Premium speaker to match Outlaw Pre 975 + amp NAD 995 5x100

[lietuvis91]

All, I'm ready to step up my HT experience to a nicer speaker than my Polks LSI series set. I will keep them for 2ch use in another room, but would like a very nice HT speaker set that would run well off of my current NAD amp 995 which is 5 x 100w and an Outlaw 975 Pre with HDMI. I have fair quality cables all ready to go.

I started to make a short list. I would LOVE to run the Paradigm signature S2 with this setup, but I suspect it may not have enough amp to run them to sound their best, especially that big and needy center channel, so I need to shoot a little lower.

A few thoughts I had:

KEF R Series (r300, r100, r200c)
Some suitable set from Dynaudio using x14s maybe?
Paradigm Studio (20s, 10s, and a center) THOUGHT, IF I GOT THESE, I WOULD ALWAYS WONDER WHAT THE SIGNATURE SERIES WOULD SOUND LIKE INSTEAD! so maybe not a good choice.
Focal Chorus 800w series. (I just love the look of this speaker!)

I'm just starting my search and so I'm trying to learn at this point, so please don't shoot me for comparing seemingly incomparable speakers. I have very limited access to listen to stuff. No hifi shops in New Orleans that carry any variety.

What suggestions would you have for the classiest speaker that would sound superb driven by my current gear that were roughly $3k for the left and right bookies?

 

[lietuvis91]

Forgot to mention, the SMALLEST speaker with the BIGGEST sound is what, ideally I'd like to end up with.

 

[j_garcia]

Uh, yeah, don't go with the Studios if you might listen to the Sigs. There's no question I'd take the Sigs over the Studios without a second thought and of your list, I really liked them. I like the Dynaudios I heard a few years back and heard the Focals but don't recall them well enough meaning I probably wasn't impressed enough to commit them to memory.

Also see:
Philharmonitor (may be too large after your second post)
Ascend Sierra 1s

 

[lietuvis91]

Thanks, I looked at your suggestions, which look nice, but I as dumb as this may sound, I would like to blow more money. lol!

I found another nice option ( I think!)

Silk Performance bookshelf (8” W x 14” H x 11” D) and $3500 for the pair is right where I want to be size wise and price wise.

I need to call them and chat about my gear and their speakers to see if what I already have will work or if speakers in this price range just need better gear.

I just want a system which i can turn on and say HOLLY COW that sounds AMAZING! Yeah... you guys know what I'm after.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I sold my 3 pairs of KEF 201/2 piano gloss cherry in excellent condition for about $2900 per pair. They were $6K MSRP. It has the same tweeter and midrange driver as their $20,000 flagship speakers.

Another high-end speaker I recommend is the RBH Signature Reference SX-61/R. MSRP is $1900, but street price is about $1300-$1400/ pair. It has the same Scan-Speak 9500 Silk Dome tweeter and same Reference aluminum midrange as their $20,000 flagship speakers.

 

[ImcLoud]

You will need a center also, correct?

I would go with http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2.html the left right and center will be under $3000 and sound better than anything else I can think of... good luck..

 

[KEW]

What suggestions would you have for the classiest speaker that would sound superb driven by my current gear that were roughly $3k for the left and right bookies?

I would LOVE to run the Paradigm signature S2 with this setup, but I suspect it may not have enough amp to run them to sound their best, especially that big and needy center channel, so I need to shoot a little lower.

Paradigm Studio (20s, 10s, and a center) THOUGHT, IF I GOT THESE, I WOULD ALWAYS WONDER WHAT THE SIGNATURE SERIES WOULD SOUND LIKE INSTEAD! so maybe not a good choice.

Sounds like you really want Paradigm Signature S2's, so get them already!
Their sensitivity (in room) is 91dB vs the Studio20 at 90dB, so they would be easier to drive than the Studio Series! I used a 90 watt per channel Marantz SR6001 to power mine with no problem. I am betting your NAD power Amp is more rigorous than the amp section of my receiver.

As for the "big and needy" C3 center channel, it has a sensitivity of 91db so like the S2 is more efficient than the Studio20 as well.
(if you are looking at the C5, it has a sensitivity of 93!)

I think maybe you are looking at Paradigm's "maximum input power" spec which is as follows:
Studio20 110watts
S2 140watts
C3 180watts

These numbers only mean that the S2 and C3 can stand more power than the Studio20 (as in designed to handle more power), but to play them at the same volume, requires less power than the Studio20's!

If you are still not sure, can I assume you are using a subwoofer and will crossover at around 80Hz (where SVS recommends for the S2)? If so, you are further reducing the demands on your amp!