paradigm studio 60's...is millenia 20 good cc match?

[dan001]

I currently own paradigm studio 60's...and recently purchased the millenia 20 as a cc..on the advice of the dealer...granted..the cc is new..maybe 2 hours of break in..but...i am not impressed at all with the cc so far...is this a good match for the studio 60's?

 

[mazersteven]

Not a good match. These are the matching center channels

http://www.paradigm.com/en/reference/centers-studio-series-2-3-13.paradigm

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Steven is correct here. You have to go with a 590 or 690. The millenia is not even close to the same ballpark.

 

[Thaedium]

As Mazer and Greg pointed out, thats a horrible match. The millenia series is in a much different category from the Studio's, and as such will not perform to the same standards.

I'm really disappointed in your dealer really, it just goes to show he was more interested in making the sale then making a happy customer.

If you still can, take it back and be done with it. If you can afford the CC-690 I would recommend it, the 590 is also great. If you can't afford it right now, save for it. A poor CC is worse then no CC at all, and can really affect your movie/tv experience.

 

[mazersteven]

I'm really disappointed in your dealer really, it just goes to show he was more interested in making the sale then making a happy customer.

If you still can, take it back and be done with it. If you can afford the CC-690 I would recommend it, the 590 is also great. If you can't afford it right now, save for it. A poor CC is worse then no CC at all, and can really affect your movie/tv experience.

I have to agree with Thaedium on both statements.

The sales dude is a meatball. Only wish I was the one he was trying to sell to.

 

[BabelFish]

+1 as everyone else.. not a good match.. 590 or 690...

 

[dan001]

thanx for the thoughts guys..i am aware of 590 and 690 solution.....problem is..space..these are too big for where i need them..thats the rub....u think like the cc190's??.....the millenia fit the space like the proverbial glove...i lowered the output level on them last night..sounded waaaaay better..tho i am certainly not downplaying your thoughts...am i still losing out here?..also..the dealer is a good guy..he is the store owner and i have dealt with him many times..and of course..he knew of the space confines..i can return and exchange no problem..soo..smaller cc190's..or...290's?

 

[Highbar]

I know it's not going to be as small as the Millenia but maybe a Studio 20? It's the same series so it should match the 60's well and it smaller then both 590 and 690.

 

[mazersteven]

I know it's not going to be as small as the Millenia but maybe a Studio 20? It's the same series so it should match the 60's well and it smaller then both 590 and 690.

Excellent recommendation. If placement isn't an issue then a Studio 20 would be an excellent alternative to the 590, or 690.

 

[Thaedium]

The space issue is a good point, and I had not even thought of it until you brought it up. I too had the same problem, the simple fact is the CC-690 is monsterous. It looks like a Studio 60 turned on its side.

At first I didn't plug it in, but finally I figured I'd set the tv on top of it with a thin textured mat to seperate the two. Best solution I could come up with without buying a plasma/lcd TV to mount on the wall.

I don't know your circumstances however, but I would agree with Highbar and Mazer on this for sure, go with a single Studio 20 if you can, it will match performance-wise the Studio 60's, and it is smalled then CC-590/690 option. Its just a little more akward to place I think thats all.

I doubt the CC-190/290/390 will match well with the Studio's either. Different components and build quality all around.

What type of system are you running currently? Are you more interested in the HT setup then Stereo? What are the limitations you have in this room thats creating problems?

If you still don't have surrounds right now, and have no intention of buying them then I would forgo the centre channel completely, especially if you have room constraints.

If however you are planning on running a full 5.1, or 7.1 setup, and its just the room cramping your style then I'd look for ways to make the space. Sacrificing a matching centre channel in a surround sound HT setup based on room constraints is what I see as the least desirable situation. A poorly matched centre will have you going batty because you will always be picking up audible artifacts that don't belong or match.

 

[jcPanny]

Paradigm in-walls

Paradigm has some high end in-wall speakers that are matched to the studio line. Might be a good option for your center channel. Running the studio 60's with a phantom center would probably perform better than a low end center channel.

