Going from Klipsch to Paradigm Question

[jb5200]

I went from Klipsch RF82 to Paradigm Studio 100v4. I listen mostly to hard rock (Breaking Benjamin, Cold, 10 Years, Linkin Park, etc.) and the amount of detail, smoothness, and imaging that the Paradigms have is astounding and I don’t think I can go back to the Klipsch because they are lacking so much.

Here’s my question: How do I get the snap or punch out of the 100's that is missing. I just don’t here the “CRACK” of the snare drum or the “PUNCH” of the bass drum? The speakers are actually kinda dead in this area, no presence. They just do not have the “POWER” that I think they should have.

I realize that the Klipsch are made for that kinda music but they are lacking so much. Is there another brand of speaker out there that would give me the detail, smoothness, and imaging but will give me that snap that I am looking for? I am thinking of B&W b/c you read so much about them. Or do I need to step up to the Signature Series from Paradigm? The problem is I can’t listen to the B&W so I would be buying based on responses.

Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch) they have to be attractive looking since I live with my girlfriend (her house) so she has to approve of them. I think paradigms are some of the best looking speakers out there (that I can afford).

I am driving them with Yamaha RX-V3800 and Parasound HCA 1200 mkII (200w/ch).

Thanks

 

[walter duque]

I went from Klipsch RF82 to Paradigm Studio 100v4. I listen mostly to hard rock (Breaking Benjamin, Cold, 10 Years, Linkin Park, etc.) and the amount of detail, smoothness, and imaging that the Paradigms have is astounding and I don’t think I can go back to the Klipsch because they are lacking so much.

Here’s my question: How do I get the snap or punch out of the 100's that is missing. I just don’t here the “CRACK” of the snare drum or the “PUNCH” of the bass drum? The speakers are actually kinda dead in this area, no presence. They just do not have the “POWER” that I think they should have.

I realize that the Klipsch are made for that kinda music but they are lacking so much. Is there another brand of speaker out there that would give me the detail, smoothness, and imaging but will give me that snap that I am looking for? I am thinking of B&W b/c you read so much about them. Or do I need to step up to the Signature Series from Paradigm? The problem is I can’t listen to the B&W so I would be buying based on responses.

Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch) they have to be attractive looking since I live with my girlfriend (her house) so she has to approve of them. I think paradigms are some of the best looking speakers out there (that I can afford).

I am driving them with Yamaha RX-V3800 and Parasound HCA 1200 mkII (200w/ch).

Thanks

Could be the your Yamaha which you are using for a preamp. May you have to step up to a good processor.

 

[Jey Jockey]

I went from Klipsch RF82 to Paradigm Studio 100v4. I listen mostly to hard rock (Breaking Benjamin, Cold, 10 Years, Linkin Park, etc.) and the amount of detail, smoothness, and imaging that the Paradigms have is astounding and I don’t think I can go back to the Klipsch because they are lacking so much.

Here’s my question: How do I get the snap or punch out of the 100's that is missing. I just don’t here the “CRACK” of the snare drum or the “PUNCH” of the bass drum? The speakers are actually kinda dead in this area, no presence. They just do not have the “POWER” that I think they should have.

I realize that the Klipsch are made for that kinda music but they are lacking so much. Is there another brand of speaker out there that would give me the detail, smoothness, and imaging but will give me that snap that I am looking for? I am thinking of B&W b/c you read so much about them. Or do I need to step up to the Signature Series from Paradigm? The problem is I can’t listen to the B&W so I would be buying based on responses.

Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch) they have to be attractive looking since I live with my girlfriend (her house) so she has to approve of them. I think paradigms are some of the best looking speakers out there (that I can afford).

I am driving them with Yamaha RX-V3800 and Parasound HCA 1200 mkII (200w/ch).

Thanks

What you are missing is mid range slam as it is sometimes referred to. It may be your room accoustics that are at fault, highly unlikely that your electronics are causing your lack of slam unless the speakers are severely under powered. I would reccomend auditioning speakers untill you find that sound that you are looking for.

I will say that my Rocket 850's pour the slam on hard and will hit you in the gut with kick drum and bass attacks etc. Speakers are very personal and only you will know what you like when you hear it. For what its worth, I owned Klipsch RF 83 for 5 months and had to dump them...they just didn't do it for me...mid range was non existant and the highs were painfull. Axiom 80's have good slam but I also got rid of them because of unruly and piercing highs.

Good Luck!

 

[fredk]

jb5200. It could be room acoustics, but if you have the Paradigms in the same room and setup, the difference in sound is more likely the speakers.

The Studios are a neutral speaker with a nice flat response across its frequency range. That kick/punch you are missing may be an overemphasis of some frequencies by the Klipsch.

You can try playing with the in room placement to see if you can improve the sound of the Paradigms.

Give yourself a little time to get used to the sound of the Studios and then do another comparison to see if your opinion has changed.

