Upgrade Advice

[goffja2000]

Hi,

I've had my home theater for 6 years now and I have some upgrade questions on speakers. I had been using a pair of speakers and a center channel I built about 25 years ago which always sounded good to me. Recently I came across a Craigslist deal where I was able to get the contents of a home theater. The speakers included were a pair of Paradigm 11se MK3's, a Definitive Technologies ProCenter 2000 and 2 Def Tech Monitor 1000 for surrounds. We did a sound test and everything sounded better than what I had been using. This got the upgrade bug going. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on some other brands or models to look for next. I'm open to used/older items like this set. My usage is an 80/20 split between home theater and music if that matters. I also have a Klipsch 12" sub that I use (lower end model they sell at Costco) and a Onkyo TX-NR636 receiver.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[mazersteven]

Hi,

I've had my home theater for 6 years now and I have some upgrade questions on speakers. I had been using a pair of speakers and a center channel I built about 25 years ago which always sounded good to me. Recently I came across a Craigslist deal where I was able to get the contents of a home theater. The speakers included were a pair of Paradigm 11se MK3's, a Definitive Technologies ProCenter 2000 and 2 Def Tech Monitor 1000 for surrounds. We did a sound test and everything sounded better than what I had been using. This got the upgrade bug going. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on some other brands or models to look for next. I'm open to used/older items like this set. My usage is an 80/20 split between home theater and music if that matters. I also have a Klipsch 12" sub that I use (lower end model they sell at Costco) and a Onkyo TX-NR636 receiver.

Thanks,

Jason

If you want to change your systems performance. I suggest getting a Quality Subwoofer. It will make a Huge impact. SVS, Power Sound Audio

SVS also make good speakers

Home Audio Speakers, Subwoofers and Cables | SVS

SVS builds speakers, subwoofers and audio accessories for music and home theater surround sound systems. Proudly engineered in Youngstown, Ohio.

www.svsound.com

Home Audio Subwoofers and Speaker Systems | Power Sound Audio

Discover the best Home Audio Subwoofers and Speaker Systems from Power Sound Audio. Designed and assembled in Ohio.

www.powersoundaudio.com

Other Speakers I Recommend are

Paradigm
Monitor Audio
Cantons
Ascend Acoustics

Ascend Acoustics

Ascend Acoustics- Award-winning audiophile loudspeakers and subwoofers for home theater and music, factory-direct. Rythmik subwoofers now available.

www.ascendacoustics.com

 

[lovinthehd]

There are many many brands and models of speakers out there so hard to say what to look for particularly, especially used as the availability, particularly in your area, will be a large factor. Just do some research or if you have questions about particular ones, post a question up. I'd say your sub is a good first target for an upgrade, tho.

 

[Mikado463]

total agreement with mazer and lovin, your sub is weak by a wide margin, start there. Given your 80/20 split after the sub I'd concentrate on the HT side. You're currently 5.1 I believe , thoughts on expanding beyond that ?

 

[goffja2000]

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. I do have wiring in place for 2 more surrounds in the room. I'll focus on the sub next and see what I can come across next. Right now I have the Paradigms bi-amped on the onkyo so I'm out of open spaces for more. I could switch them back and gain the 2 extra connections on the receiver though for surrounds. I want to upgrade the receiver and projector but Covid's making finding anything new too expensive so for now I've been looking at the speakers since those seem to be available from time to time.

 

[lovinthehd]

Use the connections for other speakers, passive bi-amping is a waste of wire.

 

[goffja2000]

Hello again,

I have another question on my setup. I picked up a pair of Audio Physic Yarra's this weekend on FB Marketplace. They seem to have a little more detail than the Paradigm 11se MK3's so I put them as the fronts and moved the Paradigms to the rear surrounds replacing the pair of Def Tech Monitor 1000's.

Does that layout make sense for the speakers? Also the yarra's both had the cones pushed in on the tweeters (as well as one of the MK3 Paradigms. Are those easy to repair or is it better to replace the tweeters at that point?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Does that layout make sense for the speakers? Also the yarra's both had the cones pushed in on the tweeters (as well as one of the MK3 Paradigms. Are those easy to repair or is it better to replace the tweeters at that point?

Try to use clear tape to try to gently pull the tweeters cones out

 

[goffja2000]

Thanks, couldn’t get it with the tape but was able to get it with some 3/4 inch tubing. Scary stuff but the Yaras look and still sound great.