 

[dan001]

more useful info guys thanx...curently i have the studio 60's with a pdr 8 sub with a yamaha rxv3800 and some smallish harmon kardon backs..i am more into stereo actually..but..i must confess..since getting the 3800..listening to music in surround mode is great..volume fairly low...just puttering around in house..so..hence the need for a better center channel..i had a pioneer center b4 now..and again...since i was using surround for movies..all worked fairly well....also just purchased pioneer plasma..and..ps3...for my son of course..lol....so..thought it would be good to update some of my stuff as sound is great with ps3 and vision on plasma is great..but..my living room is kinda small and stylish...so..the dilemna remains...went and sampled the 590 today..man..very nice...but damn big!!..i took home the cc190 for now..returned the mill 20..and right out of the box..the 190 meshed waaaay better than the mill 20...but..i will see how she goes for a few days..phantom is a good point..i talked to the guy about the studio 20..he said he didnt think that was a good idea...i have the tv mounted on a stand already..hence the space dilmna..it need to go under the tv..but man they are big..but man that 590 sounded sweet...but hey..lol..this 190 is sounding good too..damn..choices..choices

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I was in the same boat and we looked high and low for a credenza that would hold the 590. We finally found it at Rack&Stands, the center section is 33 widex15 high and worked out perfectly for me.

Edit. The studio 20 uses the same driver so it would make a good center. Tell your dealer he was wrong.

 

[TC-san]

Same thing

I called the Paradigm factory recently trying to get ready for a purchase of a new system and had similar questions. The guy at the factory said he really discourages this setup. Millenias go with Millenias, period.

My issue is similar to yours where the form will fit well for the new flat panel, but will sound poorly when matched with other Reference or Studio speakers. I just noticed that Paradim is going to release a W5, a wall mounted Signature series CC for $3000. Steep.

I love my current Paradigms, but want an upgrade. I don't think the Studios will cut it for me, based on the cc size. The only option is the S2 / C1, but gawd, it's close to $10,000 for the correct setup......

 

[Thaedium]

I was in the same boat and we looked high and low for a credenza that would hold the 590. We finally found it at Rack&Stands, the center section is 33 widex15 high and worked out perfectly for me.

Edit. The studio 20 uses the same driver so it would make a good center. Tell your dealer he was wrong.

Yah I agree with you Greg, but I think his dealer was saying it would not be a good idea based on the fact that a Studio 20 is a bookshelf speaker, making it very awkward to place especially when you have the TV on the stand already. At least with the CC-190 through to 690 they are designed to be on their sides, allowing for easier intergration into the HT. Unless you are using a projector, or a wall mounted TV then using a bookshelf for the centre just is not as feasible I don't think.

 

[dan001]

well..ran the 190 through some stuff last night, some music, Gladiator...definately better than the mill20..hands down..and fits and sounds nice..but..what keeps ringing in my ear..the sound of that 590 they had playing at the stereo store...man...they had the 5th element playing...incredible...i may move my tv up a few notches on the stand to make room for a 590..thogh..thjat may lift the tv a bit too much...dont know.....tell me you 590 owners....is it a huge improvement over the 190 in terms of clarity and sound??..and worth an xtra 700 bux!?

 

[mazersteven]

but..what keeps ringing in my ear..the sound of that 590 they had playing at the stereo store...man...they had the 5th element playing...incredible...i may move my tv up a few notches on the stand to make room for a 590..

Now your talking like a true Audioholic.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is a very good speaker and it belongs with the system you have. Do not let space limitations dictate the correct center. Mine is in a 8,000 cubic foot open room and is as clear and powerful as anything I have heard. I am running mine off of a dedicated 200w amp.

well..ran the 190 through some stuff last night, some music, Gladiator...definately better than the mill20..hands down..and fits and sounds nice..but..what keeps ringing in my ear..the sound of that 590 they had playing at the stereo store...man...they had the 5th element playing...incredible...i may move my tv up a few notches on the stand to make room for a 590..thogh..thjat may lift the tv a bit too much...dont know.....tell me you 590 owners....is it a huge improvement over the 190 in terms of clarity and sound??..and worth an xtra 700 bux!?

 

[dan001]

lol Mazer...thanx guys...i really appct all your input..dealer has 590 for 999.00 Canadian..good price?

 

[Thaedium]

Well not horrible. See if you can get him to tweak the price for you, after all you've been through quite the ordeal to finally settle on a centre channel that works for you. 20% doesn't sound unreasonable