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Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
#337466 02/08/11 05:40 AM
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Wiggins Offline OP
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Right now I have a system consisting of a Yamaha htr-6190(RXV-1800) Paradigm Monitor 11, CC290, Mini Monitors. All are the v5 series. I use a PS3 slim for my blu-ray/streaming etc and use my laptop extensively via hdmi as well for music and movies. I am interested in Axiom and want to replace my setup I have now. I have been very happy with my system and it has served me well. I guess curiosity is getting the best of me. I really do enjoy the Studio V4 line from Paradigm and have read on here that Axiom is comparable/better than the Studio line. I am 27 and never heard an Axiom setup yet. How much of an upgrade can I expect going from my setup to one consisting of M80/M60 towers, VP180/VP150 centers and M22/M3's as rears. (Right now I have nowhere to put the QS8's unfortunately.) I use the system for both music and movies. My price range is around 2000-2500 cdn. I sit 9 ft from the tv, the room is 12 ft wide by 24** ft long(half the room for hometheatre and the back half for a seating area and table) and 9 ft ceilings. My fronts are about a foot and half away from wall. Will Axiom be as bright as the monitor series? I would like a little less bright to be honest at higher volumes or I just need to use a better source lol.

Can the Yammy 1800 handle the 4 ohm loads across the front from the M80 and Vp180. I listen at both low levels and higher levels which I had measured to be up to 95db***(using iPhone 4 with an app to measure, not sure how accurate it is.) Eventually I will get into separates and am interested in Emotiva, Parasound(used), Sunfire(used) and the like that offer good value for your money.



Just curious of what I can expect going from my system to an Axiom system. I am open to everyone's opinion and suggestions, not going to hurt my feelings here. I have been frequenting these forums for a few years from time to time and look forward to hearing from you guys.

I guess the question would be "what would you do if you were in my shoes?". I have a general idea of what I want to do but just need that extra push over the edge.

Thanks in advance guys.

Chris

Here is a link to my CAM profile where you can see pictures of my setup:

canuckaudiomart.com/thebirdprofile

Last edited by Wiggins; 02/08/11 05:46 AM.

Panny 50"PZ85u, Anthem MRX510, Emotiva UPA7, Monitor Audio Silver 8, Centre, FX, HTPC, PS4
Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
Wiggins #337469 02/08/11 06:09 AM
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Chris, I looked at your pictures and it isn't apparent why you say that you can't place QSs. At worst, even if the side surrounds couldn't be wall mounted, they could be placed on stands in a similar position to what you do now. The wider dispersion of the QSs would be of particular benefit at such close distances.

As to the 6190 and the rated "4 ohm" impedance of the M80/VP180(more realistically about a 6 ohm average, considering the overall frequency range), it would handle them easily at 95dB, which would use only about 10 watts at most at your listening position.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
JohnK #337473 02/08/11 12:33 PM
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if you would like a little less bright, you should try some sound absorbing (reflection absorbing) on the side walls, between your seating position and the front L/R speakers, and maybe on the ceiling too.
the back of the room should have some diffusing material, like picture frames or better yet, a book case that takes a good part of that wall.

tweeter "brightness" depends a lot on these factors, and if there is not enough sound absorbing/diffusing material, the high frequencies bounce around on the surfaces and reinforce themselves until they hit your ear and make you wince.

Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
J. B. #337509 02/08/11 05:07 PM
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Hi Chris,

I agree with Mssrs. Bellemare and K.

Try to find a way to make the QS8's work in your room; they are exceptional, and might be a good first step.

I don't think you'd have trouble with your Yamaha. If you did, you could just add a stereo amp and use its pre-outs.

Excellent observation about wall treatment, particularly on the right side. I'll bet you would notice a very significant overall improvement simply by hanging a rug or something on that short wall next to the right speaker.

I have not heard your Paradigms, but they are well-respected and - if you are happy - you might be better served with other kinds of upgrades. I think that getting M80's and a VP180 would probably be an "upgrade", but I don't know that such a purchase would present good value for you.

