter and had a slightly better low end. The 604’s were still great don’t get me wrong.
I really liked the sound of both the Paradigms and B&W. However, I really believe that the Internet direct companies represent much better value.
Would Axiom or Rockets be closer to the “Paradigm” sound? I’ve heard many people say the Axioms are brighter and the Rockets are a little softer. Given my room acoustics, would the Axioms be too bright? Can this be fixed by simply turning down the treble? I think the H/K is considered a warm sounding receiver where as the Pioneer Elite is bright?
Where do the Swan’s fit into the spectrum? Closer to B&W or Paradigm?
I’ll be going with surrounds in the ceiling and I realize none of the mentioned direct companies offer a matching in wall….yet. Can you recommend some good pairings in this area with either the Rockets, Axioms, or Swans?
As far as subwoofers, would you recommend a front firing or downward firing for tile floors? I’d probably go SVS or HSU depending on the recommendation.
Finally, let me add in the WAF. The mains have to be towers.
Last year I purchased the H/K 525 receiver based largely off all the great feedback from this site. Now I’m ready to complete the system with some speakers.
First let me tell you about the room. It’s about 19’ W by 22.5’ L, 9 foot ceilings. The floor is all tile and the back wall is all windows. Yes, it’s a “bright” room. It doesn’t echo when you clap your hands, but there is a good amount of reverberation. I plan to put down a large area rug in front of the HT setup as well as heavy draperies for the windows. The seating is in the middle of the room.
Right now I’m looking for 5.1 but I have the option to upgrade to 7.1 later. My budget is some where around $2-3K for the 5.1 setup. My listening is about 60% music, 40% movies.
I’m considering JBL Northridge, Axioms, Rockets, maybe even Swans.
I auditioned some Paradigm Studio 60’s versus B&W 604’s. At first, the dealer was using his $20K MacIntosh setup. I did not like the sound of the B&W at all. The midrange sounded weak. The Paradigm was much clearer in the midrange and the soundstage seemed much fuller. We then switched to a Pioneer Elite receiver. What a difference, the B&W really opened up. When it was all over, I preferred the sound of the Studio 60’s to the 604’s. The Digm’s did seem brighter and had a slightly better low end. The 604’s were still great don’t get me wrong.
I really liked the sound of both the Paradigms and B&W. However, I really believe that the Internet direct companies represent much better value.
Would Axiom or Rockets be closer to the “Paradigm” sound? I’ve heard many people say the Axioms are brighter and the Rockets are a little softer. Given my room acoustics, would the Axioms be too bright? Can this be fixed by simply turning down the treble? I think the H/K is considered a warm sounding receiver where as the Pioneer Elite is bright?
Where do the Swan’s fit into the spectrum? Closer to B&W or Paradigm?
I’ll be going with surrounds in the ceiling and I realize none of the mentioned direct companies offer a matching in wall….yet. Can you recommend some good pairings in this area with either the Rockets, Axioms, or Swans?
As far as subwoofers, would you recommend a front firing or downward firing for tile floors? I’d probably go SVS or HSU depending on the recommendation.
Finally, let me add in the WAF. The mains have to be towers.