B&W CM10 S2 or Paradigm Prestige 95F??

[Matthew Fessenden]

Hello all,

New to the forum and I'm looking for a set up to handle 50/50 music to HT. My living room is an open concept with the kitchen/dining area totaling ~5600cu/ft.

The front speaker setups I've settled on so far are below. Price isn't a factor between them as I can get these for the same price brand new.

1.) Bowers and Wilkins CM10 S2 w/ CM Center 2 S2
2.) Paradigm Prestige 95F w/ 55C

For rears, due to awkward space available, I'm planning on Sonance VP62R in-ceilings.

My sub selection right now is a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000w. I'm not married to it but the wi-fi is a huge bonus.

Also, I'm getting a great deal on a Marantz SR7009 receiver and will be waiting to upgrade to separates.

Thanks for the help all!

 

[crossedover]

At $4k for a pair of speakers have you considered any others? Id also consider a more capable sub for your room size.

 

[Bizarro_Stormy]

The front speaker setups I've settled on so far are below.

1.) Bowers and Wilkins CM10 S2 w/ CM Center 2 S2
2.) Paradigm Prestige 95F w/ 55C

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

At $4k for a pair of speakers have you considered any others? Id also consider a more capable sub for your room size.

I've listened to Martin Logan's Electrostatics, Sonus Fabers, and Def Tech's. Of those, B&W was by far my favorite. I haven't heard the Paradigms but am actively looking for a pair to audition.

For the sub, I am considering a pair of the Dynamo 1000w's by staring with a single unit and purchasing the second at a later time. For now though, I'm open to hearing about other sub options in the $1K range.

 

[crossedover]

I've listened to Martin Logan's Electrostatics, Sonus Fabers, and Def Tech's. Of those, B&W was by far my favorite. I haven't heard the Paradigms but am actively looking for a pair to audition.

For the sub, I am considering a pair of the Dynamo 1000w's by staring with a single unit and purchasing the second at a later time.

How do you like your Home Theater experience? Rumbling chest thumping bass or just casual listening levels?



Id add these to your list for speakers to check out
http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html
http://www.salksound.com/ht2-tl - home.htm
http://www.newaudiovideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10221
http://www.salksound.com/salkrythmik - home.htm

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Dear OP, Are getting some crazy Best Buy/Magnolia discount (like 1/2 off) we should be aware of or BB is the only place you've visited so far?
Because, believe me or not even compared at 1/2 off BB prices - there are better choice out there
These for example:
http://philharmonicaudio.com/slims.html
or these:
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRT/srt.html
or these:
https://www.aperionaudio.com/verus-grand-tower-speaker-736
or even these:
http://www.svsound.com/products/ultra-tower

Listed in order of my own preference, but all great speakers

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

How do you like your Home Theater experience? Rumbling chest thumping bass or just casual listening levels?


Thanks for the options; I'll check them out.

I like my HT chest thumping but my music crystal clear at all levels.

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

Dear OP, Are getting some crazy Best Buy/Magnolia discount (like 1/2 off) we should be aware of or BB is the only place you've visited so far?
Because, believe me or not even compared at 1/2 off BB prices - there are better choice out there


Listed in order of my own preference, but all great speakers

I'll take a look at these also, thanks!

I'm getting 20% off at Magnolia but I have another hook up for the Paradigms.

 

[crossedover]

Then another sub will due better based on your room size and HT desired listening. If your main spekers cost 2k say each, 2500 on two subs isnt unreasonable. The speakers that have been linked, except RBH, are Internet direct factories and represent a huge value vs cost vs performance.

 

[Cos]

Have people actually had a demo of the the new Paradigm, they are a marked improvement in detail, lower end bass response, and not a bad pair of speakers for 5k list. (I woud hope your discount is in the 20-25% range) That being said I would definitely choose them over the B&W you mentioned. I would take Paradigm's Prestige 55C over the B&W. That of course means nothing if they don't sound good to you. I have the ability to demo both brands within a 5 mile radius of my house, but to me it would be an easy decision.

