Center Channel Help

[GSpecialty]

I have the Studio 100s right now, and I am looking to get a matching Center. The CC690 is relativley new, and considering the CC590 used to be the matching center, Im not really sure which way to go.

Im not really worried about price... Paradigms are marked up 100% the MSRP, as a fact. So I know that I can find myself a good deal.

Any suggestions?

 

[DD66000]

If you have a Paradigm dealer in your area, and they have both centers, then take a listen and compare. I'd doubt there is much tonal difference between the two.

 

[Adam]

As DD66000 suggested, listening for yourself is always the best. Until you can do that, though, I'd suggest contacting Paradigm directly (and/or a dealer) to ask them. They should certainly know which of their centers match (or at least are supposed to match) the speakers that you have.

 

[TheFactor]

I've listened to both for about a hour and a half or more walking back and fourth from sound room to sound room and it was a very tuff desicion. They both sound equally as good. The cc690 seemed to have more base and a little brighter but it was very close. The deciding factor for me was it was very impressive looking and backed it up with way it sounds. The funny thing was I didnt expect it to sound better when I got home because it was hooked up at the dealer with separates around 7000 dollars worth. Anyway to my surprise when I got home it sounded even better to me and im only running them with studio 60's and at the time a denon 3808 but now a Pioneer Elite 94, they blend so well, vocals are so crisp and clear. I truly beleive you'll be happy with either one but my personal recommendation would be to go with 690 and when you have company the sound not only will impress them but they'll get the wow effect visually.

 

[TheFactor]

Heres a couple of pics to hopefully help ya out

 

[Warpdrv]

Welcome to Audioholics GSpecialty;

What is the size of your room....? If your listening area is not really all that large, the 590 should be just fine for you....

Are you running a sub with this setup..?

I have both the 690 with my Studio's in a very very large room, and the Signature C3 (same as the CC-590) with my small room setup and they are equally as good as the other...

I bought the 690 because I wanted the best of the best with my first setup, but after getting the C3, I was equally impressed and I have no complaints. You may get a bit more midbass clarity with the 690 over the 590, but its not necessarily a huge difference, if your crossing over to a sub...

I also found a 590 on Audiogon for a good price, and I have bought a number of items from this dealer before... on Audiogon, he is a straight guy. http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1214025778
You could also ask him if he has a 690, I would be very surprised if he didn't.