Paradigm vs PSB for new 5.1 setup

[audnoob10]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a new 5.1 system for very large, roughly 5000 cubic ft area. I want to keep everything including sub and receiver around $3700.

Receivers: Pioneer Elite SC-25 or Denon AVR-3310CI can get either under $1000 from 6Ave. I know the store manager and have purchased several thousand dollars worth of HDTVs for myself and other family member

After fair amount of research and my listening taste I narrowed down to Paradigm and PSB. These speakers will be used, Music 30% - Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, Hindi Music from various artists/composers/directors including AR Rahman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar as well as Jagjit Singh and Ghulam Ali Ghazals; HD Cable 30% and Movies 40%.

I auditioned Paradigm and PSB both at J&V Audio in Midtown Manhattan however may not buy from them since I live in NJ and both manufacturers have warranty limitations. J&V is less than a block from my work and have spent tons of lunch breaks with my content.

This is what I am considering (have not really auditioned surrounds but you get the idea)

Paradigm
Monitor 9, CC-390, ADP-390
Studio 20, CC-490, ADP-590

PSB
Image T6/T5, C5, S5
Image T65, C60, S50 (haven't auditioned)

Sub from either HSU Research, Velodyne, SVS

I really like floor standers but still considering Studio 20 because Studio 60 with CC-590 is way out of my budget and J&V did not really carry them on display. I was told Monitor 11 would be ideal for my room size but didn't have them on display and same goes for PSB Image T65/C60/S50 but J&V told me that they can get PSB T65/C60/S50 combo for well under $2000 being last generation speakers. Not sure about PSB center channel, if I go with T6, center ch C5 be able to keep up with LR?

Now as far as my auditioning goes I really liked both Paradigm Studio 20 and PSB Image T5, I thought Paradigm was bit brighter but not harsh at all. Studio 20s are huge to be in bookshelf/monitor category they should be between floor stander and bookshelf. Now for PSB, they were more laid-back but ghazals (not sure if anyone on this forum would really understand this genre) sounded absolutely amazing on PSB. Sound was very clean and crisp on both and I was told by sales rep that Paradigm would get even better as after break in. Paradigm Monitor 9s were pretty good but again little brighter than Studio 20s, one thing I noticed on Monitor 9s that they struggled little bit on lows, again that could be due to crossover set at a lower frequency than Monitor 9s can really produce decent lows. I would personally crossover at recommended 80Hz or even higher and let my sub take care of lows. I really didn't audition all these speakers at the same time due to display availability and I only had 40-45mins for each visit. Btw I have auditioned Klipsch RF-62s at Magnolia and thought they are good for movies, I guess anything is good for movies but they weren't really musical speakers. I have also auditioned Energy RC-50s at Electronic Expo and thought they were better than Klipsch but not as good as Paradigm or PSB.

As far as looks, both Paradigm Monitor and Studio looked pretty good but Studios are really gorgeous in Rosenut and PSB aren't bad either as long as the grille is off.

 

[oppman99]

I like both Paradigm and PSB. I think you could be very happy with either brand. If you go the paradigm route, I'd pick the Studio 20's over the Monitors. Not that the Monitors are bad speakers, but I wouldn't go below the Studio line. Since you will be using a sub, I don't think you will be missing much by going with the Studio 20's. That is a fair amount of space to fill, and in that respect I usually prefer towers.

The thing to keep in mind with the PSB towers you are considering is that they are 4 ohm. I don't have any experience with the recievers you listed, so I can't say how well they will handle a 4 ohm load. You may decide down the road that you want an external amp to power them. In your situation, I might lean a little toward the PSB towers, but part of that is I already have a bunch of Paradigm stuff and wouldn't mind something different just for variety.

 

[audnoob10]

oppman99: Thanks for your input. I was considering Paradigm Studio 20 as well and not the Monitor if I go Paradigm route.

For PSB I can get Image T6/C5/S5 well within my budget however...

Would C5 be able to keep up with T6 towers since I am going to use them for movies a lot?

And is PSB Image T6/C5/S5 really an upgrade over Paradigm Studio 20/CC-490/ADP-590 or downgrade?

 

[oppman99]

The C5 is in the recommended package to go with the T6's, so you should be fine there.

As for whether or not the PSB's are an up/downgrade, I can't really help you there. I haven't done any extensive comparison between the Image and Studio lines. I know the Synchrony line tends to perform above their price point, but I don't know about the Image. My taste may be different than yours too (I doubt it from your descriptions). It's all a balancing act. You have to decide what price to performance ratio you will be happy with. You've auditioned both. Did either jump out and say "This is the one"?