 

[tom67]

Nonsense

Sounds like you really liked the Klipsch better and dont want to admit it after making the expenditure....dont second guess yourself on your original choice based on phantom qualities you really can't hear....If the Klipsch punch works for you, stick with it...the point is not to try to validate your purchase...I did that once with an Adcom amp which was junk and returned to the old Yamaha...

 

[jb5200]

Thank you for everyone's response! I appreciate your advice as I am pretty new to this and am getting hooked as you would say.

I did like the Klipsch for their slam but I couldn't go back b/c they are too Brash! There is such a gap from the voice and highs to the boomy bass. And after hearing Paradigm's smoothness the Klipsch highs are very strainy! For the money they are a good speaker don't get me wrong but they just aren't what I am looking for.

After the reviews about the 100's I guess I expected more. They sound extremely dreamy but are missing that "CRACK" and "PUNCH" like I stated ealier. I did eventually hear the sound I am looking for but it came from the $7000 Signature S8 which I cannot afford. Not to mention they were powering it with $9000 worth of Anthem stuff.

So my next question is what are B&W like since everyone raves about them. I thought about the 803 since it looks like it compares to the 100's but what do they sound like?

If you ever get the chance to listen to Shure SE530 earbuds - THAT'S THE SOUND I WANT - BUT IN A SPEAKER! Without paying $7000 for them. I guess that's the best way to describe it. I know this is everybody's wish to get the magical speaker but cheap. I am not apposed to paying for what speakers are worth but I can't justify $7000 on a teacher's salary. I put those in the Spank Bank category.

Thanks again for everybody's help!

 

[RacineBoxer]

I'm curious... could you describe in a little more detail how the Paradigms are more smooth on music such as Linkin Park? Perhaps you could reference a track or two and how the reproduction differs from speaker to speaker.

 

[PSWii60]

Try this beast.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/7900.html

 

[Highbar]

Maybe you should just try a new amp? It sounds a little like they just don't have the same output that you are used to. The Klipsch are a much more efficient speaker at 98dB v the Digms that are right around 90dB, if not a couple less. See if you can barrow or try out a new amp and if that makes a difference.

 

[markw]

All speakers are compromises.

while one may like certain things about certain speakers, it's difficult to find one that satisfies in all areas.

Sometimes you just have to go with the one that does most of the things you like best the way you like 'em. "Smooth" and "slam" are fairly contradictory.

But, the 'digms do require a lot more power than the Klipshes do for the same relative volume level, particularly in certain ranges.

 

[jsholland70]

Check out Monitor Audio's lineup. They look great but are extremely efficient. They should give you quite a punch but will sound very musical. In fact I would suggest that they would out perform the Paradigms (I used to sell Paradigms and liked them a lot). Also make sure you have a good power amp that can drive the speakers the way they are intended.

 

[nova]

I'd second the Monitor Audio suggestion. Some Gold or Silver series should meet your needs in the looks department. They also have a bit of an emphasis on the upper mids and nice detailed highs that are not fatiguing. Still, with an accurate speaker you are not going to get the "slam" you want.

 

[hotroady]

Well, if you haven't heard Klipsch with tubes, you haven't heard them at all.

 

[bandphan]

Well, if you haven't heard Klipsch with tubes, you haven't heard them at all.

really and which tubes and which klipsch?

 

[hotroady]

really and which tubes and which klipsch?

Klipsch came out in 1946, long before the transistor. For an outstanding 2 way, 'bookshelf' an RB-75, bi-wired. A Puresonic Quadramatic 410C w Telefunken long smoothplate 12AX7's and GE fat bottles. Balanced, detailed, dynamic sparkle w punchy bass. Add a RW-12 front firing sub for lows. Very nice for space/ money considerations.

 

[bandphan]

Klipsch came out in 1946, long before the transistor. For an outstanding 2 way, 'bookshelf' an RB-75, bi-wired. A Puresonic Quadramatic 410C w Telefunken long smoothplate 12AX7's and GE fat bottles. Balanced, detailed, dynamic sparkle w punchy bass. Add a RW-12 front firing sub for lows. Very nice for space/ money considerations.

what is the benifit from bi-wiring? Also for 2ch I like the sound that tubes add, but have found them less than average for bass Cant really see anyone running tube amps in HT.(not that it doesnt happen)

 

[hotroady]

Bi-wiring puts the common at the amp and bypasses the connection inside the speakers. I use single strand solid core for tweets and larger ga multi-strand for woofs. Bass and treble become a little more defined. Damping factor is usually low for tubes, lower impedance cables help. The Puresonic had the most DF of any amp, back in 1965 with 181 DF. Bass control becomes good at about 20 DF, most vintage tube amps had around a 10 DF. I have 3 channel capable tube amps that can drive a center and 2 fronts. If your A/V unit has pre outs, you can use it's surround. I have Martin Logan Logos center and Clarity speakers, the advantage would be the sound of 'stats with tubes. Multiply tube RMS watts times 2.75 to equal S.S. power rating.

 

[hotroady]

Also make sure you have a good power amp that can drive the speakers the way they are intended.

This your problem, bright, grainy mid-fi amps. Not at all a good match for Klipsch