Paradigm vs Bose Acoustimass 16

[Buckeyefan 1]

Excellent choice.

 

[Hammer]

Buckeye, It does make sense to start at the receiver. I was thinking if I do the YPAO setup, I might as well upgrade speakers at sametime and only do it once. But then I'd have 2 variables and not clearly know which was the poor performer (speakers or receiver) even though its probably the latter.
Although both Denon & Yammie get raves on this site, I'd have to say it looks like a lean toward Yammie (Zumbo must be smiling ). Now I just need to wait till Fall and hope that the XM feature is included in the 2500. I'll be angry if I buy it now only to have the XM version come out in 5 months and I don't want to go the Polk dedicated XM unit as I've read mixed reviews.
Probably start looking into Paradigm Monitor 7 pricing in case I get real impulsive.

 

[Nick250]

Buckeye, It does make sense to start at the receiver. I was thinking if I do the YPAO setup, I might as well upgrade speakers at sametime and only do it once. But then I'd have 2 variables and not clearly know which was the poor performer (speakers or receiver) even though its probably the latter.
Although both Denon & Yammie get raves on this site, I'd have to say it looks like a lean toward Yammie (Zumbo must be smiling ). Now I just need to wait till Fall and hope that the XM feature is included in the 2500. I'll be angry if I buy it now only to have the XM version come out in 5 months and I don't want to go the Polk dedicated XM unit as I've read mixed reviews.
Probably start looking into Paradigm Monitor 7 pricing in case I get real impulsive.

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with Buckeye on the receiver/speaker issue. It is my view that as along as you are not clipping that 90% of what you hear is speakers and room acoustics. Everything else makes up the other 10%. Buy the speakers you that sound best to you now and when you get upgradeitis down the road you can consider a newer receiver. I do agree with the general sentiment here about keeping your mini monitors as surround and getting the best quality fronts with your $1200. I personally have three studio 20s accross the front and mini monitors in the back. I have had them for 4 years and have no desire to upgrade, I love the sound. My room is small however so the Monitor 7s would probably be necessary to fill your larger listening area.

IMHO, YMMV yadda, yadda.

 

[Azz123]

Hey Hammer...

I can almost say to you welcome to the world of being a happy Yami owner!!

I started reading the posts in this thread though stopped after 6 or 7 posts...

Something to consider - the BOSE setup all runs from its own receiver and sub/connector box. You wouldn’t be able to control the Bose speakers directly or run YPAO from the Yami as it doesn’t/won’t have direct control.

As I understand it, it would be a waste to run the Yami at all as all inputs to a Bose speaker system have to go via the Bose receiver.

Perhaps I just haven’t seen the accoustimass systems you speak of though I was playing with a mates x16 system and that’s how the setup was.

I may stand corrected...

Do you have an intimate desire to stay with satellites? I’ve recently invested in some decent budget floorstanders and the Yamaha RX-V1500 and couldn’t be happier!
We get hit pretty hard with conversion rates here in Australia but I grabbed these AAD's for $550 AUD. and am bloody happy with my investment!!
AAD C600i Speakers

Its important to feel bass rattle your trousers on the hairs of your legs and also that your neighbours have an intimate knowledge of your music tastes without setting foot in your house or you ever striking up conversation with them! <grins>

Aaron

 

[pearsall001]

Check out the Energy Encore system. It gets rave reviews & I can tell you from personal experience that it sounds fantastic. Being a Home Theater nut I am always upgrading & looking for the ultimate experience within my modest budget along w/ WAF. By the way the Encore systems look & size really scored huge on my WAF. This year with my tax refund I upgraded to the Energy Connoisseur C7's for the mains & C-C3 center along w/ a SVS 25-31+ sub. I really had to be good to get my WAF on this one. I really liKe the Energy line. You get a big bang for your buck. With my new upgrade, I am selling the Encore system. It includes: 4 Encore satellites ( four stands included - $250 value) Encore center, Encore 8 sub, two micro mount wall mounts. Packed in it's original box w/ manuals. Selling price $850. a great deal. Purchased new in Jan. 04. If interested E-mail me at: pearsall001@comcast.net

 

[zumbo]

Hey Hammer, who wrote Sony on that Bose receiver of yours?

