Upgrading, and wondering which speakers to Get
I am currently running 3 x Paradigm LCR 350's, ironically as my LC and R. I am using a Pioneer Elite VSX-54Tx as a pre with a B&K AV5125 as my main amp. I have two Paradigm Monitor 3's as rear surrounds and a pair of Cambridge Newtons (tripoles) as L/R surrounds (mostly for transitional effect), a Mirage FXRs 8", and an Earthquake Supernova MKIV 10" for subs. What I'd like to do is upgrade my fronts. I like the LCR's but I have chronic upgradeitis, and I really feel likes there's a little something missing from my system. I've been looking at the Paradigm Studio 20's with with a CC-470, but I keep coming across reviews on Ascends and Axioms, and a bunch of other less expensive but seemingly comparable speakers. Take the Ascend SMT340m and SMT340c combo for example. They seem to match up pretty well with the Paradigms on paper, but I'm skeptical (by nature...if it seems to good to be true...)
I know the 20/470 combo will sound good, but what I am wondering is, can I get pretty close to that and spend about $400-$500 less?
Any thoughts/opinions greatly appreciated.
