Help please. New to the audiophile thing, system from scratch...

[RRidgeback]

First off a big thanks in advance to anyone willing to help out a newbie!
I have a general question regarding a new system. I have been doing my homework and am looking at the following:

Paradigm:
F: Studio 100's
C: CC-590(wife not going for the 690 )
R:ADP-590(mounting considerations, in ceiling and stands not an option)
S: Unsure - Paradigm SUB-12 v. SVS SB13 Ultra

I have a Denon 789 with minimal use works fine, so I don't have to go separates right away.

Dealer is giving pretty darn good prices on the Paradigm(compared to MSRP)

Looking at Marantz AV7701/MM7705 combo.(again pretty good combo price)

So, for minus the sub is there a better speaker set up for <$5500?

Opinions/thoughts on sub? Problem is it's a multipurpose rec room = very large cubic feet.

Again, thanks for any and all input.

 

[shadyJ]

I wouldn't worry about getting a separate amplifier. I would just get speakers that don't need a separate amp. Only get an amp if you end up wanting your speakers to get a bit louder than what your AVR can take them too.

Paradigm is fine as far as speakers go, but speakers are a subjective matter and some definitely prefer other brands over them. I would audition as many different kinds as you can. A single SUB 12 or SB13 would be badly deficient in a large room. I would get two at the very least least. I would go with ported over sealed in a large room as well, but I am guessing WAF is not going to let that happen. Those bipole surround speakers look terrible, I would just go with some regular bookshelf speakers for the surrounds as well. If it were me, I would change the front left/rights and surround speakers with bookshelf speakers and get at least two beefy subwoofers, maybe a couple of Rythmik FV15HPs in gloss black. I would get a receiver that has Audyssey XT32 as well, like the Denon AVR-X4000. That Marantz AVR is badly overpriced for something that only has MulitiEQ XT.

 

[Swerd]

I agree with shadyJ on a number of his points.

Don't run out and buy a separate preamp and amps. See what your present AVR can do with those speakers. If you do end up shopping for a new AVR, be certain to look for one that has preamp output jacks for the various audio channels. That way you have the option of adding an external amp at a later time while using the AVR as a preamp. For example, you can get a 2-channel amp to drive the front left and right speakers, while using the AVR's amp channels to drive the rest.

What ever sub you get, it will take you some time before you get it set up right. Try moving it around to different locations by trial & error. Be patient before you throw more money at it.

The CC-590 center speaker should be more than adequate. The main content of center channel sound is dialog, therefore clear sounding voice reproduction is the center speaker's job, not deep bass. The CC-690 looks very large, even too large, creating problems about where to put it.

For rear channel speakers, go with smaller 2-way bookshelf type speakers. They can be mounted on stands or wall/ceiling brackets.

 

[English210]

You mention it being a very large room, so I'd plan on external amplification, unless your volume requirements are moderate. That's easy, though. The toughest part is the speakers, because no one can really help you a lot - they are so subjective, that what one person would recommend highly, another would warn you away from, simply because of personal preferences. The room itself will play a part in what sounds good. Does it have lots of hard, reflective surfaces, or is it carpeted with soft furniture that absorb sound? My own opinion is that if the speakers are right, pretty much any brand of good quality electronics will work, and the differences will be relatively minor. Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, Yamaha, Onkyo, etc, all make good stuff - each with their proponents and detractors, but no major differences in sound quality and power delivery.

This can be tedious process, but the results of taking the time to audition carefully, and buy even more carefully will make the difference between a $15K system that sounds like $5K or $50K.