Help with 10k speaker system!

[codexp3]

I've owened a Polk LSI 7.1 system for the last two years, but after hearing the Paradigm signature S8s today my heart broke! The S8s running on the very same McIntosh amp crushed my LSI 25s. No comparision. What's worse is the Studio 100s which are nearly the same price sounded significantly better as well. The signature S8s are priced at 7200 which makes them at the extreme upper end of what I want to spend. I was actually thinking about putting the studio 100s all the way around including as my surrounds. (I hate not running the surrounds on large).

I'm scheduled to demo the Definitve Tech 7000s next week. I was thinking of using the 7000s as the mains and 7002s as surrounds. After hearing the paradigms the def techs are going to have their work cut out for them! Do you guys have an opinion on which of the setups you'd prefer? (The fronts will each be ran on McIntosh 500w monos.)

This is my first time posting here so I'd really like to get some input from some more experienced home theater buffs. I'd like to keep my speaker budget at 10k the signature 5.1 system is closer to 14k, but I did notice better mids and highs, but four studio 100s are 3k cheaper than 2 s8s. Any other recommendations in the 10K max range? -Josh

 

[satish536]

At that budget, you should be considering RBH Sounds upper end offerings.

www.rbhsound.com

 

[chadnliz]

If you are comfortable spending that kind of money you can easily beat anything from both of your ideas, there are so many better speakers to explore, Vandersteen, Legacy, Tyler Accoustics, even "out of the box" makers like Magnepan and Martin Logan..........you really need to do your homework, in your budget dont settle! There are MUCH better options.....no matter what you decide it sure will be fun!

 

[bandphan]

what are your listening habbits?

if your liking the sound of bipolar speakers, you might consider electrostaics also

 

[3db]

I've owened a Polk LSI 7.1 system for the last two years, but after hearing the Paradigm signature S8s today my heart broke! The S8s running on the very same McIntosh amp crushed my LSI 25s. No comparision. What's worse is the Studio 100s which are nearly the same price sounded significantly better as well. The signature S8s are priced at 7200 which makes them at the extreme upper end of what I want to spend. I was actually thinking about putting the studio 100s all the way around including as my surrounds. (I hate not running the surrounds on large).

I'm scheduled to demo the Definitve Tech 7000s next week. I was thinking of using the 7000s as the mains and 7002s as surrounds. After hearing the paradigms the def techs are going to have their work cut out for them! Do you guys have an opinion on which of the setups you'd prefer? (The fronts will each be ran on McIntosh 500w monos.)

This is my first time posting here so I'd really like to get some input from some more experienced home theater buffs. I'd like to keep my speaker budget at 10k the signature 5.1 system is closer to 14k, but I did notice better mids and highs, but four studio 100s are 3k cheaper than 2 s8s. Any other recommendations in the 10K max range? -Josh

Unless you are using mulitchannel audio, I think having Studio100s running full out for your surrounds is a huge waste of your hard earned money. The surrounds rarely ever get the workout the mains get during a HT so why would you spend the extra cash on something your not using to its full potential? I'd rather run something smaller for my surrounds and put the money I saved into a decent subwoofer. Just my 2 cents worth for what ever its worth .

 

[codexp3]

As far as my listening habbits...this system will be used 95% for home theater applications. When it comes to music I listen to a little bit of everything, but honestly listen very infrequently.

 

[bandphan]

i like the feelling of bi/di pole speakers, especially in ht. Since ur not going to be listening to music, 3db suggestion on the surrounds might be prudent, and place those dollars to an awesome sub. IMO the martin logans els speakers produce amazing detail, especially with the center channel. The opening scene to blade, in the night club, where he throws the blade around the room, omg.

 

[Davemcc]

When spending this kind of money, it would be wise to perform your due diligence which in this case should include listening to the B&W 803s and 803d, as well as the Focal.JMLabs Electra 1027Be.

 

[3db]

When spending this kind of money, it would be wise to perform your due diligence which in this case should include listening to the B&W 803s and 803d, as well as the Focal.JMLabs Electra 1027Be.

I can't remember your answer to this question or if even asked you this before.. Are you in the greater TO area? If so have you ever had a chance to listen to products from these guys?

http://www.focusaudio.com/index1.htm

 

[Davemcc]

I can't remember your answer to this question or if even asked you this before.. Are you in the greater TO area? If so have you ever had a chance to listen to products from these guys?

http://www.focusaudio.com/index1.htm

I can't recall hearing of these, but my dealer here in Windsor is listed as a Focus Audio dealer. I may have to pay him a visit (without listening to any Dynaudio products...I just got my CC paid off and I like it that way.)

