Upgradeitis

[cevet]

Hello everyone. I am possibly looking to upgrade my current setup. My budget is $1500.00. At present I have a 7.1 system consisting of Axiom QS8 side surrounds, Axiom QS4 rear surrounds. and front stage of Paradigm Monitor 7 (original version), Paradigm CC350 and an SVS SB12-NSD. I will keep the surrounds and sub but would like to upgrade the L/C/R. I have had the Paradigms for about 12 years and they still sound ok. My biggest question to all is, can I do better than what I have now (Paradigms) with a budget of $1500? My listening habits are 70% movies and 30% music. My living room is 12X16X8 with open area in rear and side. If I cannot do better and get an increase in quality of sound I will keep what I have. Thanks and any help positive or negative is much appreciated. I live in Canada so am limited for the ID brands. My AVR is Onkyo TX-NR905.

[fuzz092888]

Philharmonic 1s

philharmonicaudio.com

Plus kef makes speakers you should be able to find in your price range

If you can, totem makes great speakers

You can get great towers from salk, but it might leave you without budget for a center.
http://www.salksound.com/
Aperion audio makes great speakers and ships to canada too.
http://www.aperionaudio.com/home.aspx

[cevet]

Thanks for the reply. I have looked into most of what you listed. I believe that Aperion might be economically the best bet. Any models that you can suggest that would be much better than the Monitor 7's that I now have?

[fuzz092888]

Either pair of towers from the versus line and same with center speaker. The grand versus are out of your price range, their probably your best bet for getting noticeable better sound. The versus forte towers may give you better sound, but the specs are pretty similar.

Problem is I haven't hear either of the speakers so I couldn't conclusively say other than specs and pro reviews. From that information I'm guessing the versus forte may sound a bit better, and the grand should be noticeably better. Plus you have the 30 day return policy to do an in home AB for yourself, so I don't see any way you can go wrong.

[zieglj01]

As far as increase in sound quality - the answer is subjective.
For me I can - the Monitor 7 to me, has a dark sounding mid-
range that lacks resolution - the highs lack extension, and the
overall sound is somewhat grainy - with a boomy bass.

With your size room, you can even get by with some nice book
shelf speakers - since you have a good subwoofer.

To me, speakers from Focal, KEF and Monitor Audio do perform
overall better. Also, look into PSB. In the states, NHT is a good
one - and they ship to Canada.

[fuzz092888]

As always, Jim makes great points.

[cevet]

As far as increase in sound quality - the answer is subjective.
For me I can - the Monitor 7 to me, has a dark sounding mid-
range that lacks resolution - the highs lack extension, and the
overall sound is somewhat grainy - with a boomy bass.

With your size room, you can even get by with some nice book
shelf speakers - since you have a good subwoofer.

To me, speakers from Focal, KEF and Monitor Audio do perform
overall better. Also, look into PSB. In the states, NHT is a good
one - and they ship to Canada.

Thank you for some direction and you are spot on about the Monitor 7's. KEF dealer is about 3 hours away from me. Monitor Audio not sure. PSB I have looked into (model Image T6) do not know about how they match up against the Paradigm's. Focal dealer near by so I will check that out. I will also look at the NHT line. I appreciate the help.

[cevet]

As far as increase in sound quality - the answer is subjective.
For me I can - the Monitor 7 to me, has a dark sounding mid-
range that lacks resolution - the highs lack extension, and the
overall sound is somewhat grainy - with a boomy bass.

With your size room, you can even get by with some nice book
shelf speakers - since you have a good subwoofer.

To me, speakers from Focal, KEF and Monitor Audio do perform
overall better. Also, look into PSB. In the states, NHT is a good
one - and they ship to Canada.

Interesting. I looked into NHT Absolute Towers. Price $998, good. Shipping to Canada $320.41 Yikes!!!!!!!!!

[zieglj01]

Interesting. I looked into NHT Absolute Towers. Price $998, good. Shipping to Canada $320.41 Yikes!!!!!!!!!

Strike 1

[zieglj01]

PSB I have looked into (model Image T6) do not know about how they match up against the Paradigm's.

I prefer the Image series, over the Monitor series - a more balanced
sound.