That being said, I would take my Triton One's over both

A nice review of the Paradigm here
http://hometheaterreview.com/paradigm-prestige-95f-floorstanding-speaker-reviewed/?page=2

Measurements:
http://www.soundstage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1333:nrc-measurements-paradigm-reference-prestige-95f&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

Have people actually had a demo of the the new Paradigm, they are a marked improvement in detail, lower end bass response, and not a bad pair of speakers for 5k list. (I woud hope your discount is in the 20-25% range) That being said I would definitely choose them over the B&W you mentioned. I would take Paradigm's Prestige 55C over the B&W. That of course means nothing if they don't sound good to you. I have the ability to demo both brands within a 5 mile radius of my house, but to me it would be an easy decision.

Thanks Cos. I'm able to get the Prestige at cost +10%. I just hate that I can't listen to them first. I've read all kinds of rave reviews on both but just don't know if I'll be able to shell out the cash for something I haven't listened to unless it comes with a 100% return policy for auditioning.

All that being said, I did listen to some movie selections last night and the B&W CMC S2 does leave a bit to be desired. I think it is probably an o.k. center but not compared to the CM10 towers.

I'm going to try harder to get a listen to the Digms.

 

[Cos]

Thanks Cos. I'm able to get the Prestige at cost +10%. I just hate that I can't listen to them first. I've read all kinds of rave reviews on both but just don't know if I'll be able to shell out the cash for something I haven't listened to unless it comes with a 100% return policy for auditioning.

All that being said, I did listen to some movie selections last night and the B&W CMC S2 does leave a bit to be desired. I think it is probably an o.k. center but not compared to the CM10 towers.

I'm going to try harder to get a listen to the Digms.

Dang if you are getting cost+10% you could get the digms and resell them on audiogon and not lose money if you don't like them.

 

[fmw]

Matthew, is there some reason you can't hear them for yourself? It is your preference that matters, not ours.

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

Dang if you are getting cost+10% you could get the digms and resell them on audiogon and not lose money if you don't like them.

I think that's what I'm going to do.

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

Matthew, is there some reason you can't hear them for yourself? It is your preference that matters, not ours.

Yes, no one carries them in my area. I'm just trying to justify taking the risk of purchase before listening because I don't have the option to listen. I think though, at the price point I'm able to get, it is worth it and I'll just sell them if dissatisfied.

 

[crossedover]

Yes, no one carries them in my area. I'm just trying to justify taking the risk of purchase before listening because I don't have the option to listen. I think though, at the price point I'm able to get, it is worth it and I'll just sell them if dissatisfied.

If your gonna take the risk, take it and include other speakers. I bet if members are close by they would split shipping for the demo. (sounds like the start of a GTG) Both sets of the speakers you titled here are good, the Paradigms probably better on paper (havent heard) but the Phils linked will be neutral enough to tailor the sound to your liking

 

[fmw]

Yes, no one carries them in my area. I'm just trying to justify taking the risk of purchase before listening because I don't have the option to listen. I think though, at the price point I'm able to get, it is worth it and I'll just sell them if dissatisfied.

Can you find something that sounds good to you that is sold in your area?

 

[Cos]

I think that's what I'm going to do.

I have to ask what town you live in, Paradigm is a pretty popular speaker with a fairly large dealer network.

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

If your gonna take the risk, take it and include other speakers. I bet if members are close by they would split shipping for the demo. (sounds like the start of a GTG) Both sets of the speakers you titled here are good, the Paradigms probably better on paper (havent heard) but the Phils linked will be neutral enough to tailor the sound to your liking

GTG?

 

[Matthew Fessenden]

Can you find something that sounds good to you that is sold in your area?

Yes, the B&W's sound great to me. I was actually surprised to get the opposition I've received here and other places after all of the great reviews I've read. I only consider the Digms because of the screemin' deal I can get.