Energy RC-70 or Paradigm Studio 60?

[JDawg]

+1 for Paradigm Reference Studio series line of speakers.

* And as for the center speaker, the CC-590 is already HUGE, and weights a very healthy 45 pounds.

About the CC-390 then? It's $300 cheaper (retail), and it measures 39 inches wide, by 3 feet deep (just kidding ), by 8.5 inches high, and by 14.63 inches deep. And it only weights 61 pounds. Still, that's 8 pounds less than the CC-690.
And the CC-690 retails for a very cool $1,349.
But the CC-390 retails for only a minuscule $699.

Ladies & gentleman, please, make your pledges.

The CC-390 is from the Monitor series so would it still match well with the Studio line of speakers? The size of that speaker is also really huge and I would have to make a little stand for my TV to go on and slide the center underneath the stand. Its also big enough that I could even put my TV right on top of it. I'm assuming these large center channel speakers sound better right?

 

[Lordoftherings]

The CC-390 is from the Monitor series so would it still match well with the Studio line of speakers? The size of that speaker is also really huge and I would have to make a little stand for my TV to go on and slide the center underneath the stand. Its also big enough that I could even put my TV right on top of it. I'm assuming these large center channel speakers sound better right?

Hey JDawg,

Go to your Paradigm dealer in Vancouver, and ask them if it will match your Signature series. If they say YES, they are honest, and that's a good sign.
The CC-390 would save you a serious chunk of money.
Ask your dealer if you can try it at home over the weekend, it should be no problem. just give them the appropriate collateral.
Even if the CC-390 is quite big, I'll show you how to properly insrtall it in your system, and it will look fantastic under your display.
Plus it will sounds great too with your Signatures.
A large center speaker is like a dose of good sense to your system, trust me.
It's the most important channel of them all, working in unisson with your two front mains, your subwoofer and all your surrounds.
But most of the sound from movies, come from the center channel at about 80% of the time, if not more.

Let me know how things work out with your Vancouver Paradigm dealer, and I will give you some good tips.
* By the way, I used to live in Vancouver. I now live In Victoria.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hey JDawg, Canadian bro,

There's a very nice guy here at Audioholics that you probably know, Warpdrv.

He has Paradigm Reference Signature S6 .v1 speakers I believe, and he has a Paradigm Reference Signature C3 .v4 center speaker.

* Here's two pictures of his setup before he made a special cabinet for his center speaker (with and without grilles):

1. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d109/Warpdrv/home theater/IMG_1647-small.jpg

2. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d109/Warpdrv/HT-Great Room/Picture002.jpg

-> So, with these great big Paradigm center speakers, you can certainly put your TV display right on top of them.

* And here's the final picture with the separate cabinet that house his center speaker.
Just check post #2, with picture of before and after.
[While he was posting his pictures, I was making a plan (post #3) on how to build a cabinet for the center speaker, so you can rest the TV on top of it, without touching the center speaker, just for external protection if you desire.]
>> This is the best way, in my opinion, and it looks just great. <<

@ http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56362

It's from the thread called: "Paradigm Center Channel Help?"

===> That should give you a good idea of what's possible with one of these big Paradigm center speaker.
And you should also talk to Warpdrv for some good insights, on the proper choice of center speaker, as a good match for your speakers in your particular situation.
Just PM him from the above linked thread.

Regards,

Bob

 

[oppman99]

I believe those pics are Studio 100's and a Studio center,not the Signature line. Valid point about stacking though. One other note, the new Studio v.5's taper down toward the back making placing anything on top of them difficult.

 

[dobyblue]

Someone suggested I get the CC-690 instead of the 590 if I do decide to go with Paradigm. The problem is its so much more expensive and its also way bigger. I don't know how I would fit that on my TV stand.

IMO the only reason to pick the 690 over the 590 is if you're going to be driving them with that much more power. Otherwise stick with the 590.

If you're listening to multi-channel music I would definitely stick with the Studio centre over the Monitor centre. If the cost is prohibitive consider looking in the used market on Canuck Audio Mart or Audiogon.

 

[Warpdrv]

I believe those pics are Studio 100's and a Studio center,not the Signature line. Valid point about stacking though. One other note, the new Studio v.5's taper down toward the back making placing anything on top of them difficult.

That is correct oppman....

My Sigs are in my bedroom, show in "Warp's Love Shack" thread...
Shown is the Sig S4's, with a C3 center in Rosewood... The C3 is a spectacular center channel BTW
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44008

The other setup is all Studio .v4's in my great room....

BTW Lordoftherings.... Paradigm did NOT make a S6 until .v2.

 

[JDawg]

I finally got a chance today to go take a look at the Studio 60's and I was blown away by how good they sound. They're so much better than the Energy RC70 that I don't even need to think about getting those anymore. They're so much smaller too compared to my JBL's and they sound so much better. There was quite a bit of bass coming from these speakers that I had to ask if the sound was only coming from the two speakers. After listening to them I'm 99% sure these are the ones I'm going to get. Its $2300 for a pair and $999 for the CC-590 center channel. I'm hoping that I can get it down by at least 10% whenever I decide to go buy them.

I looked at the links above and that center channel cabinet is the exact same idea I had. I think I'm going to make one for when I get the CC-590 because there's just not enough space on my stand to fit the tv and the center channel. Right now my speaker is small enough I can put it right in front of my TV.

Wow I still can't believe how good they sound. My JBL's sound like garbage now compared to the Studio 60.

I was told the Studio 100 needs a good powerful amp to get the best sound from them. Does this also apply with the Studio 60 or is my Yamaha RX-V1800 good enough? The salesman says its good enough but I just thought i should also ask on here in case this guy didn't know what he was talking about.

