Need help in finding warm sounding receiver to pair with Paradigm Monitors

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Are you refering to the review done by HT Magazine? If so, take his comments with a grain of salt. None of amp, pre-amp, or recevier reviews show a frequency response so it may be just some subjective mumbo jumbo on his part.

You are too generous.

I say don't believe a single word they say.

Just look at the measurement section for FR, THD, crosstalk, & SNR.

This Pioneer AVR, just like all of them, has a flat FR & pretty good (inaudible) THD, crosstalk, & SNR.

The only thing that will change the sound is the Tone Control, Room EQ, & DSP.

 

[cornelius]

A "monitor" is a speaker that does not impart any tonal changes to the signal, aka accurate sound. By adding a "warm" receiver, you will have negated the accuracy of the Paradigm Monitor. The only way to do this right, is pair the monitor with an accurate receiver and (as mentioned by 3db) control the room's effect on sound.

Any big brand/mass market receiver (like, Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, Onkyo) in the $1000 range will fit the accuracy criteria. Look for the product that meets your processing and power needs.

Lose the 'digms... As mentioned, the receiver will not make a difference - you will not find a warm receiver. Paradigms are not "accurate", no surprise that they're bright - that's a common adjective to describe Paradigms...

 

[STRONGBADF1]

What receiver are you using now? As mentioned already, a receiver with a good EQ could tame the "brightness" for you. (as well as other problems in the response) Does your current receiver have an EQ or adjustable tone controls?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Lose the 'digms... As mentioned, the receiver will not make a difference - you will not find a warm receiver. Paradigms are not "accurate", no surprise that they're bright - that's a common adjective to describe Paradigms...

Although I do not like the sound of Paradigm, their on-axis & off-axis FR are quite good.

I can understand why I don't like the sound of B&W (poor FR), but I just don't understand why I do not like Paradigm.

 

[Docks]

You have a few options.

1. Do a room response sweep, see how bright these really are. Based on this you may just be lacking some bass and that your room may be too large for this speaker.
2. If you just want to have your sound more enjoyable, roll off the treble a bit with your current setup.
3. Some people just dont like flat responses. I find myself adjusting my eq settings according to music styles. Some days I enjoy dubstep utilizing bass heavy settings, others I enjoy classical utilizing a flat setting. Listening to bass heavy content with flat eq can leave you wanting more. Flat response can also reveal a very poor recording. Upon purchasing my Paradigm S8's I've never heard some of my existing content sound so poor. 128k mp3s are pretty bad by normal standards, to hear them on a flat system is next to unbearable. Upon getting a flat response your system becomes very much like a window, hearing flaws in poorly recorded music but being blown away by good recordings. To this day my Paradigm S8's still give me goosebumps on some tracks.
4. Sell them and get a different speaker.

Linear response speakers will of course be the most accurate, but IMO it's important to be subjective when looking for speakers too. If a $200 dollar bose set sounds best to you then enjoy it!

 

[ski2xblack]

Treat your room acoustically as it may be a live room that emphasizes treble...

Nevermind, how does your room sound, anyway? You've not described it yet, and is an aspect that must be addressed. A little creative treatment here and there and you may yet end up liking the Paradigms.

 

[nevermind]

What receiver are you using now? As mentioned already, a receiver with a good EQ could tame the "brightness" for you. (as well as other problems in the response) Does your current receiver have an EQ or adjustable tone controls?

I am currently using Pioneer VSX-43TX with manual MCACC which I am planning to replace. I have narrowed down my search for receivers to Denon 3312, Marantz SR6006 and Onkyo TX-NR809. I am also planning to get SVS PB12-NSD Sub.
Do the EQ's in the new receivers adjust the tone as well or just the speaker level and delays?

 

[nevermind]

Nevermind, how does your room sound, anyway? You've not described it yet, and is an aspect that must be addressed. A little creative treatment here and there and you may yet end up liking the Paradigms.

My room size is 14'x19' with vaulted ceiling. It's closed on 3 sides and open on the fourth side. You guys are right, the room could be causing the problem as well.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I am currently using Pioneer VSX-43TX with manual MCACC which I am planning to replace. I have narrowed down my search for receivers to Denon 3312, Marantz SR6006 and Onkyo TX-NR809. I am also planning to get SVS PB12-NSD Sub.
Do the EQ's in the new receivers adjust the tone as well or just the speaker level and delays?

If I were you I'd use the MCACC to roll off the high end and keep it that way for a few days and see if your opinion changes. You could also change the room acoustics by placing a rug on the floor if there isn't one or adding heavy drapes over uncovered windows if there is any. In other words, do yourself a favor and play around before you spend any money.

The sub can also change your perception of the overall balance of sound.

I'd probably buy the Denon if I just had to buy a receiver anyway.

