Not really happy with my Paradigm Monitor 9's, Break-in??

[PHANofPHUNK]

Some of you may remember the thread, "Between a paradigm and B&W". I was trying to pick between the Monitor 9's and BW 684.

Paradigms were a lot more sensitive, but gave up low end to achieve that. The BW were less sensitive, and had more low end response.

The hi fi shop owner says to give them 100 hours of break-in time. REALLY??

I understand the concept of break-in, but will I really notice that big of a difference in low end. Or is he just trying to get me to trick myself, by becoming "used to the sound".

Bright side is, he said I could take the BW's home to do side by side demo, citing it may be my rooms acustics.


So, is break-in really that important?


BTW My wife thinks I'm crazy

 

[JerryLove]

It is your brain that breaks in, not the speakers.

That said: it doesn't make the effect any less real (subjectively).

But if it's the low end that's the issue: add subs. I almost never recommend worrying about speaker response below that necessary to integrate with sub-woofers because, with very few exceptions, speakers are not going to go low enough sans-sub.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

I hear ya, They sound wonderful with the sub. The thing is I really like going "Pure Direct" mode for music. as you know that cuts off all processing. Just the front two channels. No sub...

I wonder how many people really go Pure Direct mode for music anyway.

And in the long run, the Paradigm center channel is about 200 less then the bw, and the Paradigm sub is about 175 less then the bw.

I don't need to go pure direct.

I don't need to go pure direct.

I don't need to go pure direct.

Ok this is working........

 

[j_garcia]

I don't notice that much difference going source direct, so I don't use it anymore unless I don't want the sub playing.

If you aren't happy with the speakers now, you aren't going to be any more happy with them in 100hrs.

IMO, I wouldn't buy a sub from B&W or Paradigm

 

[highfigh]

I hear ya, They sound wonderful with the sub. The thing is I really like going "Pure Direct" mode for music. as you know that cuts off all processing. Just the front two channels. No sub...

I wonder how many people really go Pure Direct mode for music anyway.

And in the long run, the Paradigm center channel is about 200 less then the bw, and the Paradigm sub is about 175 less then the bw.

Where are you sitting, relative to the speakers? You may be sitting in a null and the bass is canceling. Moving the speakers may fix this, too. Look for a room mode calculator online and fine out if your room's dimensions are working against you. They were doing that in my room and I placed some panels in the corners, to act as bass traps. It makes a huge difference.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

This may be the problem, Im siting about 8 feet away, with a door way into the kitchen right behind me, and a dinning room off the main room.

We rent the house sop things will be changing in a few years anyway.

As far as subs go, I really like the price of Velodyne, perferibly the Impact 10.

I understand they make good products, any insight?? $300 range...


Here's a pic of the seating area, its a tad small,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55925369@N07/5256354646/

 

[zieglj01]

I really like the price of Velodyne, perferibly the Impact 10.
I understand they make good products, any insight?? $300 range...

The rack cabinet is interfering with your speaker, as well as the TV stand.
At the least, the front of the towers need to be a little forward of the rack
and the TV cabinet.
The back wall could use a little treatment - and the pure glass window is
not helping.

For your budget - I would check this out.
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

 

[mtrycrafts]

This may be the problem, Im siting about 8 feet away, with a door way into the kitchen right behind me, and a dinning room off the main room.

We rent the house sop things will be changing in a few years anyway.

As far as subs go, I really like the price of Velodyne, perferibly the Impact 10.

I understand they make good products, any insight?? $300 range...


Here's a pic of the seating area, its a tad small,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55925369@N07/5256354646/

You certainly can use a sub with pure direct mode. You would have to send the speaker wires, left and right, to the sub's speaker/high level input then to the left and right speakers. the problem is that you may not be able to use the sub with other modes without rewiring it.
That shop is out in left field or the next galaxy about break in.

 

[highfigh]

This may be the problem, Im siting about 8 feet away, with a door way into the kitchen right behind me, and a dinning room off the main room.

We rent the house sop things will be changing in a few years anyway.

As far as subs go, I really like the price of Velodyne, perferibly the Impact 10.

I understand they make good products, any insight?? $300 range...


Here's a pic of the seating area, its a tad small,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55925369@N07/5256354646/

Well, there's yer problem! Ya got too many dogs in the way!

Seriously, if you can make a diagram of the room with dimensions, the room's modes can be calculated and I would bet that a large part of the problem is where your speakers are located, where you sit in relation to them and the room's dimensions/surface characteristics.

Reverse the polarity of the speakers- it makes a big difference.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You certainly can use a sub with pure direct mode. You would have to send the speaker wires, left and right, to the sub's speaker/high level input then to the left and right speakers. the problem is that you may not be able to use the sub with other modes without rewiring it.

I've done that when I had my NHT bookshelf + sub.

Just set the receiver's speakers setup for the front speakers to be LARGE and Subwoofer to be NONE. So now the full range signal is sent to the Sub's crossover first, then the bass goes to the sub and the midrange/highs to to the bookshelf speakers.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Thanks folks1

I'll make some adjustments

And will look into the HSU subs, they better then Velodyne?

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks folks1

I'll make some adjustments

And will look into the HSU subs, they better then Velodyne?

You will be surprised.

 

[emaja]

Did you buy from University Audio on South Park Street? That's what Ben told me too. I was looking at those two speakers as well. I decided size was important and ended up with the Paradigm Titans. Love 'em.

I am not sure if break-in matters either. I think it probably makes a bit of difference, but also think it is more of my ears getting used to the sound.

What did you decide on the sub? I was considering the Impact-10 or HSU as well.

 

[3db]

I use pure direct as well when listening to two channel be it CD or vinyl and I run my PSB T45s full range. Sometimes I play some music and I think I may be missing some bass. Then I put on a CD like Cream "Live at Albert Hall" and I feel and hear the bass. This tells me that bass is very much recording dependent. When bass is prevalent, my speakers push it out. When its not so prevalent, they don't. I like that becasue my speakers are playing what has been recorded without artificially coloring the bass. They are being accurate and I put that trait above all.

So play some music thats rich with bass and give it a critical listen. Also while playing bass rich music, move the listening position closer or further away from your speakers to see if this improves response. Your current listening position may be sitting at a bass null point, hence the perceived weak bass response.