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would have to agree with those in the 'get speakers first' camp. I am a huge Yamaha fan, but when I upgraded my Kenwood HTIB system a couple of years ago I ordered both the Yamaha Z1 and the Definitive Technology BP30 (no built in subs) speakers at the same time.

The Z1 was on back order, so I received the speakers a month before the receiver, and decided to hear the difference.

WOW!

These 50 inch tall speakers completely changed the audio output and quality of my old cheapie Kenwood speakers. It was really hard to believe how much of an improvement was made without changing the power of the receiver. It was like the cheap Kenwood receiver had no problem at all sending more audio than I could even stand to the BP-30s. Truly a mind blowing experience, especially as you are feeling the same as I was - underwhelmed by what you already have.

Speakers first - and going with nice floor standing speakers of decent quality will go a long way. No more speakers that aren't at least 10" tall.

The 2500 is a great follow up to provide added connectivity, more power, and better overall sound. But, for general listening, it is the speakers that will blow you away. Especially since you have already said that you are waiting for the new Yamaha receiver with XM.

Don't short change yourself while you wait if you can afford to upgrade the speakers now, do it.

 

[cownd]

I'll second, possibly third the idea of getting Monitor 7's or Studio 20's as your fronts.. You will not be disapointed.

 

[flyv65]

Speakers first - and going with nice floor standing speakers of decent quality will go a long way. No more speakers that aren't at least 10" tall.

Sage advice here. No component change will affect the sound of your system the way upgrading speakers will...and if you use your system for mostly movie viewing I would buy a matched centerchannel at the same time as the floorstanders-there will be a notable difference in the soundstage if you don't (although it might not be offensive to you: just depends on the speakers).

Also, if you get the speakers now and wait awhile for the deck you'll know if it has XM (I'm hooked on it now, too)...or at least the price on the older models may drop.

Bryan...apologies for my typing: I broke my clavicle last week and my off-hand isn't getting with the program...

 

[Mega2000]

it is funny, a lot of times when someone gives a budget all the recommendations are usually at least 50% more than the budget, but in reality your budgets goes up 50% after you start shopping because you always think... $50 more here isnt that much... $75 more here isnt that much...etc

anyway... another cheaper option is to go with Yamaha NS-777 fronts with the matching NS-444 center and then the NS-333 bookshelves as surrounds. All very good budget speakers and it leaves you with enough cash

Fronts $400/pr
Center $100
Surrounds $150/pr
Total $650

this leaves $550 for a sub

I am not a knower of all about subs but for a budget sub the one that I got, JBL E250 (got on eBay for under $200) fills my room pretty good. It isn't the greatest for music but it seems very capable for movies.

 

[claudermilk]

it is funny, a lot of times when someone gives a budget all the recommendations are usually at least 50% more than the budget, but in reality your budgets goes up 50% after you start shopping because you always think... $50 more here isnt that much... $75 more here isnt that much...etc

LOL! Mine started at $200 for fronts & went to enough to buy Studio 20's. I think we all start out setting a budget before really knowing what's out there & what it costs.

I don't even want to think about where my initial budget was vs. what I'll end up spending once I'm "done."

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Hammer, I have Paradigm all the way around except for the sub. I now have two Velodynes and my PDR 10 is not being used. I had mini's up front with the cc370 center and atoms in the rear. When I had that setup with a Marantz pre/pro and an Adcom 60x5, volume level was not an issue. There is nothing wrong with your speakers. Those mini monitors have some of the best sounding tweeters in any speaker. I now have monitor 7's up front with the mini's in the rear and a Denon 2803, and decibel level is not an issue. The problem you have is your room, your sony receiver and the sub. I would treat your room, get a better receiver and calibrate your sub. I got that sub flat to 27 in my room the only thing it lacks is the shear air movement, but it is a very musical sub once calibrated. You can find my calibration of that very sub here in the setup section. The monitor series from paradigm are excellent speakers. Bose has NEVER made anything that compares in quality. Again in this order, treat your room, get a better receiver and calibrate your sub with the rest of the system. Your money will then be better spent. While Paradigm pisses me off with their snobbish attitude, they still make a good speaker.