Comparison shopping/auditioning...looking for more recommendations

Ryan_MF · 04-20-2003, 05:40 PM

I'm looking to upgrade my home theater and I'm looking for suggestions. I'm looking to spend somewhere around 2500 on a full set of sub/speakers and would like to make sure I don't miss anything.

So far, I've auditioned Klipsch Reference series, Kef Q-series and the Paradigm Monitors (Monitor 9 based system). The Paradigm Monitors are far more expensive than the other two, but were worlds better in sound quality.

So...

1) Can anyone recommend other brands and builds in the Klipsch-Paradigm price range that would be worth auditioning?

2) Are the Paradigm Monitors a good cost-performance purchase?

Your help and advice is much appreciated.

Al Garay · 04-20-2003, 05:59 PM

Perhaps you be interested in a new Kef Home Theater system called KHT 2005.2? It was just released:
http://www.kef.com/KHT/index.htm

Satellites are 4" Uni Q Array
Frequency Response 80-20k HZ
10-100 watts Recommended power
8 ohm Impedance
Soft Black Finish
7.8"x5.1"x5.9"
Subwoofer 8" 150 Watts Powered
35-150 Hz Frequency Response
14.5"x12.6"x12.6"

It's a very nice, compact package for $1250 delivered.

Al

Ryan_MF · 04-20-2003, 06:10 PM

I'm looking for something a bit bigger. I currently use Klipsch Quintets and a crappy Sony STR-DE545 receiver. I would like to upgrade to floor standing fronts, a large center and bipole/dipole rears.

Michael.Cu · 04-20-2003, 10:13 PM

If you can find them, Mission's m70 series is quite good. The m74s that I auditioned were excellent. However, they currently don't have a US distributor and it's tough to find them. But, if you do find a dealer that carries them you may be able to get a good discount(my local dealer was offering 30% off list and 40% off for the floor models.) If you live in Canada, they should be easier to find as Denon is still the distributor there.

http://www.mission.co.uk/index1.htm

Ryan_MF · 04-21-2003, 07:29 AM

One other thought I've been having is using either Dynaudio Audience 42s or Paradigm Studio 20s to put together a 5.1 system. Thoughts?

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Andrew Pezzo · 04-21-2003, 09:17 AM

Definitive Technology is worth an audition. If your main purpose is movies then I strongly suggest these. Having powered subs within the speaker is a wonderful thing for movies, especially when the center channel has one too.

Dan Mastro · 04-21-2003, 12:48 PM

axiomaudio.com is another place to look. i'm enjoying their products.
dan

Ryan_MF · 04-21-2003, 01:15 PM

OK - it IS down to the Dynaudio 42/52 and the Paradigm Studio 20s. I love the way that the Studios image, but I liked the warm, natural sound of the Dynaudios a bit better. Does anyone here have experience (good or bad) with either company or these specific models?

04-21-2003, 02:05 PM

I love my B&W DM602's and 603's I compared them to Paradigm's ref studio 60's and chose the B&W's because I thought they had more natural bass and imaged better.

Chris Quinn · 04-21-2003, 03:42 PM

The only input I have for you is that I continue to come across posts that say the Def Techs need a good amount of space around them to sound their best. Meaning don't put them against the wall or stereo cabinet, etc. Maybe you can get someone with actual Def Tech experience to comment on this.