 

[3db]

Do what STRONGBADF1 suggested in teh above post and let it ride for a few days. Also work on the room acoustics if you can becuase a highly reflective room will make a spekaer sound very edgy and bright. Buying down a receiver to cure this malaise is akin to taking two aspirins when your arm has been severed and your losing blood. The aspirins just won't stop the bleeding.

 

[nevermind]

If I were you I'd use the MCACC to roll off the high end and keep it that way for a few days.

How do you do that? Can you please explain what you mean by 'roll off'.

I went thru the manual and it does not have a setup that says MCACC as such. It has Normal surround setup and Expert setup. The details I have posted below:

Setting Up for Surround Sound
SURRBACK SYSTEM (Surround Back System) ...... 35
NORMAL setup
SPEAKER SETTING .............................................. 37
CHANNEL LEVEL (channel balance) ................... 39
CHANNEL DELAY ................................................. 40
Expert Setup
CROSSOVER NETWORK ...................................... 80
FINE CHANNEL LEVEL ......................................... 81
FINE CHANNEL DELAY ........................................ 82
ACOUSTIC CAL EQ ............................................... 84
BASS PEAK LEVEL ............................................... 86
DYNAMIC RANGE CONTROL .............................. 87

Please tell me which type of setup that I have to play with to roll off the high end.

Thanks very much.

 

[Docks]

Response Curve

Below is a FR of the Paradigm monitors 7's. They appear to be a bit bass heavy with a treble hump from 5-10khz. Some parametric EQ in the 5-10khz area would warm the sound up for you. If you still find bass is lacking it seems like your room would be a bit too large or that you prefer more bass. Regardless, play around with the bass settings until you are happy. Also try playing around with the toe-in of the speakers as this will adjust your image and soundstage.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...
The only thing that will change the sound is the Tone Control, Room EQ, & DSP.

You mean the speakers will not change the sound of that flay receiver?

 

[mtrycrafts]

.

I can understand why I don't like the sound of B&W (poor FR), but I just don't understand why I do not like Paradigm.

Look at the 5 dB boost below 2 kHz all the way down to what, 80 Hz?

 

[STRONGBADF1]

How do you do that? Can you please explain what you mean by 'roll off'.

I went thru the manual and it does not have a setup that says MCACC as such. It has Normal surround setup and Expert setup. The details I have posted below:

Setting Up for Surround Sound
SURRBACK SYSTEM (Surround Back System) ...... 35
NORMAL setup
SPEAKER SETTING .............................................. 37
CHANNEL LEVEL (channel balance) ................... 39
CHANNEL DELAY ................................................. 40
Expert Setup
CROSSOVER NETWORK ...................................... 80
FINE CHANNEL LEVEL ......................................... 81
FINE CHANNEL DELAY ........................................ 82
ACOUSTIC CAL EQ ............................................... 84
BASS PEAK LEVEL ............................................... 86
DYNAMIC RANGE CONTROL .............................. 87

Please tell me which type of setup that I have to play with to roll off the high end.

Thanks very much.

Roll off basically means to turn down the volume progressively. Say -2db @ 8khtz and then -4db @ 12Khtz and -6db @ 15khtz. A parametric EQ is the best way to go here but a standard EQ can get you there too.

Page 84 in your manual, but I would make sure all your calibration settings are correct before you EQ anything. Start from the beginning setting up your system after you read some of the Audioholic's set-up articles if you haven't already.

Tips & Tricks — Reviews and News from Audioholics

 

[wire]

I recently purchased Paradigm monitor 7 towers with center and surrounds. I am looking for a warm sounding receiver under $1000 to tone down the brighter sounding paradigms. My initial choice was Marantz SR6006 but I read on the forums that it is an identical twin of Denon 2312. Has anyone listened to the new marantz receivers? OR can someone suggest any other receiver that would have similar sound of older marantz receivers. Any comments will be appreciated.

Research something like this
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver by Bob Carver 7X200 watts | eBay
It might do the trick

 

[mtrycrafts]

Research something like this
Sunfire Ultimate Receiver by Bob Carver 7X200 watts | eBay
It might do the trick

You mean if it blows out the tweeter he will be set as it will be a warm sounding?

 

[psbfan9]

Being lazy

I went through a few of the posts, but I'm being lazy don't want go through all of them. Have you mentioned your room conditions? Bare floors, blank walls, no furniture etc,..

If you're able to, add some dampening/sound absorbing materials like carpeting, wall treatments, curtains/drapes, more furniture. That 'should' help to tone down the brightness.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Look at the 5 dB boost below 2 kHz all the way down to what, 80 Hz?

Oh, I was thinking about the Studio 100 towers.

 

[wire]

You mean if it blows out the tweeter he will be set as it will be a warm sounding?

That wouldbe something , to push that receiver past 200 per channel to blow a tweeter ( hehe ) , maybe blow the woofer to the other side of the room , now that wouldbe cool haha
Bob does put that little chip in his amp to make them sound like tube amps , so his amps do not sound like the low end stuff ))