Quick question

[msstate96]

Hey guys. Looking for a little advice from you. I've had a 5.1 Paradigm speaker set for a HT setup before and I LOVED it. I'm in the process of building a new house that's got a pretty awesome media room. To go with it, I want to go from box speakers to in-wall speakers. I'm also going to go from 5.1 to 7.1. I'm going to keep my Paradigm sub, since there's no real need to replace it and I can divert my $$ to the speakers instead. So, what I'm looking for is advice on what speakers to go with for a 7.1 system (I want to stay with Paradigm). My budget for the 7 speakers is about $4500 total. If the room is a factor, its a 14' by 16' closed room with stadium seating. What's most important to me since this is going to be used about 90% for theater and about 10% for music is that the voice in movies isn't overpowered by sound effects/music. That was never a problem with my lower end Paradigm system (total speakers and sub were about $1800). I want to make sure that whatever I go with won't run into that problem either. Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am actually researching/auditioning inwalls myself right now. So far the only thing that seems to come close to my Paradigms are the ones listed below and that is crossed over to a very good sub. I still have a lot more research to go but maybe this will get you started. I don't think Paradigm inwalls will touch what you have now unless you are using something way down the product line.

http://www.atlantictechnology.com/default.asp?NodeId=134

http://www.josephaudio.com/JosephAudio/Insider.html

A forum member who owns an AV store is also looking into some more options for me.

 

[msstate96]

Well what I have right now that I'm looking to replace is....

a pair of Paradigm mini MKS black speakers
a pair of Paradigm Atom 15 white rear speakers
Paradigm CC 390 black center channel speaker
Marantz SR 5400 5.1 reciever


The budget of $4500 would be to just replace the top three lines. I would hope that I could find something in-wall at this price point that could replace the top three lines there....and I am brand loyal to Paradigm. I mean, I'm spending ALOT more than I did the first time.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ok then, get some Paradigm inwalls.....I would get the most expensive ones.

 

[msstate96]

I need some insight into what might be the best choice of speaker models for the 7 speakers from someone who has tested them out. If I walk into a B&M Paradigm dealer, they are going to push whatever is most expensive and I would rather to in armed with input from audiophiles on what might be the best choices.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I listed the best choice I have found and the digms won't hold a candle to them.

The best Paradigm inwalls I have heard were the SA-LCR 3s and they are quite nice.

 

[mperfct]

I listed the best choice I have found and the digms won't hold a candle to them.

The best Paradigm inwalls I have heard were the SA-LCR 3s and they are quite nice.

I saw those too and they looked super sexy, fwiw. Any idea on MSRP on those? (Not that I'm replacing my RBH SI-760s, at least not in this house).

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think they were around 1200 bucks each.

 

[mperfct]

I think they were around 1200 bucks each.

SHIZZAM! That's some pretty proud pricing. I bet they are pretty nice though.

 

[AVRat]

I would suggest the AMS series, but they don't offer a multi-polar surround or an LCR/center that fits in the standard 16" OC studbay. If these aren't issues for you then perhaps the 2-way/drivers options would work. What are you using for a display? A PJ w/ AT screen would alleviate the center issue.

For the money, you should consider other options as well.

 

[msstate96]

So, I think I've settled in to using Paradigm Reference SA-35s in the front, SA-30s on the sides and back, a Paradigm CC 390 center and a sub. Does anyone see any glaring issues with this configuration or should it be fine?

 

[mperfct]

So, I think I've settled in to using Paradigm Reference SA-35s in the front, SA-30s on the sides and back, a Paradigm CC 390 center and a sub. Does anyone see any glaring issues with this configuration or should it be fine?

I think that sounds pretty sweet. The weakest link in that configuration will clearly be your ears.

 

[Highbar]

So, I think I've settled in to using Paradigm Reference SA-35s in the front, SA-30s on the sides and back, a Paradigm CC 390 center and a sub. Does anyone see any glaring issues with this configuration or should it be fine?

So you're looking at reusing your existing center? That's not going to sound good when it comes to sounds that span across the front sound stage. You're going to notice a difference in the speakers especially since you are going from a Reference model to a lower model and back to Reference. I would suggest looking at either the CS or AMS series and getting matching speakers all the way around, at least keep the front 3 LCR in the same series. Maybe get 3 Reference speakers for the fronts and then a lower series for the surrounds? That way money would stay the same.

As for the sub as long as it can produce good deep bass and keep you happy that will be fine to reuse.

 

[AVRat]

For side-surrounds, I'd use the SA-ADPs instead for the diffuse sound effect. As mentioned, the 390 may not be a good timbre match. What's the pricing look like for these speakers?