Dedicated HT room with Paradigm SA-25s?

[drooze]

I am planning a dedicated HT in my basement. The room will be 17x12 and I am considering using Paradigm speakers so I visited my local dealer. I originally thought of using Studio 20s in the front but the dealer suggested using SA-25 in walls for a cleaner look, which I like.

Has anyone heard the SA-25s? How would you expect that a good quality in wall would compare with its free standing model of the same price point?

[jamie2112]

I am going to say the floorstander is going to sound better than in wall,because of the cabinet design. Speakers that are in wall have a backing box but floor speakers cabinets are tuned to get the best image, sound,ect... I myself have never done an A/B comparison but I would have to say go with speakers with cabinets...

[ParadigmDawg]

The 20's will blow away the inwalls hands-down...

[Warpdrv]

Jamie and Greg hit the nail on the head.... inwalls with no enclosure except the studs and drywall will work, but they will never match the performance of a speaker designed from the ground up built with a specifically sized and tuned cabinet.

To get really descent sound with higher SPL's, low distortion, and good sound quality, you will have to spend a rediculus amount of money...

When setting up my Bedroom system, I was thinking In-walls at first but for the SQ I was looking for I would have had to spend almost double what I did on in-room monitors. I picked up some Paradigm Sig S4's and C3 for a really good deal and added some Studio ADP-590's surrounds...

I know in the end I am far happier then I would have been with similarly priced In-Walls.

Of coarse if High SPL's and good Sound Quality at those high SPL's aren't that important, then by all means go with the In-Walls. :)

[drooze]

Jamie and Greg hit the nail on the head.... inwalls with no enclosure except the studs and drywall will work, but they will never match the performance of a speaker designed from the ground up built with a specifically sized and tuned cabinet.

To get really descent sound with higher SPL's, low distortion, and good sound quality, you will have to spend a rediculus amount of money...

When setting up my Bedroom system, I was thinking In-walls at first but for the SQ I was looking for I would have had to spend almost double what I did on in-room monitors. I picked up some Paradigm Sig S4's and C3 for a really good deal and added some Studio ADP-590's surrounds...

I know in the end I am far happier then I would have been with similarly priced In-Walls.

Of coarse if High SPL's and good Sound Quality at those high SPL's aren't that important, then by all means go with the In-Walls. :)

lol. I am actually hoping for low SPL, cruddy SQ and high cost. The trifecta! I think that decision is made, thanks everyone.

[Warpdrv]

lol. I am actually hoping for low SPL, cruddy SQ and high cost. The trifecta! I think that decision is made, thanks everyone.

Excellent choice.... I love it when someone aims for the bottom of the ditch... :) :p