Paradigm Monitor 90p (Discontinued!!! UHG)

[BabelFish]

I noticed that the Monitor 90p were discontinued last year. What frustrates me is that there is no good replacement for it. I have been saving for several years now for my ultimate system and now I am not sure what to do. (I just found this out this week... uhg.. I need to check the internet more often!)

My Ultimate System
> Amp: Denon AVR-3808 (Debut CES 2007... -Replacement of the AVR-3806)
> Fronts: Monitor 90p
> Center: CC-370
> SBL/SBR: ADP-370
> BL/BR: ADP-370
> Sub: PW-2200

The Monitor 90p had Low-Frequency Extension of 22Hz and the Frequency Response of 28Hz-20kHz. None of the other Monitors (v4 or v5) comes close to that. What am I supposed to do? Any suggestions?

I am pretty set with the Paradigm name brand so please.... no brand bashing. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Rob Babcock]

If you have your heart set on them there's probably still NOS in the dealer channels somewhere. Or perhaps a clean used pair? Have you checked Audiogon?

 

[BabelFish]

yeah.. I checked there.. no one was getting rid of them. is there anything in the new models that would be a good replacement for the 90p?

 

[Nuglets]

Ouch that hurts...I got mine last year sometime. Don't feel disheartened though, there are many other speaker's that will outperform the 90P's. Besides if you are looking into implementing a separate subwoofer I wouldn't recommend these speaker's anyways. I had such a hard time trying to get my old PS-1200 to blend well with the tower's that I ended up selling it. If you are about to spend that kind of money on some front speaker's and also have enough to buy the rest of a 5.1 setup you have many choices other that the system you listed that will outperform it. If I were you I would dump the full-range 3-way tower's and look for some smaller speaker's that are higher up in the food chain and get a beefier Servo subwoofer. Don't make your choice based on low frequency extension for two reason's that I can think of:
1. There are many other factor's that will determine how a speaker sounds.
2. You will have a subwoofer to cover frequencies that low and if you try to blend full range front speaker's you will get constructive/destructive wave interference. This means that you certain frequencies will be overwhelmingly loud and some will be barely audible based on placement of the speaker's and room acoustics.

Also, don't limit selection to Paradigm unless it's the only hi-end brand that is available to you. There are a few good online retailer's that have great speaker's from what I hear in this forum.

 

[nelson57]

BabelFish, I agree completely with Nuglets. He gave you some very sound advise there.

 

[BabelFish]

What speakers would you all recommend for me?.. I am looking at getting a 7.1 system.

I am really looking for a system that will handle all that I throw at it. It will be used for music and our Home Theater and our normal TV (we don't watch all that much TV..).

I would like a system where I will feel the impact when huge bass scenes occur in movies and also have it sound extremely natural with classical music (like I was actually there). I understand that I will have to adjust the settings in order to obtain both but I would like a system that can deliver both.

My friend has all Paradigm and I really like his system (Paradigm 90p(v2??) and some ADP-???(v2??) with a center channel). That is why I was thinking of going that route. It seems to be the best bang for the buck from what I have read and seen.

I do have a good amount saved up but that needs to be used for everything:
Projector,
Mounting,
Screen,
Speakers,
Amp

I think I am pretty set on the AVR (3808 unless someone can show me something else) but that will all depend on what the final specs are when it is released. In terms of speakers, I guess I am open to other brands as long as they will knock my socks off.

Also, I am open to smaller fronts... its just that they look really neat when there are huge speakers in front of you when you first sit down... (I know.. I REALLY lame excuse)...

 

[dobyblue]

Can you start by telling us how much of the ultimate system you've already purchased, that would be a good step forward.

I can tell you that with the 11s as fronts and a Servo 15v2 as the sub you will not be wary of lack of bass in the slightest. I am amazed at how deep, powerful and accurate the Servo 15v2 is.

I keep it set at approximately 3/10 for volume which is more than enough.

 

[BabelFish]

Sure... That question is very easy... I haven't purchased anything... Full noob here... mold me Build _your_ ultimate system through _me_! j/k

I am planning on getting everything in March/April/whenever the 3808 comes out.

Here is the room where the HT will be held. I understand that the windows look like a problem but we have room darkening windows blinds. The room has been modified some also since we have moved in. Room Dimensions are 19x18 (I think...)

How much did you get your Servo 15 for? (New). I am curious because I had heard that the PW-2200 should be around $799 and the Paradigm dealer near me was selling it for $999 which seemed rather high.

 

[billy p]

Not that

I have anything important to add . If you reside in the US then online retailers are a definite option, if your up this way, then maybe not?

 

[BabelFish]

I updated my location.

 

[BabelFish]

Who are the online retailers and are they authorized? I would like to buy from a retailer that will not void my warranty.

 

[nelson57]

BabelFish, based on what you listed as your ultimate system, if you want to stay with Paradigm and remain within the same price range, with the 90P being discontinued, I'd go:

Monitor 11's v5 up front
CC-290 v5 or the 390 if your space can handle it
ADP-390's v5 for surrounds
PSW 2200 sub, or, if you can swing it, the Servo 15 v2.

This is a viable alternative to your originally listed system, and will give you equally as much listening pleasure for both music and movies.

