Paradigm and Yamaha (1 Viewer)

[Mike Nep]

I recently saw a post that stated Paradigm studios and yamaha receivers make a bright combo. I have studio 80's and a yamaha 595 and have noticed a little bit of some unwanted brightness at higher volumes. It's unbearable at times. However, I just hooked up a new Odyssey amp for the two fronts with Homegrown Silver Laces about two weeks ago (on all the time). I know I may be jumping the gun after only two weeks but will this brightness ever go away or are Yamaha receivers and studio speakers inherently bright? If my outlaw would just get here already!

One other note: The current room is TINY. Will this play a role in the brightness?

 

[Mike_T_]

I have a Yamaha Rx-v795 paired with the studio 100's and yes, it can be bright at times. The recording is the number one factor. I've heard that Yamaha receivers tend to be bright..the amp will help, but I'm assuming the yammy is the biggest factor.

 

[Mike Veroukis]

Actually, I think it depends on the yammie. Not all Yammies are as bright. I traded my HTR-5450 for a RX-V2200 and I've noticed the 2200 to be a lot warmer. I'm currently driving a pair of Studio 40's and I am quite happy with it. Mike_T_ is correct that the recording plays a big factor. The other day I popped in the Cult's greatest hits and it was SO painfully bright. I played it on several systems just to test it out and it sounded bright no matter the setup.

However I've found that turning down the treble just a tad can really take the edge off the brightness.

- Mike

 

[Mike_T_]

I find that I mess with the Treble setting quite a bit when I listen to music, from one CD to the next there is such a huge difference with bass and treble. Good speakers and a good Receiver can really expose how a CD was engineered. The recording process involves people making descisions on how to produce the actual sound, not just the music. When people talk about bright receivers, speakers and amps, at times I think they don't take into consideration the actual track.

I listen to the Steely Dan (gold remastered) greatest hits CD quite a bit. One track might be very bright, the next might be much warmer and have more LF. The CD spans many years and it reflects the changes in music production. The 80's seemed to be very bright with little bass. I find a lot of 70's music actually sounds great because it sounds more analog than digital. Almost like I have my LP's out!

 

[Greg_R]

I don't find Paradigm's studio series to be bright at all (their lower lines are definitely bright). Describe your room setup... acoustics are as important as speaker selection. Is there anything on the floor or walls to absorb high frequencies?

 

[Jeff D.]

Mike;
Personally, I find the Paradigm/Yamaha combination to be quite nasty. I think 'bright' is the wrong term when describing the Paradigm sound. Rather, I prefer 'forward'. They have a very forward presentation at the high end and will be very revealing of the source's high-frequency characteristics. The Yamaha is simply 'bright' and when paired with Paradigm - watch out!!
You also mention the room is 'tiny' which is cause for concern. The Studio 80 is a large speaker and, like its big brother the Studio 100, I really feel it needs a lot of 'breathing' room to sound its best. I like the Studio 100, but only in a large room.
Short listening distances with these Paradigms will serve to further accentuate the high-end and thus the flaws in it. I think all in all, you've got a bad combination. What you need to compensate is not a tone control, but an amplifier more suited to the task - ie. a 'warm' amp. Personally, I like the sound of Marantz amps, when combined with Paradigm, but you may need to go even further - at which point I'll ask others to chime in with recommendations.
/Jeff

 

[JesseR]

I'll throw this question out there. If I wanted paradigms and needed a reciever to pair with it. With dolby 2 dd and dts and I plan on using the monitor 7s and cc370 for the front what would be my best option since yamaha is not a great pair for them

 

[Mike Veroukis]

Well, what some people find nasty, others find enjoyable. It depends a lot on what you listen to I guess.
Jeff: Have you listened to Paradigm Reference series driven by one of the new receivers like the RX-V2200? That's my setup at home and "nasty" is the last word I'd use to describe the sound. It just goes to show that everyone has their own opinion. I'll agree with you on the "forward" and "revealing" sound of the Paradigms (it's one of the main reason's I bought them).
Jesse: I really don't believe there's a real answer to that question. You just have to figure out what sound you like. I'm sure you'll find people who think Yammies are just fine for Paradigms while others would tell you to use tube amps. You could get a 100 different replies to a question like that.
- Mike

 

[Jack]

I couldn't let Jeffs post go without a response!!! Paradigm and Yamaha paired together in the right combination makes for great listening. I think they are almost soul mates, or how about electronic mates
"Yammie saying to Paradigm speakers" Oui Oui I think we can make-ah beautiful music together.....:b

 

[Martin Rendall]

It works for me. 100's with RX-V1000.

Martin.