Hello there, first time poster.
Currently I am considering upgrading my home theater system. I've not a huge budget, but am looking for the best bang for my buck. The current system I have is a Yamaha RX-V463 with a set of Cinema 110 speakers from Paradigm. The first thing I am looking to upgrade is my speaker system and have had a hard time deciding which way I want to go.
The local retailers around here have a limited supply of speakers. Audio Express sells Klipsch and Paradigm, Best Buy sells Klipsch, and I think some JBL, Circuit City sells Klipsch and I think Polk Audio.
I've listened to some Paradigm monitor 9's and monitor 7's, but I think the setup they had them on was not really that good, I wasn't very impressed. However, they did have a set of Klipsch floorstanding speakers set up with a Paradigm sub which sounded pretty decent. I wish they would have had the same setup with the paradigm's (the digms were just set up on a wall of speakers where the klipsch were in one of their "theater rooms"). I do believe that the digms would sound better in a better setup.
Audio Express has a set of Monitor 7's they are clearing out for $550 and a set of Monitor 9's they are clearing out for $679. I'm leaning toward the 9's. However, I really haven't given Klipsch their due yet, so I intend on checking out some more systems using the klipsch speakers to see what I like.
I have been looking at subs right now. I intend to upgrade slowly, replacing pieces of my cinema 110 speakers piece at a time, starting with the sub.
I looked at the Klipsch website and it looks like all their subs power ratings are in the 350-500 watt range (unless you want to spend $4000 for a 1000 watt sub), whereas the Paradigm subs seem to give you more power for the buck, with their subs ranging from 900-1500 watts (for their "Paradigm" speakers....their reference subs go upwards of 4500 watts, but are out of my price range).
The two I have looked at are the Ultra-Cube 10 and the DSP-3200. I have listened to them and can't make up my mind between the two. The DSP-3200 is a 12" sub but only rated at 900watt peak/300 watt RMS, the Ultra-Cube has a 10" sub with dual radiators but is rated at 1500watt peak/650 watt RMS. Both have very similar frequency response. I wish I could audition both on my system, but I don't think they would allow me to bring them home and try them out on my system in my home before buying them.
The Ultra-Cube 10 they are selling for $679 and the DSP-3200 they are selling for $699, so there is not much difference between them. What I am looking to find out is if anyone out there has had experience with either of these subs and what they thought, which one gave them the best performance.
Also, I am curious as to why the Klipsch subs in this range seem to have a much lower power rating, and if that makes any difference. I know either is going to be a big improvement over the sub I currently have, but if I am going to spend $600-$800 for a sub, I want to get the most for my money.
I hate that you cant get prices on the dealers websites for Paradigm, because you can't compare prices and "find a good deal". For example, part of the speakers I am looking at include the ADP-390's for my surround speakers. For some reason, I think the local retailer is asking WAY too much for these, but I don't know because I have nothing to compare to. If I recall correctly, they are asking about $899 for a set of ADP-390 speakers, which just sounds too high to me. Would be nice if someone could price them and report back to me what they are being sold for in their area, just to see if the price they are offering them for is out of reason.
What I am looking at now:
Paradigm Monitor 9's: $679
Paradigm DSP-3200 sub: $699 (or Ultra-Cube 10: $679)
Paradigm ADP-390 surrounds: $899
Paradigm CC-390 center channel: (havent priced this yet)
Now then, looking at those prices, do you think I could do better with another brand? What do you think about JBL and Polk Audio?
Currently I am considering upgrading my home theater system. I've not a huge budget, but am looking for the best bang for my buck. The current system I have is a Yamaha RX-V463 with a set of Cinema 110 speakers from Paradigm. The first thing I am looking to upgrade is my speaker system and have had a hard time deciding which way I want to go.
The local retailers around here have a limited supply of speakers. Audio Express sells Klipsch and Paradigm, Best Buy sells Klipsch, and I think some JBL, Circuit City sells Klipsch and I think Polk Audio.
I've listened to some Paradigm monitor 9's and monitor 7's, but I think the setup they had them on was not really that good, I wasn't very impressed. However, they did have a set of Klipsch floorstanding speakers set up with a Paradigm sub which sounded pretty decent. I wish they would have had the same setup with the paradigm's (the digms were just set up on a wall of speakers where the klipsch were in one of their "theater rooms"). I do believe that the digms would sound better in a better setup.
Audio Express has a set of Monitor 7's they are clearing out for $550 and a set of Monitor 9's they are clearing out for $679. I'm leaning toward the 9's. However, I really haven't given Klipsch their due yet, so I intend on checking out some more systems using the klipsch speakers to see what I like.
I have been looking at subs right now. I intend to upgrade slowly, replacing pieces of my cinema 110 speakers piece at a time, starting with the sub.
I looked at the Klipsch website and it looks like all their subs power ratings are in the 350-500 watt range (unless you want to spend $4000 for a 1000 watt sub), whereas the Paradigm subs seem to give you more power for the buck, with their subs ranging from 900-1500 watts (for their "Paradigm" speakers....their reference subs go upwards of 4500 watts, but are out of my price range).
The two I have looked at are the Ultra-Cube 10 and the DSP-3200. I have listened to them and can't make up my mind between the two. The DSP-3200 is a 12" sub but only rated at 900watt peak/300 watt RMS, the Ultra-Cube has a 10" sub with dual radiators but is rated at 1500watt peak/650 watt RMS. Both have very similar frequency response. I wish I could audition both on my system, but I don't think they would allow me to bring them home and try them out on my system in my home before buying them.
The Ultra-Cube 10 they are selling for $679 and the DSP-3200 they are selling for $699, so there is not much difference between them. What I am looking to find out is if anyone out there has had experience with either of these subs and what they thought, which one gave them the best performance.
Also, I am curious as to why the Klipsch subs in this range seem to have a much lower power rating, and if that makes any difference. I know either is going to be a big improvement over the sub I currently have, but if I am going to spend $600-$800 for a sub, I want to get the most for my money.
I hate that you cant get prices on the dealers websites for Paradigm, because you can't compare prices and "find a good deal". For example, part of the speakers I am looking at include the ADP-390's for my surround speakers. For some reason, I think the local retailer is asking WAY too much for these, but I don't know because I have nothing to compare to. If I recall correctly, they are asking about $899 for a set of ADP-390 speakers, which just sounds too high to me. Would be nice if someone could price them and report back to me what they are being sold for in their area, just to see if the price they are offering them for is out of reason.
What I am looking at now:
Paradigm Monitor 9's: $679
Paradigm DSP-3200 sub: $699 (or Ultra-Cube 10: $679)
Paradigm ADP-390 surrounds: $899
Paradigm CC-390 center channel: (havent priced this yet)
Now then, looking at those prices, do you think I could do better with another brand? What do you think about JBL and Polk Audio?