 

[UncleCheese]

JDawg,
I have the 60s V5/Yamaha RXV-1600 receiver and I believe yes an amp would be a big plus! I have not purchased one yet but it is the next thing on my long list.

 

[oppman99]

I agree with UncleCheese. A good amp will take those speakers up another notch. They will sound fine with the Yamaha you have, but they will sing with more clean power than the AVR can provide. I was blown away with the difference adding an amp made to my 100's.

 

[JDawg]

Well I guess I'll add an amp to the list of things to get in the future. The Emotiva amps look nice and affordable but shipping from the US to Canada might be very expensive. When I listened to the speakers in the store it was hooked up to a Yamaha amp. I'm not sure which model it was but I think it was either the A-S2000 or A-S1000. They're so expensive for a 2 channel stereo amp. I suppose if I'm happy with how they sound with my receiver than I might not even need an amp.

 

[Robof83]

Well those speakers are 92dB efficient so unless you are listening at beyond ear bleed levels or have really large room, you won't see any benefit at all from an external amp.

What size is your room? I say when you budget recovers, you should look into room treatments, you'd likely get almost the same jump and sound you got from your JBL to the Paradigms with some simple treatments.

Glad you made a purchase that you are happy with. Those are some excellent looking speakers, and I'm sure they sound just as nice.

 

[Lordoftherings]

JDawg,
I have the 60s V5/Yamaha RXV-1600 receiver and I believe yes an amp would be a big plus! I have not purchased one yet but it is the next thing on my long list.

Agree, an external amp will improve the sound even further.

I agree with UncleCheese. A good amp will take those speakers up another notch. They will sound fine with the Yamaha you have, but they will sing with more clean power than the AVR can provide. I was blown away with the difference adding an amp made to my 100's.

True, all Paradigm Studios will benefit from adding a very good external amp.

Well I guess I'll add an amp to the list of things to get in the future. The Emotiva amps look nice and affordable but shipping from the US to Canada might be very expensive. When I listened to the speakers in the store it was hooked up to a Yamaha amp. I'm not sure which model it was but I think it was either the A-S2000 or A-S1000. They're so expensive for a 2 channel stereo amp. I suppose if I'm happy with how they sound with my receiver than I might not even need an amp.

For Canadians like us, Emotiva products cost more, but it still very worth it; unless you can find a used Bryston amp for a good deal; but they usually cost much more than an imported Emotiva amp.

Your Yamaha RX-V1800 will certainly drive them, but the day you will decide to add an external amp, you will notice the improvement.

Cheers to all,
Bob

 

[Robof83]

LOTR, I think it really depends on the size of his room doesn't it? I mean if he's in small 12 x 14 x 10 room the point at which the external amps starts sounding better than the Yamaha will be way beyond comfortable listening levels.

Unless he has a big room, I just don't see how he would get any benefit at all from upgrading his amp.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Well those speakers are 92dB efficient so unless you are listening at beyond ear bleed levels or have really large room, you won't see any benefit at all from an external amp.

What size is your room? I say when you budget recovers, you should look into room treatments, you'd likely get almost the same jump and sound you got from your JBL to the Paradigms with some simple treatments.

Glad you made a purchase that you are happy with. Those are some excellent looking speakers, and I'm sure they sound just as nice.

Hey Rob,

It's more than a sensitivity issue here, it's a variable load impedance from the frequency response, the electrical phase, the x-over and damping from the drivers.
They just want current and lots of it to sing great. And the louder they play, the better they sound. That's the Canadian quality way.
They also need about 100 hours of break in.

Bob

 

[Robof83]

It's seems that we have a differing opinion.

BTW my name is not Rob, I know my tag is misleading, but it was just a randomly generated name I got for an account somewhere way back when.

 

[Lordoftherings]

It's seems that we have a differing opinion.

BTW my name is not Rob, I know my tag is misleading, but it was just a randomly generated name I got for an account somewhere way back when.

No sweat Robof83.

Differing opinions happen a lot in speaker's thread. Ever wonder why?

 

[GO-NAD!]

LOTR, I think it really depends on the size of his room doesn't it? I mean if he's in small 12 x 14 x 10 room the point at which the external amps starts sounding better than the Yamaha will be way beyond comfortable listening levels.

Unless he has a big room, I just don't see how he would get any benefit at all from upgrading his amp.

I have to agree with Robof83 on this one. It really does depend on his room size and the volume he listens at. If he isn't clipping the amp in his AVR and it isn't getting too warm, why would he need an external amp? I don't think he gave enough info to base a such recommendation on. IMHO...

 

[UncleCheese]

JDawg,

Amp or no amp, you're Yamaha will serve you well for the time being. I play my 60s/Yamaha pretty friggin' loud and I have no problems with clipping at all. My room would be about the same size as yours, maybe a tad bigger. When I had my Monitor 11's, I had a lot of clipping at the same high volume levels that I play my 60s at now. The 60s just seem to say..."that's all you got?"

 

[popotoys]

I would also ask if you are going to run them full range or not. If you are going to run a sub in the mix, and cross them over, then you should have more than enough power.

 

[oppman99]

It really does depend on his room size and the volume he listens at. If he isn't clipping the amp in his AVR and it isn't getting too warm, why would he need an external amp? I don't think he gave enough info to base a such recommendation on. IMHO...

I don't think it's a question of need. By similar logic, why not get the cheapest speakers availible since they play music? Why bother to spend more? Answer: Because I like the improvement in SQ. It comes down to the saying that good is the enemy of great. Like I said in an earlier post, an AVR will drive those speakers and sound good, but a quality amp will make them sound even better. My pool room is not all that big (13' x 24') and both my Studio towers and Signature bookshelf speakers sound better to me with an external amp compared to a Yamaha RXV-2500.