It sounds like you really want to buy new for the warranty. I will say I've had good luck on sites like audiogon with used gear. You can save quite a bit of cash by going the used route if you're patient. Just throwing this out there in case you haven't considered it.

 

[audnoob10]

Both PSB Image T6/C5 and Paradigm Studio 20/CC-490 WOWed me but one had edge over other for specific content. For example I preferred Paradigm for Movies and Rock while PSB for Jazz and Ghazals. But they both overall sounded very very good. And that's the actual confusion. I am buying these speakers for long term and want to make sure I spend correctly and if I have to, will extend my budget.

J&V rep said he will call me when they get Paradigm SE3 or Studio 60 on display and told me to buy just fronts, center and sub initially and add surrounds later on basically to split my spending over time if I want to get Studio 60 with CC-590. I think I am going to stick with J&V for purchase as they are willing to offer 18.25% discount on Paradigm. He initially offered 10% off list but after negotiation he agreed to cover New York City sales tax in the discount and offered free delivery by one of his own guys. I live in NJ and if I buy from a dealer in New York City, would that cause an issue with warranty? Do I really have to buy from local dealer? I know for warranty repairs I would have to take them to J&V which is a hassle but not a huge deal breaker, I can always ship it.

 

[oppman99]

I like the idea of going with the front three speakers first and adding the surrounds later. You can use a pair of speakers you already own for surrounds until you can upgrade later. I don't think you'll miss too much unless you listen to multi-channel music.

I don't know how PSB handles warranty issues. Paradigm will require you to go through the dealer you bought them from. Paradigm protects their sales territory and dealers are only supposed to sell to customers in their territories. If J&V is the closest Paradigm dealer to you, warranty issues should not be an issue as far as location is concerned.

I'd say wait until you can audition the Studio 60's and see if you like them better than the PSB's for all music/movies. The overall sound shouldn't be much different than the 20's, but you may find the extra drivers give you better separation. I think your choice will likely come down to which type of music you listen to most considering you said your preference depended on the type of music or movies you were listening to.

 

[larbo70]

hello everyone, i have the pioneer sc-25 and the monitor 9's and cc370 center and monitor 3 for rear. and pw2200 as sub. the monitor 9 are awsome speakers for music and movies. i dont regret buying anything from paradigm, i never heard one bad thing out of them. even with volume at zero, the sc-25 goes too +12 so 0 is really loud. i have a mca 30 (anthem another good product from paradigm) powering my front 3 speakers. (180 w per chanel). so for me i dont think you can go wrong with the paradigm.

 

[audnoob10]

Side surround ADP-590 or ADP-390 to match SE3 front and center?

Thanks larbo70, for your input. I am leaning towards Paradigm as well. I am going to audition Studio 60/CC-590 and SE3 when it becomes available. If I go with SE3 I am considering getting 3 SE3s for front and center because judging by specs on SE Center, it may not be able to keep up with SE3 fronts specifically for HT/movies. If I go with SE3 I would have to consider getting surrounds from either Monitor line ADP-390 or Studio line ADP-590.

Is ADP-590 big upgrade from ADP-390 for side surround application to match SE3 front and center? I've seen both in person but not heard them and dimension wise not much different.

 

[larbo70]

the se looks real good. you know you dont have to buy everything at once ,lol. I bought my stuff one buy one , takes a while. But in the end you have yourself a really good system. i would love to get the studio 100's. But i just bought the pioneer sc-25, and my wife would KILL me .lol good luck with the hunting.

 

[jinjuku]

Based on the last time that I compared PSB Image series to the Paradigm Studio's it was PSB for the win.

I am not surprised that the Paradigms did better for rock/rap/hip hop and some movies. I thought they were a bit blatty/bloaty in the bottom ranges.

The PSB's simply imaged better and had better mid-range. They did better in HT when it came time to dialog and anything in the mid range. I preferred the sound stage the PSB's presented.

There you go: Another opinion

 

[audnoob10]

Based on the last time that I compared PSB Image series to the Paradigm Studio's it was PSB for the win.

I am not surprised that the Paradigms did better for rock/rap/hip hop and some movies. I thought they were a bit blatty/bloaty in the bottom ranges.

The PSB's simply imaged better and had better mid-range. They did better in HT when it came time to dialog and anything in the mid range. I preferred the sound stage the PSB's presented.

