New Paradigm Setup Options?

[dcruise]

I will soon be buying a set of Monitor 7's, and a CC270 or maybe CC370 center. For now, I am going to skimp a little on the rears, what do you think would be better, a pair of Cinema ADP's or Atoms for the rears. The costs are roughly the same for either pair, but I am unsure what would be the better option.The way my tv is setup, the rears have to be mounted on a wall that is directly beside both sides of my couch. Setup is almost only for movies. Also, do you think the CC370 center over the CC270 is a worthwhile upgrade for the money?

 

[Takeereasy]

Since you are mounting the speakers on the wall I'd really suggest the ADPs. The atoms are rear ported and that is not ideal for wall mounting. I really don't like the stats on those ADPs though. They only go down to 150hz making integrating them with a sub most likely difficult. What I would suggest you do is either not get any rears at all for the moment or go with a different brand. Matching the rears is not as crucial as matching the fronts and center. Get some nice front ported speakers or get some decent dipoles on the cheap to tide you over till you're ready to drop the extra bucks. Maybe these guys will match the bill. Rear speakers generally do not get much action and if you are mainly a movie guy then there won't be any harm matching the horns in the Bics to the domes in the Paradigms. I think the 370 is a very worthwhile upgrade by the way.

 

[AVRat]

The Atoms should provide a fuller sound. The choice between the 270 vs. 370 may be subjective. The 370 should match up better with the 7s giving a coherent front stage. Although the 270 may only provide a slight difference that may be inaudible. If possible, do an A/B test and let your ears decide.

 

[dloweman]

The upgrade to the 370 is pretty much a must, Im my opinion, then you get the same tweeter and drivers as the mon7s, I have that exact system and the 370 is amazing, definately worth the extra $$$. As for the rears, right now i am using the titans and they do the job, hoping to save up for the adp370s sometime soon, but i don't think mounting a rear ported speaker is a very good idea, like others have said, so maybe wait or try the cinema adps and see what they are like.

 

[j_garcia]

There is only one center for the Monitor series and that is the 370. I've owned both, get the 370.

I don't like any of the ADPs really, I prefer monopole surrounds. I've used Titans and Minis as surrounds and they both work great for that. You can wall mount Titans or Atoms, but if you do, you'll want to get Paradigm's port plugs or just stuff the ports with a sock or some foam.

 

[dcruise]

I was told that Atoms wouldn't sound that great because they would be firing directly at my head, and the ADP's would disperse the sound better. I don't know. Also, anyone have any experience with Paradigm Phantoms instead of Monitor 7's? I think the difference is only $200. I'm in Canada, so I think the Paradigm line is quite cheap here.

 

[lubmar]

I got my Monitor 7 for $650 CAD + 15% TAX & I love them !

 

[j_garcia]

I was told that Atoms wouldn't sound that great because they would be firing directly at my head, and the ADP's would disperse the sound better.

So don't point them at your head... Surrounds are never supposed to be directed at the listener. Proper positioning and calibration can give you the desired effect. I've only ever used monopole surrounds, including Atoms, Titans, Minis and 5s.

 

[lubmar]

So don't point them at your head... Surrounds are never supposed to be directed at the listener. Proper positioning and calibration can give you the desired effect. I've only ever used monopole surrounds, including Atoms, Titans, Minis and 5s.

So how do You position them ?

 

[j_garcia]

If you are sitting against the wall (up there with the least desirable seating possibilities in terms of audio), place them to either side and point them towards the center (greater than 45 degrees from your listening position) or front of the room or pull them out a bit and point them back at the wall. These will all have different effects depending on your room and how far away they are. It takes some experimenting, but it shouldn't be too hard to find something that works. I've even seen people put them on a small stand facing up, to either side of the listening position.

 

[dcruise]

An update,

I bought Paradigm Monitor 7's, the CC370, and Cinema 70's as temporary rear surrounds. Amazing sound. The 7's shake the house with the no sub, and I think the 370 was worth the extra money over the 270. Very happy with the buy. Paid $1200 CDN and big wire for bi wiring was included.

 

[Takeereasy]

Congrats. Sounds like an awesome setup. Glad to hear that you like them.

 

[lubmar]

Yes, the Monitor 7 are great. I had a cheap "sub"woofer 8" Athena PS300 for a week, but it could not keep up with Monitor 7, so I returned.
How did you cross over the cinemas ? What receiver do You use ?

 

[dcruise]

I am kind of new to this, so I don't understand what you mean by "crossing over the cinemas"? I still have to go through the manual for my reciever and play with all the settings. Any advice on what are the main settings that should be adjusted on the reciever?

My reciever is a Sony strde685 and my sub is a Sony SAWM40. I know, my reciever and sub need work, but I used to have a serious Sony fetish. Overall, I am impressed with the Sony sub, but I am guessing it would be blown away by a decent sub.