Downgrading to 5.1 on a $1000 Budget (1 Viewer)

[Jeff_Fitz]

Justin:

Those Paradigms and the Denon are a nice starting point for a 5.1 setup. I agree that some tweaking might be in order.

Have you considered approaching your local Paradigm dealer with a request to demo a CC-470, a pair of Studio 20's and a PW-2200? I realize that kind of blows your budget, especially because you wouldn't be getting cash back on your fronts. That said, this setup should smoke any sub/sat system you'll be looking at in the $1000 price range.

To go back to your original request...check out the speaker systems buyer's guide at http://www.valuecanuck.com for comparative specs on many options in that price range (and others).

Hope that helps,

Jeff

 

[Tim Reed]

Couple of quick thoughts - I own Paradigm 100's (excellent speakers) - and I think that going from Paradigms to the other mass market brands mentioned (and - by the way -I own Klipsch LaScalas and Klispch outdoors - familier with Klipsch) would not be a good move. I would definitely mess around with the 60's until you are sure its not a setup issue.

If after that, you are still looking at something else - the interent brands mentioned are very good and will get you better bang for the buck. I would go with the suggrestions above over any in store brand such as Klipsch, JPL, Polk etc - in that price range.

But the max bang for the buck will be DIY. I would go over to the Madisound board and post a message asking for opinions on the best - cheap - good sounding easily built (i.e., can buy all components including cabinet and just assemble with a little soldering) DIY design. I am certain that what you come up with from that will be far better than any recommendations so far.

Even doing that - I still don't think you budget allows you to do it all at once - I think you need to do it in pieces and have patience - it will reward you.

As a point of reference - I built the EFE DIYs. My neighbor has the Ascends CBMs. The Ascends are good little speakers - but a definite notch below the EFE DIYs - its immediately obvious (and this shouldn't be surprising - since I spent as much money on the EFE DIYs as he did on the Ascends and Ascend has to make some money - so this translates to better components/drivers in the EFE DIYs - + Ed did a great job with the crossover - - in fact doing this same analysis versus my Paradigms 100's leads me to conclude the EFE DIY drivers are better than the 100 drivers - and they sound that way!).

There are some great designs out there - free. Check out anything by Dennis Murphy, Tony Gee, Rick Craig (Selah Audio - not free- but excellent) - and a whole buch more over at Madisound board. Their designs compete and in most cases are superior to equivalent commercial designs (of course - you would be looking at the designs where you can simply buy all the components and assemble - so that simplifies it considerably - the EFE DIY is one such design - and I bet you would like it as much or better than the Paradigm 60).

Good luck.