Paradigm studio 20 as main speakers

[dachshund1]

The family is finally ready to part with some very (very) old Magnaplaner speakers, which have served as the main speakers for 5.1 surround system. We have a pair of Paradigm Studio 20s from the smaller stereo system upstairs, so we're giving them a try.

These speakers are wonderful, and music sounds great. Sounds much better and clearer than through the Maggies. SACD material sounds fabulous.

My test with Jurassic Park III sounds like it's distorting a bit during the loud dinosaur screams. Does this mean I should go to a larger set of speakers? Is it the receiver (Denon avr-3300... old but still pretty kicking)... or is this tough material on any system?

 

[WorkerBee]

I'm going to pass on this one ... I mis-read your post .

 

[cam]

Are you running a sub or do you have your mains (studio 20's) set to large. If you set your mains to small, your denon and 20's should be fine even at high volume. Pick a crossover setting at 80hz. If you are not using a sub and your 20's are set at large and you are cranking up jurrasic park III chances are your 20's have reached their limits. There is only so much a 2-way standmount (bookshelf) speaker can handle no matter what the cost. Having said that, even the floorstanders such as the 60's can reach their limits very quickly with material such as jurrasic park. Best advice, no matter what movie you are watching, and what mains you have, always set to small with a crossover setting around 80 hz and use a sub. Remember, setting to small means big sound, as long as you are using a capable sub to complement your 20's.

 

[sjdgpt]

Paradigm Studio 20s... we're giving them a try.

My test with Jurassic Park III sounds like it's distorting a bit during the loud dinosaur screams. Does this mean I should go to a larger set of speakers? Is it the receiver (Denon avr-3300... old but still pretty kicking)... or is this tough material on any system?

What volume level are you trying to achieve with the receiver? A good chance that you are starting to clip the signal, which would be the distortion that you are hearing.

In addition, do you have a speaker size setting on that receiver? Do you have it set on large? If so, you could be providing a bass signal that is greater than the design of the speakers. My understanding of woofers is that a very low Hz signal, one that is below the capabilities of the woofer, will essentially just disappear as the speaker is so ineffecient in trying to replicate the signal. But some woofer cones are prone to various types flex distortion when trying to produce those very low Hz signals.

"larger" speakers may not actually solve the problem. A receiver clipping is a receiver clipping, and larger speakers is not an automatic solution as it is the effeciency of the speakers, and the volume trying to be obtained that will determine whether the speaker will clip.

If it is a problem with woofer distortion, a sub woofer would easily solve the distortion problem. A cross over setting of 60 or 80 Hz will remove the very low signal from the main speakers, thus eliminating any possible cone distortion. In addition, a sub with a built in amp will let your receiver work easier driving the speakers to high volumes.


This all said, the distortion that you hear, is it possible that it is source material that you are hearing? Remember, even the film studio is not perfect.

 

[dachshund1]

Volume is around -20dB, which is fairly loud in my living room

I have the receiver set to small size speakers. I have the dial on the subwoofer set to 80Hz, which I believe was the only frequency mentioned in the manual for the receiver.

Thanks for the info. It's definitely a different sound after listening to those 4 ft panel speakers for so long. They are very "laid back" compared to the Paradigms. Or just worn out.

 

[sjdgpt]

There could be a problem developing with one of the drivers, cones etc in the Paradigms... something as simple as the mounting point for the cone being loose. It would be interesting to see if you could replicate the distortion at that or a louder volume with another source material.