Your sub seems fairly small for such a large room. That room looks like it would accommodate a projector and screen nicely.

I'd get (and properly position) the QS8's, use the mini-monitors for rear speakers (i.e. go to 7.1) and think of upgrading the sub rather than replacing the L/C/R.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
tomtuttle #337527 02/08/11 06:04 PM
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Thanks a lot guys for the suggestions and opinions, very appreciated. I'll look to see what I can do about the wall treatment on the side and behind the speakers. It would be tough to accommodate the vp180 as the depth on my stand is 16" and I assume there is a port in the middle of the speaker which would line up with the back leg of the stand and now sure if the middle rack would like the 56 lbs. Plus I'd need a few inches for my speaker cable with banana plugs. The manual of the stand doesn't indicate what each of the levels can take for weight, just a gross weight of 300 lbs. So on top I have the TV which is 90lbs, in the middle the cc290 which is 32 lbs then the bottom I'd say about 45 lbs.

I think for the time being I'll focus on some room treatments and look into a new subwoofer. Any suggestions on a Sub. I could go with a DSP 3200 to keep it all Paradigm but brand name doesn't matter. The Axiom ones are a little more than what I would like to spend.

Thanks.


Panny 50"PZ85u, Anthem MRX510, Emotiva UPA7, Monitor Audio Silver 8, Centre, FX, HTPC, PS4
Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
Wiggins #337538 02/08/11 06:36 PM
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Hi Wiggins,

Don't get carried away with room treatments before you hear your speakers. From the pictures of your setup, it appears there's a rug or carpet on the floor, which is excellent. You do NOT want to create a dead-sounding listening environment.

Adding sound-absorbing baffles to side walls may increase dialog intelligibility with home theater, but it will also reduce overall spaciousness and depth for music playback (because more reverberant energy is absorbed).

Regards,
Alan


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
Wiggins #337540 02/08/11 06:41 PM
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a good and cheap way to absorb sidewall reflections is to affix on that wall a thin egg crate like foam mattress to the wall in such a way that it makes waves in a vertical manner. in order for that to look good, you then suspend drapes or whatever over the foam.

this is a minimal treatment.

Last edited by J. Bellemare; 02/08/11 06:43 PM.
Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
Wiggins #337541 02/08/11 06:42 PM
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I agree on the QS8 comments. For a sub in this price range, I would seriously consider the new HSU VTF-15H, it is getting rave reviews and looks to be a bargain. Anything for HSU, SVS, ED and the likes will serve you well.


Bruno
M80s/VP180/QS8s/EP600/AVR-890
------------------------------------
"The problem is choice..."
Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
bdpf #337623 02/09/11 03:40 AM
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I took my Denon 3802 and my M80's a few years ago to the Home Theatre place here in Halifax. We tested the Paradigm monitor 11's and also the studio 60's and 100's against my M80's.
I had no problem taking my M80's over the Monitors and the Studio 60's. However ,it was a toss up with the 100's and M80's however, I think I gave the nudge to the Paradigm 100's .... but ever so slightly. Then, we are talking a $1200 speaker at the time against a $3800 speaker and for $2000 less, I took my M80's and didn't look back.
the other thing is ...here in Canada, Halifax to be exact the M80's VP180 and 4 QS8's are $3200 tx icl ....Paradigms Studio 100's, matching centre and 4 ADP's cost $6600 plus tax. They may sound better over all, but I think only slightly and sure as hell not $4000 better.


Anthem MRX520
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Re: Updating Home Theater..Paradigm to Axiom.....
TroyD #337669 02/09/11 06:30 PM
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Wiggins Offline OP
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Looking at a few subs right now, the Paradigm DSP 3400 for $897 plus tax local so around a grand, Emotiva Ultra 12 for $638 shipped to Nova Scotia and ED A5s-300 for $550 plus shipping, still waiting on a quote. Looking for other suggestions in the $500-$1000 range.


Panny 50"PZ85u, Anthem MRX510, Emotiva UPA7, Monitor Audio Silver 8, Centre, FX, HTPC, PS4
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