Paradigm 110 CT

[audio_neophyte]

Any opinions on this speaker system? I'll probably be using it with the Denon 3805. The room is a decent size though (750 sq. feet with vaulted ceilings).

I've also been looking at the RBH CT-Max. I'm a little afraid of the price on the Paradigm...not that I'm against a good deal. I'd like to stay below $2K for a 5.1 surround system. The paradigm system is less than $1K.

Any thoughts on the Paradigm OW Mini Monitor and/or OW Monitor 5 system as well?

I need on-wall speakers preferably in white but silver/grey will do as well. I can't use in-wall for the L/R speakers. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[quadlog]

I've listened to the Cinema 110CT series and they are very nice BUT I think you have too much receiver for those speakers. You'll blow them in no time with the 3805.

 

[zumbo]

I've listened to the Cinema 110CT series and they are very nice BUT I think you have too much receiver for those speakers. You'll blow them in no time with the 3805.

That is total BS.

 

[quadlog]

BS....how so?

The 3805 is rated at 120 watts per channel. The 110 CT speakers are rated 70 watts maximum for the fronts/centre, while the surrounds are 50 watts.

You do the math.

You can keep the volume down I suppose but someone not familiar with the system could ruin the speakers.

 

[furrycute]

You rarely blow a speaker by giving it too much power. What you need is good, distortion free, high current power, to keep the drivers from being damaged.

Most of the time the amp is really using less than 1 watt of power driving speakers at reasonable volumes. The power reserve is there for amplifying those bass transients. You rarely feed 120 watts of continous power into speakers.

As long as you keep the volumes at reasonable levels, you are fine.

 

[quadlog]

The key is reasonable levels. Heh....when I was a kid I know I'd crank it up to unreasonable levels and promptly be in some kind of trouble.

I dunno....it seems like putting a $2.00 saddle on a $1000.00 horse but it's not my money.

 

[toca]

audio_neophyte,
Compare the specs on these:
http://www.definitivetech.com/specs/specs.html#procinema2

http://www.paradigm.com/Website/SiteParadigmProduct/ParadigmModels/SystemChoice/Cinema110CT.html

I listened to the Definitive Tech ProMonitor 100's and was extremely impressed. They can be wall mounted and are very compact.

 

[audio_neophyte]

B&W VM1's

Thanks for the suggestions. I listened to the B&W VM1's today and thought they sounded great. The store carried Paradigm but didn't have any Cinema speakers in the store to listen to. Do you know how the B&W VM1 ranks relative to the others that you mentioned?

 

[Andru]

The key is reasonable levels. Heh....when I was a kid I know I'd crank it up to unreasonable levels and promptly be in some kind of trouble.

I dunno....it seems like putting a $2.00 saddle on a $1000.00 horse but it's not my money.

It's not if you're going to extend on any end do it on the amplifer side. Voice coils burn because of dirty distorted power not too much power.

A good amp can make a bad set of speakers sound the best they can. A great set of speakers will sound crap with poor power.

Clean Power is everything.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

I would demo the paridigm monitor series. The bookshelf and on-wall versions should perform much better than the small HTIB type speakers in the cinema series.

I would also cosider the Axiom Audio on-wall speakers in your budget. Some people find the bookshelf Axioms to be comparable to Paradigm Studio series.

Check out the subs from SVS and HSU for the best "boom" for the buck.

 

[j_garcia]

I listened to the Definitive Tech ProMonitor 100's and was extremely impressed. They can be wall mounted and are very compact.

I've listened to and installed the Pro Monitors and I don't like them. I really don't think they are a worthwhile option. Their mounting system isn't too bad though. You can hear the plastic cabinets, and that doesn't work for me. The Monitor OWs or the Axioms would be good choices.

It is almost impossible to feed speakers too much power, because as long as the signal is clean, most will perform fine right up to their limit. The reality is, most small speakers aren't using a much power at all when you are listening at average levels, it is dynamic peaks where the demand comes into play.

 

[brendy]

The Paradigm Cinema 110CT are very good speakers but I think to small for your room.Given the size and that you have vaulted ceilings I would look at something bigger.The recommend amp range for them is 15-100 watts according to Paradigm.

 

[AVRat]

You might consider a Def Tech Mythos setup ($1400) with
Mythos Six for L/R:
http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/mythos/mythos_table.html
Mythos Seven for Center:
http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/mythos/mythos_center.html
Mythos Gems for Surrounds:
http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/mythos/mythos_gem.html

Then spend $600+ on a sub from SVS or HSU as a minimum.