He's also a Focal.JMLabs dealer and the store across the street has a dedicated room containing just the Signature S8 and a set of Theil. Which reminds me, the OP should also audition Dynaudio products in his price range. The entry level Dynaudio are simply stunning. I can only imagine what their higher end products sound like.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm scheduled to demo the Definitve Tech 7000s next week. I was thinking of using the 7000s as the mains and 7002s as surrounds. After hearing the paradigms the def techs are going to have their work cut out for them! Do you guys have an opinion on which of the setups you'd prefer? (The fronts will each be ran on McIntosh 500w monos.)

I have the BP7000SCs Fronts, CLR3000 Center, BP7001SC Surrounds, & Trinity Subwoofer.

As long as you place the BP7000SCs about 3-4 feet from the front and side walls, I think you get get excellent sound from them.

Oh, and by the way, I got my system brand new for about $9K locally from my HT store.

 

[cbraver]

I can't recall hearing of these, but my dealer here in Windsor is listed as a Focus Audio dealer. I may have to pay him a visit (without listening to any Dynaudio products...I just got my CC paid off and I like it that way.)

He's also a Focal.JMLabs dealer and the store across the street has a dedicated room containing just the Signature S8 and a set of Theil. Which reminds me, the OP should also audition Dynaudio products in his price range. The entry level Dynaudio are simply stunning. I can only imagine what their higher end products sound like.

I agree with the Dynaudio recommendation. I did some "google shopping" to get an idea where the prices are at....

I have Dynaudio Audience 70s, and really like them. They have been replaced by the 72s, which are around 3,600USD a pair now. The Audience series is simply stunning for the money.

I've also heard the Contours, but they might end up being out of your budget. The Contour S3.4 towers are about 7,000USD for a pair. By the time you add surrounds and a center channel (CS center channels are 3,200USD each, the surround S1.4's are almost 4,000 for the pair). That said, I fell in love with the Contours and, if I had the money, would own them instead of the Audiences. They are spectacular.

Inbetween the Audience and Contours is the Focus series. I haven't heard them, but, I'm sure they are great based upon Dynaudio's other products. The 220 towers are just under 4,000USD for the pair. The 200C center channel is about 1,400USD, the rears would be a bit over 2,000USD. I would go listen to these and the Audience series and compare them. You might find that the Audience series blows you away and that you don't need to spend your entire budget. With my 70s, I have people who would otherwise not care walk into my apartment while I'm playing music, stop, look and say "damn, it sounds amazing in here."

The Dynaudio speakers need power though, so, budget for some big amps. I'm powering my pair with a 450W x 2 @ 4-ohms, you can take a look by clicking on my signature. They really need power to come alive, so demo them using a powerful amplifier.

 

[Davemcc]

Well, thanks to 3db I stopped at my dealer to ask about the Focus Audio and walked out with a pair of Dynaudio Focus 140.

Apparently Focus Audio is legit, has been around for 12 years, does R&D in Canada but serves mostly the Asian market out of Hong Kong. They range in price from the low thousands to tens of thousands and produce a genuine high quality product. He didn't have any in stock and likely won't in the future so I can't give any personal notes.

 

[codexp3]

Acudeftechguy- I’m auditioning the deftechs Monday at 1100. They were my first choice going in, but the paradigms sounder unbelievable.

Cbraver- I located a dynaudio store in St. Pete which is 30 minutes from Tampa, I’m going to see them Monday after the deftechs.

Davemcc- I will check out the B&Ws as well.

The problem I’m having is 4 different manufacturers, 4 different shops. I’ve called every dealer in Tampa, and not one even carries two of the four brands. Paradigm at one shop, DefTech another, Dynaudio in the next town over, and B&Ws at yet another shop. My worry is I’m auditioning the dealer’s sound stage and not the actual speaker. I’m sure all the dealers have premium sound stages, but that doesn’t mean they will be the same acoustically.

Any suggestions on blu ray titles with really good highs to take with me to the auditions. I took Underworld and T2 yesterday (neither of which utilized high frequencies). The dealer used a Kill Bill DVD and that’s where the paradigms really shined, the highs on the sword clashes were flawless! I guess I need to buy the movie for comparison.

 

[rded]

After hearing the paradigms the def techs are going to have their work cut out for them! Do you guys have an opinion on which of the setups you'd prefer? (The fronts will each be ran on McIntosh 500w monos.)

You and I are taking the same route my friend! I Initially wanted to get the Def tech STs then went and auditioned paradigm studio 100s. One thing led to another and now its pretty much down to Sonus faber Domus Grand Piano and Contour 3.4 from from DYNAUDIO. I even auditioned B&Ws , Revel Concerta series, and Anthony Gallo Reference Nautilus. I am now finding that Metallic tweeters are not my Thing.
It really depends on what your ears want and if you do more HT or music!If you do more or plan to do more music, then IMHO Deftech is probably not the way to go although the should be superb for HT.Do you like the Harsh High pitch sound(colored) thats eventually fatiguing or do you want a more laid back and more natural sound. For that amount of money the possibilities are endless! BTW do you need a sub as well?

