Paradigm vs. Definitive Technologies vs. Polk

[Sparky21]

Having trouble deciding between

- Paradigm (L/R Monitor 7, Centre CC-290, ADP-190)
- Definitive Technologies (L/R BP7006, Centre CLR2300, BP1.2x)
- Polk (L/R RTI10, Centre CSIA6, RTIA3)

These will go with a Yamahaa PV-X3800 (most likely) receiver in a 11x20x9 room. Sub will be a Velodyne DSL-5000R.

Any suggestions? I've also heard a little about the PSB speakers but not a lot of details.

Thanks

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You have to audition all the speakers for yourself and see what you like, they are all good speakers.

 

[mazersteven]

IMO I don't think the Paradigm Monitor series can hang in sound quality as the other two.

Between the Def Tech 7006 or the Polk RTi10's.

I vote for the Polk's over the Def Techs.

 

[GlocksRock]

I would go with the def techs, their high sensitivity would pair well with the RX-V3800. I have a def tech setup and a Yamaha RX-V1800 and it sounds awesome, but it's up to you, you have to see what sounds best to your ears.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I am extremely happy with my Def Techs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Having trouble deciding between

- Paradigm (L/R Monitor 7, Centre CC-290, ADP-190)
- Definitive Technologies (L/R BP7006, Centre CLR2300, BP1.2x)
- Polk (L/R RTI10, Centre CSIA6, RTIA3)

These will go with a Yamahaa PV-X3800 (most likely) receiver in a 11x20x9 room. Sub will be a Velodyne DSL-5000R.

Any suggestions? I've also heard a little about the PSB speakers but not a lot of details.

Thanks

Like Greg says, you have to actually listen to those speakers in your own room to decide which is best. If you want to compare the specs, here they are:

Def Tech BP7006: 29Hz-20kHz +/-3dB
Polk Audio RTi10: 35Hz-26kHz +/-3dB
Paradigm Monitor 7: 54Hz-20kHz +/-2dB.

I believe all three will sound very good. However, the Def Tech BP7006 (with a 300-watts Built-in 8" Subwoofer) will have the best Bass Output of the three. I can't speak for the other two speakers, but from experience, I would say the In-Room response of the BP7006s will be 20Hz-20kHz +/-6dB. The BP7006 will ALWAYS be BI-AMPED! Your Yamaha will drive the Tweeters and Midrange/Upper Bass Woofers and the BP7006s' Internal 300-watts RMS Amps will drive the Internal Subwoofers. This may be significant if you use a Pure Direct Stereo Mode for Music Listening, which bypasses all other circuits including the LFE/Subwoofer output.

For movies, especially with a great subwoofer, they may all be equal.

Edit:
Or how about the DefTech BP10Bs, which I just ordered from my local DefTech dealer for $700 a pair?

BP10B Spec: 20Hz-20kHz +/-6dB @ 90dB w/m (Julian Hirsch/Stereo Review 1991).

 

[mazersteven]

I believe all three will sound very good. However, the Def Tech BP7006 (with a 300-watts Built-in 8" Subwoofer) will have the best Bass Output of the three. I can't speak for the other two speakers

I would put the Polk RTi's up against the Def Tech's with bass output. I don't care what the specs say. Let your ears tell. My money is behind the PowerPort® Plus.

And I have experience with both.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I would put the Polk RTi's up against the Def Tech's with bass output. I don't care what the specs say. Let your ears tell. My money is behind the PowerPort® Plus.

And I have experience with both.

I have never used (or had any desire for) a sub with my BP10Bs or BP8Bs. They have the deepest, most powerful bass of any passive speakers under 5K that I have ever heard.
(As well as deeper/more powerful bass than any powered sub under $500 that I have heard.)

 

[mazersteven]

(As well as deeper/more powerful bass than any powered sub under $500 that I have heard.)

Even more then the SVS PB10-ISD?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Even more then the SVS PB10-ISD?

I did say "that I have heard", and I haven't heard that one.

 

[mazersteven]

I did say "that I have heard", and I haven't heard that one.

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Thank you for the clarification.

You are welcome. (Put another way, I have heard several subs that outperformed the BP10Bs basswise, but all cost $500 or more.)

 

[Sparky21]

I have never used (or had any desire for) a sub with my BP10Bs or BP8Bs. They have the deepest, most powerful bass of any passive speakers under 5K that I have ever heard.
(As well as deeper/more powerful bass than any powered sub under $500 that I have heard.)

