My first real TV / Stereo / HT setup

[Panhandler801]

First time post. Have read some interestint stuff on here though. Thanks.

Finally finished building my first place. Two story. Downstairs all one room. 24 x 34 ft. About 1/2 the lenght of one side of downstairs is bathroom, and laundry room. then abou 1/3 open stair case, and then the remainder is open. This width of the two rooms along 1/2 of the rooms' length is about 8ft. The open stair case with return 2 steps from upstairs is 3/10. Insulation in all walls, and in stairs (between stair frame and wood ceiling in laundry room).

Big room leads into kitchen with numerous hand painted wood cabinets and an island with 5' x 5' wood butcher block top.

Plan to have a sofa, love seat, and one add'l chair downstairs. Will also have several rugs.

All floors are finshed on site white oak. Bouncy. This has me somewhat nervous.

Hopefully the big open stairwell will allow the roome to breath if I crank things up loud.

Items with * next to them means they've already been ordered / picked up. Remaning items are about to be ordered.


Yamaha RX-V663*
Panasonic TH-42PZ700U*
Yamaha NS-AW350W outdoor speakers*
Paradigm Monitor 9s
Paradigm CC390
Paradigm AMS100R (for rears)
Paradigm Ultracube 10
Sonance Volume control (away from receiver) for porch speakers.

Thoughts? Not sure about CC390 vs CC290, and not sure about the Sub. It doesn't appear that most folks are too big on the Paradigm subs. I like the idea of a powerful punch, without all the boom. Want it more for music than movies. Not going for the automotive sound.

What do you all think about this?

Thanks

PH80

 

[jcPanny]

New HT System

Nice list of gear for the new system.

You might not be happy with the Paradigm sub in a large room. Check out the options from SVS, HSU, and AV123 in your budget and size requirments.

It looks like your have a decent amount to spend on speakers. Try to audition a few other options at the local dealer. Some ID also offering high value systems with floorstanders are RBH/EMP, AV123(X-series, ELT, and Rockets), Aperion, and Axiom. If you are interested in one of these options you might be able to find a nearby owner for a demo.

Also, FYI,
I used Pheonix Gold VCs for my whole house system and they worked great and only cost about $25 each.

 

[jamie2112]

Let's see pics...

 

[Panhandler801]

PIcs

here are a few pics of how I invision things shaking out. Can't upload photos from any sites at work. just now got home

here is the floor plan

excuse the nakedness of the decor. the hand rail was also recently capped with some oak. all interior trim done by yours truly.

hopefully these pics will post now. had to make 5 replies to make it happen.

I appreciate the responses. I sent SVS an email today about the sub. Awaiting their response.

Deal is, I'm in a relatively small market and I don't have the opportunity to demo much of anything.

Thanks for the help, folks.

 

[jcPanny]

Nice trim.

Nice trim work. I also do some ameture woodworking.
Since you can appreciate good wood, check out the real wood veneer on the speakers from AV123. The X-series floorstanders and new ELTs (foorstander and center comming soon) should be in your budget. The Aperion speakers also come in cherry or piano black

Many of the ID companies have liberal return policies so you can demo them at home. Aperion is risk free (They refund your money and pay for return shipping) on all their speakers and AV123 is risk free on their bookshelf speakers.

Is that a work bench or a giant butcher block in your pictures?

 

[jamie2112]

That looks great you have plenty of space to make your dreams happen....go get um.....

 

[Panhandler801]

Nice trim work. I also do some ameture woodworking.
Since you can appreciate good wood, check out the real wood veneer on the speakers from AV123. The X-series floorstanders and new ELTs (foorstander and center comming soon) should be in your budget. The Aperion speakers also come in cherry or piano black

Many of the ID companies have liberal return policies so you can demo them at home. Aperion is risk free (They refund your money and pay for return shipping) on all their speakers and AV123 is risk free on their bookshelf speakers.

Is that a work bench or a giant butcher block in your pictures?

Problem is, I only have one ID (I'm guessing that's independent company) company here in town. So there really isn't any demo-ing to be done without a substantial drive.

Those AVSs are pretty, you're right about that. They seem really really nice. Some of the ones that look the most similar to the Paradigms are actually less expesnive, too. I tell you what, though... I kind of hate to leave my guy here hanging. Many phone calls, emails, and visits. I just now got him to hammer out is best possible price. I like what he's got, and I have heard it. I just don't know about throwing all of that out the window and buying something else at the same price (or a bit cheaper) without having heard it.


Do you think I will be happy with the Paradigm. Their monitor series is still fairly decent stuff isn't it? I'm just about tired of dealing with it.

I need to either go buy something now, or just hold off entirely.

House question... That is a 5ft x 5ft rock maple butcher block. Its edge grain rock maple. Really wanted to go end grain, but the price trippled. Thought about laying it up and clamping a row each night, but I ran out of gas. Can't wait to cook / entertain with it.

 

[calnbs]

The Paradigms are a great set of speakers. Here is a review from HT Mag.

http://hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/108parav5/

I have read from many personal reviews that the Paradigm's sound are comparable to AV123's and Axioms. But all of these are just opinions. So take it for what it's worth.

If you want to keep your options open to other speaksers, here are some of the links you might want to read.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=995082

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069


Comparison on Paradigms vs AV123

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850&page=25

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069&highlight=rocket+850&page=28

A lot of reading but very interesting. If you already heard and like the Paradigm, than there is nothing wrong with getting them. Paradigms very well respected in the speaker world.

 

[Panhandler801]

Sub...

I'm thinking about going with either...

SVS PB-12 plus,

or the 20-39 PC-12 Plus

I'm also intrigued by the PB12-Plus/2, which is currently on clearance in black at $1,099.

Might be best for my big room (about 7,000 ft^3)... the thing is HUGE, though... Size: 19" Wide, 26.5" High and 28" Deep

Seems like this is more of a HT application than a music. Am I right in assuming this? Like I said, I'm 50/50 on music / HT. Maybe even more a bit eavier on the music side than that.

SIDE NOTE: I wrote SVS about a 1,000 word email with about 10 different questions / points. They responded the same day with almost as much text as I had writted and they addressed each and every question / statement. I was impressed.