 

[rded]

Any suggestions on blu ray titles with really good highs to take with me to the auditions. I took Underworld and T2 yesterday (neither of which utilized high frequencies). The dealer used a Kill Bill DVD and that’s where the paradigms really shined, the highs on the sword clashes were flawless! I guess I need to buy the movie for comparison.

A great BD title would be Chicago or the dave matthews live with Tim reynolds for music or Heck my Fav Queen Live from Montreal. POTC and Hellboy and Spidey trilogy should give a you a sense of the LFE and Bass! Believe it or not Pearl Harbor and flyboys give you the opportunity to hear the surrounds very well.

 

[rded]

Inbetween the Audience and Contours is the Focus series. I haven't heard them, but, I'm sure they are great based upon Dynaudio's other products. The 220 towers are just under 4,000USD for the pair. The 200C center channel is about 1,400USD, the rears would be a bit over 2,000USD. I would go listen to these and the Audience series and compare them. You might find that the Audience series blows you away and that you don't need to spend your entire budget. With my 70s, I have people who would otherwise not care walk into my apartment while I'm playing music, stop, look and say "damn, it sounds amazing in here."

The Dynaudio speakers need power though, so, budget for some big amps. I'm powering my pair with a 450W x 2 @ 4-ohms, you can take a look by clicking on my signature. They really need power to come alive, so demo them using a powerful amplifier.

I actually have auditioned the Forcus 220, center and 110. I thought they were "fun" speakers a little brighter than the contours- Definitely musical. Pretty decent bass extension. Dont get me wrong on the "bright" aspect of the speaker as it is still very neutral. But the contour 3.4 is a much better and more refined speaker.

 

[deedubb]

I can't comment on the Paradigms, but the Def Techs are phenomenal for HT. However, if you're going to spend that kind of dough and have a PSB dealer near you, I would suggest you also audition their Synchrony line.

 

[codexp3]

rded - I'm going to be listening to 95% HT on the system very little music. On Monday I listen to the deftechs, and B&W 800 series. The Dynaudio dealer is closed on Monday's so I'm going to go over Friday after I complete my rounds. And yes, i'm in the market for new subs. I'm not sold on SVS because I DO NOT like ported enclosures. Not tight enough. I haven't heard one yet, but I doubt it would satisfy me. I did hear a JL with the paradigm system yesterday, sounded good, but I need a beast!

You say you didn't like the deftechs? How did you like them vs. paradigm studio 100s? I liked the studio 100s but loved the signature s8s. I'm at the point in my life where cost isn't too much of a concern. I finally have a six figure salary with the exception of 200k in student loan debt! I'm just not sure I can justify spending 14k on the signature 5.1 when the studios go for 8. I will say I noticed a difference with the tweeters and mids on the signature series. It was noticalbe, but not significantly. For nearly twice the price the sound was slightly better.

Let me know how you liked the supertowers vs.the 100s. -Josh

 

[cbraver]

I actually have auditioned the Forcus 220, center and 110. I thought they were "fun" speakers a little brighter than the contours- Definitely musical. Pretty decent bass extension. Dont get me wrong on the "bright" aspect of the speaker as it is still very neutral. But the contour 3.4 is a much better and more refined speaker.

That's about how I imagined them. Dynaudio has always been pretty linear about how they price stuff vs. performance. Compared to other brands though, even the more expensive Contours I consider a value speaker (in comparison to other speakers in the same price range). I think you get a lot for your dollar with Dynaudio. To me, Dynaudio is the M&K from the other side. Neutral and a lot of speaker for the money.

rded - I'm going to be listening to 95% HT on the system very little music. On Monday I listen to the deftechs, and B&W 800 series. The Dynaudio dealer is closed on Monday's so I'm going to go over Friday after I complete my rounds. And yes, i'm in the market for new subs. I'm not sold on SVS because I DO NOT like ported enclosures. Not tight enough. I haven't heard one yet, but I doubt it woud satisfy me. I did hear a JL with the paradigm system yesterday, sounded good, but I need a beast!

You should look at Bag End subwoofers. They are excellent. The Infrasub-18 might be right up your alley.

http://www.bagend.com/

Here is an Infrasub-18 review:
http://www.soundstage.com/video/revequip/bagend_infrasub18.htm

Here is an Infra-12 review:
http://ultimateavmag.com/subwoofers/1104bagend/

I'd love a pair of Infrasub-18's, whenever I live in a place that could handle them. They are simply amazing sounding subwoofers. If you want more output, Bag End sells bigger subwoofer than that (dual 18" ... from the professional line they even have a quad 21")