I'm not too worried about base. I just cancelled my order for the Velodyne DLS-5000R as I just picked up the SVS PB-12NSD. If this is the case then do I need the towers as much for base?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would put the Polk RTi's up against the Def Tech's with bass output. I don't care what the specs say. Let your ears tell. My money is behind the PowerPort® Plus.

And I have experience with both.

Yes, but did you crank up the GAIN/VOLUME of the BP7006s' TWO SuperCube III subwoofers?

Of course, a powerful dedicated sub from SVS, HSU, etc., will inarguably produce more bass than the internal subwoofers of the BP7006s or any built-in subwoofers.

But the fact is, if you have a pair of the BP7006s, you have TWO SMALL SuperCube III subwoofers.

I guarantee you that if you crank up both of the internal subwoofers to 70% gain, it will produce A LOT more BASS than any similar speaker WITHOUT a subwoofer.

Sure, the SuperCube III subwoofers may not be in the same league as a powerful SVS Sub, but don't you think that having 2 SuperCube IIIs will produce more bass than NO SUBWOOFERS at all?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm not too worried about base. I just cancelled my order for the Velodyne DLS-5000R as I just picked up the SVS PB-12NSD. If this is the case then do I need the towers as much for base?

Let's put it this way. If you buy a pair of Def Tech BP7006 Plus the SVS Subwoofer, you will have a total of THREE SUBWOOFERS!

That's TWO SuperCube III Subwoofers Plus ONE PB-12 Subwoofer!

If you buy the Paradigm or Polk, you will have ONE SUBWOOFER.

In terms of midrange/upper bass and high frequency, they may all sound very similar.

I guess it all depends on how much money you want to spend and what kind of deal you can get.

For example, I can get the BP7006s for $750/pr.

But if someone were to offer me the choice of the Paradigm, Polk Audio, or BP7006 for FREE, it is a NO BRAINER. I would get the BP7006s and have THREE Subwoofers!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Even more then the SVS PB10-ISD?

Did yo mean PB10-NSD?

No. The PB10-NSD would produce more bass than the BP10B and BP7006.

SVS is just too good.

But if you compare these other so-called subwoofers at Best Buy or Circuit City to the BP7006s' SuperCube IIIs, then the BP7006s would produce more bass as long as you increase the gain control to a good level.

I was at my local HT store a few days ago. Out of curiosity I checked the Gain level they had set for the Def Tech SuperTowers. They were set to 40% gain. Come on! You have to set it to at least 50%.

Out of curiosity, what level (gain/volume) do you guys set your subwoofers?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I'm not too worried about base. I just cancelled my order for the Velodyne DLS-5000R as I just picked up the SVS PB-12NSD. If this is the case then do I need the towers as much for base?

I would still look for speakers that will let you set the crossover as low as possible. (If the speakers have a -3dB of 50Hz or below, you can cross over at 60Hz, which should sound excellent.)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would still look for speakers that will let you set the crossover as low as possible. (If the speakers have a -3dB of 50Hz or below, you can cross over at 60Hz, which should sound excellent.)

Exactly. If you have the BP7006 or BP10B or Polk, you could set the crossover to 40Hz if your receiver allow it. With the Paradigm, it would be 60Hz.

Some people like to set everything to SMALL, though. But I like to set everything to LARGE and FULL RANGE.

So what kind of prices are you getting for these speakers and what is your budget?

 

[mazersteven]

Did yo mean PB10-NSD?

Out of curiosity, what level (gain/volume) do you guys set your subwoofers?

No I meant the PB10-ISD. I wanted it to be somewhat fair to the 7006's.

I keep my sub at 1/4

 

[Seth=L]

To address a couple of things.

AcuDefTechGuy, I understand that you love Definitive Technology, that's great. You need to realise a couple of things however. You keep saying the BP7006s have supercube IIIs in them, what made you come to this realization? From what I see they use a similar driver array, but obviously in a different cabinet, and just as well the amplifier is also different as well as the control features available for subwoofer setup. The subwoofers in the BP7006 towers are NOT the Supercube III subwoofers.

Second, pairing the BP7006s subwoofers with the SVS is no simple task. Making a correct or accurate setup is going to be next to impossible. Since the BP7006s must be placed for optimal top end sound and the subwoofers need to be placed to reduce bass humps and nulls, this is a pointless setup. The BP10s or some other speaker from the regular passive towers would be a better option for the OP, and more cost effective to boot.