Looking at buying Paradigm Studio 100's v.4 or Studio 60's V.5? New to home audio, p

[kiwanoron]

I am new to this site.

I have an Integra 8.9 receiver. I am looking at the cc-690 for the center channel. I will use the system for 40% 2 channel music and 50% HT. I can get the Studio 100's v.4 for $1900 and the 60's v.5 for $1700. I am not sure what direction to go in? Any advice will help. I only have a background in high end car audio.

I plan on running at least one powered sub, maybe two? Someday I may buy a separate processor and amp but not in the near future(at least a year out).

 

[jamie2112]

What about the other 10% ???? I like the 100's much better.2 subs are always better than 1 IMO.....

 

[fredk]

I like the 100's much better

Cuz why??

I have only heard the 60s.

 

[kiwanoron]

jamie2112,

The other 10% I will just look at them and enjoy!

It should have read 40% 2 channel stereo and 60% HT.

Have you heard the 60's v.5 or the 100's v.4? I have not heard any of them at this point. I can not listen to them side by side since the 100's are 3 hours west and the 60's are 2 hours east of here.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Kiwanoron,

I listened to the V.5 Studio 60's just a few weeks ago and liked them very much...and of course the new look / cabinet design is quite nice as well. They have a nice detail and focus to their sound, without being to bright, and a wide sound-stage. Not that words can get at all of what one hears, but that is the generally impression I got without doing alot more and varied listening to the speakers.

As for the 60's over the 100's I think that really depends on the room size, your listening habbits (i.e. how loud do you like it?), and your subwoofer. In my case I know that the 60's would be plenty with a PB13, but in a larger room with higher listening levels the 100's would be desirable. This comes down more to personal preference....

Either way you will be most happy with these speakers...

 

[jamie2112]

Cuz why??

I have only heard the 60s.

The 100's are alot louder and bigger sounding(of couse)......I have not heard the 60's but I am sure I know I like the 100's.Thats not to say I don't like the 60's.....I just prefer larger speakers.....

 

[ayrton]

Get the 100s and the 690 and never look back.
I have 100s V4 and a 590 and want no more. Using a Onkyo 906 Bi-amping the 100s. Very Dynamic!!

 

[kiwanoron]

ayrton - I was also planing on bi-amping the front speakers, just was not sure how hard it would be on the receiver (integra 8.9)?

Does it matter how far the speakers are from the wall? I was planing on only keeping them 2 or 3 inches away from the wall. I just read something that said they should be moved away from the wall?

 

[kiwanoron]

I meant bridging the front speakers with the Integra 8.9 not bi-amping them, since I am only running a 5.1 system...In the Integra manual it says only bridge speakers with 8 ohms or higher. What are the paradigms rated at? On the paradigm website it says compatible with 8 ohms?

 

[fredk]

Thanks Jamie. I thought maybe you had listened to both. I went through something similar when I bought my system, but I was lucky enough to be able to compare the two models I looked at side by side.

kiwanoron. I am willing to bet that there are differences between the two models, but that they are subtle. That is what I noticed in my case.

 

[kiwanoron]

Setup advice???

Any suggestions on Integra 8.9 setup?

I have an Integra 8.9 receiver. Paradigm Studio 60's v.5(thank you all for your suggestions) and a cc-590 v.4(planing on buying a cc-690 v.5 in the next two months). I have two Monster THX SL200-SW Subs, I paid $600 for both of them with a 5 year warranty, I know they are not the best but could not pass on the deal. I have to wait two weeks for the rear ADP speakers. I am planing on running a 5.1 system.

Here is where I could use some help:

-The integra has an option for bridging the front channel - is this a good idea?
-I also read about bi-amping the front speakers? - Not sure what is the best way to go since this is my first home system what is not a HT in a box!

- For the Subs I ran the Sub preout to one sub then out of that sub into the other(as it said in the directions)

In the Integra setup for the speaker configuration what should I set the settings at for the
-Front Speakers(paradigm Studio 60's V.5)
-Center(Paradigm cc-590 v.4)
-Sub -LPF of LFE (2 Monster THX SL200-SW Subs)
-Rears (Paradigm ADP not sure what one, most likly studio)

If you have any other suggestions Please let me know.

THANKS ~ RON

 

[kiwanoron]

For Integra setup for the speaker configuration what should I set the crossover settings at for the speakers, all 80 Hz? Do I set this first or run the Audyssey first, will it set the crossover points for me? I have never done this so not sure where to begin?

-Front Speakers(paradigm Studio 60's V.5) Crossover?
-Center(Paradigm cc-590 v.4) Crossover?
-Sub -LPF of LFE (2 Monster THX SL200-SW Subs) Crossover?
-Rears (Paradigm ADP not sure what one, most likely studio) Crossover?

 

[AVRat]

Don't bother with bridging/bi-amping. 80 Hz all around. LFE input on the subs.

 

[Harrison476]

I meant bridging the front speakers with the Integra 8.9 not bi-amping them, since I am only running a 5.1 system...In the Integra manual it says only bridge speakers with 8 ohms or higher. What are the paradigms rated at? On the paradigm website it says compatible with 8 ohms?

I have the onkyo 875. I have tried both bi-amping and bridging the fronts – surround backs. In my opinion neither is worth it. The bridging option really limits your receiver’s options. This is especially true if you want to listen to HT movies. I would do this only if I wanted to listen to 2.1 channel music (still you lose some of the receiver’s options). I could not hear any sound benefits from the bi-amp option. I did use it once to run two sets of fronts. Bi-amping does leave you with 5.1 channel (no 7.1) but I believe you still lose some of the available listening modes.

At the end of the day I could not hear any improvement in sound from either option.

 

[fredk]

Since the receiver has only one power supply, that is the limiting factor. You gain nothing by either method.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

100's all the way. They like power so plan on an outboard amp in the future unless your room is small or you listen softly.