There you go: Another opinion

Jinjuku: thanks for your input. I am still in auditioning stage haven't auditioned Studio 60/CC-590 or SE3 yet but as you can see from my previous posts both between PSB Image T6/C5 and Paradigm Studio 20/CC-490 it is dead even at least for the content I listen and watch which was the cause of confusion. I just ASSUMED Studio 60/CC-590 or SE3 would provide something more and that is why I said I am leaning towards Paradigm. I will make final decision only after auditioning everything in my price range and accessible - dealers within 50 miles from my house. I really appreciate everyone's input on this thread and welcome any other suggestions in my price range, as long as they are locally available and I can personally audition them with my content. By the way, I saw an ad for AperionAudio on this forum or AVSForum and realized that they offer free in-home auditioning for 30 days; I think that is cool, how is their quality in my price range and how do they compare to Paradigm Studio/PSB Image?

The place I have been auditioning, authorized Paradigm and PSB dealer - J&V in New York City offered me to take set of speakers home for a night, if I leave a deposit/credit card and that is an excellent customer service. Unfortunately, J&V is in New York City and I live in NJ so carrying 3 large speakers on a train is impossible (and funny)

 

[3db]

Based on the last time that I compared PSB Image series to the Paradigm Studio's it was PSB for the win.

I am not surprised that the Paradigms did better for rock/rap/hip hop and some movies. I thought they were a bit blatty/bloaty in the bottom ranges.

The PSB's simply imaged better and had better mid-range. They did better in HT when it came time to dialog and anything in the mid range. I preferred the sound stage the PSB's presented.

There you go: Another opinion

That you would prefer PSB Image series over Paradigm Monitor series doesn't surprise me but to prefer them over Paradigm's Studio series is bit of shock. I'm a die hard PSB fan but I've heard the Studio series and they are a phenomenally good speaker series.

 

[jinjuku]

That you would prefer PSB Image series over Paradigm Monitor series doesn't surprise me but to prefer them over Paradigm's Studio series is bit of shock. I'm a die hard PSB fan but I've heard the Studio series and they are a phenomenally good speaker series.

It was a while ago so you are probably correct that is was the Monitor series. Maybe the Monitor 5's if I can shake my memory loose. Was woefully unimpressed with the Digm's. They were forgettable.

 

[audnoob10]

I found a local NJ based dealer with Paradigm Studio 60 on display, I am going to audition them on Saturday. Dealer does not have Studio CC-590 for auditioning and that is what I am looking for but I guess I can at least audition 2-ch music and use whatever center channel they have for movies. I still couldn't find any dealer carrying SE3 for auditioning. I will come back and post my Studio 60 experience.

 

[audnoob10]

Paradigm Studio 60 Impressions

Alright, I auditioned Paradigm Studio 60 v5 yesterday and they were absolutely amazing. I asked the sales rep to run them in full range minus the sub just to hear the lows and even without the sub they sounded really really good. Mid-range was very crisp and clear and highs were very clean. Store paired Studio 60s with CC-490 and Sub12 and it was just perfect for HT/movies (though I would get CC-590 if I go with Studio) and music, in fact All Along the Watchtower from Dave Matthews Band live performance rocked the whole place. Now I called at least 4 other dealers between North/Central NJ and NYC and could not find any dealer carrying any Special Edition speakers on display but based on what I read on HomeTheaterMag and AVSForum as well as what I was told by the sales rep that SE3 fronts has pretty much same drivers as Studio 60 but in Monitor cabinet and SE3's MSRP is $300 less than Studio 60. If what I read about Studio 60s and SE3s is true I don't think I need to audition SE3s but unfortunately Special Edition line does not have CC-590 comparable Center Channel. The SE Center specs matches CC-490 which could be an issue for HT use. Ideally I would get 3 x SE3 for fronts and center however unless I get new entertainment center I can't use a floorstanding speaker as my center channel.

Anyone on this forum has done A/B between Studio 60 and SE3?

If I go with Studio 60s and CC-590 then I can only afford fronts, center and sub at the moment and would have to add surrounds later on. But if I go with SE3s as fronts and SE Center or another SE3 as center channel, with my current budget I would be able to pick up ADP-390 as surrounds at the same time and complete my 5.1 system.

EDIT: Paradigm Studio 60 v5 in Piano Black looks ridiculously gorgeous and taking the grill off was like taking the cloths off of Miss America with your own hands

 

[Steelheart1948]

Audnoob10: Where exactly is J&V located at? Thanks!

 

[tedolap]

J&V Audio is located at 55 West 45th Street off of Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave). The staff is extremely helpful. I have been there at least 5 times, listening to various speakers and they are always friendly and glad to let me listen as long as I want. Steve is especially knowledgable and I have peppered him with hundreds of questions which he patiently answered.

I have pretty much narrowed things to 2 speakers: the PSB T5, which they carry, and the MartinLogan Motion 12's, which they don't carry. I would be curious to hear the T6 in comparison but if I go with PSB I will probably stick to the T5 for cost and size (WAF) reasons. Nearly all of the reviews that I see are for the T6.

I highly recommend the shop.