This is all based on what you originally posted, however if you were basing your decision on the having the Monitor 90P as part of that system, and have now changed your mind, you can begin the listening and searching process for alternative brands. have fun, and good luck either way!

 

[Kai]

I went to my local shop, where I purchased my speakers, thinking to look at the cc370 to replace my cc170. I figure it will be a better match to my Monitor 3's and I have some Santa bucks burning a hole in my pocket.
The manager tells me the 370 has been replaced by the new 390 and is a bit on the large size...he chuckles as he says this.
He has one on display and working. It sounds amazing but is huge compared to my lowly 170 and imo overkill to my monitor 3's not to mention the side eye my wife would give me.

 

[BabelFish]

Ok... Is there any brand that I can get that is better than Paradigm (for the money?) that I should check out?

Lets say that I get:
Fronts: Monitor 11v5
S BL/S BR: ADP-390 v5
BL/BR: ADP-390 v5
Center: CC-290 v5 (would this be ok.. or should I go with the 390???)
Sub: Servo 15

How much should that run me?
Will that handle all of my needs? Would the Denon 3808 (replacement for the Denon 3806) handle off of that or would I need another amp?

Is there another speaker brand that could give me more for the money? Thanks in advance for all of your help and advice!

 

[BabelFish]

Oh my goodness... do you guys know how much that servo 15 costs!!!!! oh man!!!!

at 1500watts.. thats 12.5amps.. (right?).. that is an entire circuit breaker for me!!! uhg... man that would rock!!!!

 

[Nuglets]

Take a look at some of Paradigm Reference Studio's also. I'm not sure what the price is like but I'm guessing that the Studio 40's would be quite a bit cheaper than the 90P maybe about the same price as the Monitor 11's and should give you a better sound than either of those. I guarantee that if you get the Studio 40's and the rest of the 5.1 setup in that line along with a sub your friend with the Monitor's will be jealous when he hears it. No reason to get tower's just because they are big when have a sub to show off. Besides, look at the Studio 40's, in my opinion they look much more appealing than the 90P's.

 

[Nuglets]

Ok... Is there any brand that I can get that is better than Paradigm (for the money?) that I should check out?

Lets say that I get:
Fronts: Monitor 11v5
S BL/S BR: ADP-390 v5
BL/BR: ADP-390 v5
Center: CC-290 v5 (would this be ok.. or should I go with the 390???)
Sub: Servo 15

How much should that run me?
Will that handle all of my needs? Would the Denon 3808 (replacement for the Denon 3806) handle off of that or would I need another amp?

Is there another speaker brand that could give me more for the money? Thanks in advance for all of your help and advice!

Some question's for you...

What is going to be the primary use of this system? Watching movies or listening to music? If it's primarily a Home Theater you are interested in you will probably want a better center channel than the CC-290. I was trying out my friends cc-370(I think...I know it was in the 300's) and I wasn't very impressed with it compared to mine, and mine is pretty bad in my opinion, but I hardly watch movies so I have yet to upgrade. I don't know about the cost of any of that stuff but if the Servo is out of you price range I'm sure the 2200 will suffice.

Do you have some dealer's around there that carry hi-end audio? If so, go take a listen for yourself to some of the speaker's we have mentioned and also try out some other brand's that the store carries.

Also, you shouldn't have a big problem trying to power those speaker's with a receiver if you are using a powered sub. An amp will do nothing but help, but it can always wait. It's better to wait and buy something that you won't regret than to buy something and realize you want something better. Then you end up practically buying an entire new system trying to upgrade and that gets very costly.

 

[dobyblue]

The Servo 15 does rock that's for sure. The back plate of mine lists maximum consumption at 1800 Watts! I got mine for $1750CDN, it had been in a customer's home for 1 day. I got very lucky.

The PW-2200 is a monster sub as well though and I hardly doubt you'd be upset at all with it - the Servo 15 just releives you of all upgradeitis in that department.

Do you do any hi rez music listening or are you just going for HT movies?

I think the CC-290 would be just perfect for your system, but what sort of wattage per channel is the 3808 going to be? The CC-390 allows for 150W whereas the CC-290 is a 120W centre. Other than that the performance is virtually identical.

 

[BabelFish]

From what I have been reading, the 3808 should put out 130 or 120watts per channel... Did any of you run more circuit breakers into the room where you are using this equipment.... at 1200watts thats 10 amps.... my family room only has one 15amp breaker.. I am going to need a whole breaker just for the stereo system...

The electric bill is going to suck but at least I can charge my neighbors part of it... I mean, with a home theater, they are going to by hearing/seeing the HT whether they like it or not (we are attempting a 100inch screen with a projector )... might as well charge them for the service j/k

Is the Servo worth the extra cost (at full price) as compared to the PW-2200??

 

[BabelFish]

Between these two systems... which would be better:

Fronts: Monitor 11v5
S BL/S BR: ADP-390 v5
BL/BR: ADP-390 v5
Center: CC-290 v5 (would this be ok.. or should I go with the 390???)
Sub: Servo 15

OR

Fronts: Studio 60 (maybe 100 but probably not)
S BL/S BR: ADP-590
BL/BR: ADP-590
Center: CC-590 v5 (would this be ok.. or should I go with the 390???)
Sub: Servo 15