Hi everyone;

I was just about to purchase a centre channel and I was wondering a few things...

-How does the Paradigm Reference CC-570 compare to the
VP-150?

-How does Paradigm (Reference) compare to Axiom - not so much in value/cost as I know Axiom has them beat there - but in terms of absolute quality. Anyone owned both?

Some added info... I have a 18x25ftx8ft high room and I'll be using a Yamaha RXV2400 receiver.

Thanks so much everyone.

As a former Paradigm owner, I feel I've got license to reply here.

Although I don't doubt that the Paradigm CC-570 is a fine sounding speaker, the fundamental design of the Axiom VP-150 probably gives it a significant advantage. The standard mid-tweeter-mid design on the Paradigm center tends to create a very directional and focused sound. For the person sitting directly in front of the screen, the sound is great, but as you move further from the sweet spot, the upper sound range rolls off significantly.

The VP-150's design puts the tweeters at the outer edges, which allows the high-frequency sounds to spread over a wider area. Also, the 3 mid-woofers help it more effortlessly reproduce the rest of the audio spectrum.

Keep in mind that I haven't heard either of these speakers, but Axiom speakers are often said as being comparable to the Paradigm reference line -- only they're much cheaper!

In reply to:

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I'll be using a Yamaha RXV2400 receiver

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Excellent choice! Let us know how you like the 2400.

I've heard both speakers (not side by side) and they are both excellent. From memory, the Paradigm sounded a bit more relaxed and warmish and slightly recessed (although very clear) which could be a plus for "hot"(bright) movie dialogue where as my initial thoughts of the Axiom was vivid, clear, live, and clean which could be misconstrued as bright but the RX-V 2400s YPAO will work it's magic to smooth out the frequencies that can sometimes cause a speaker to seem a bit "shouty". From memory, I perfer the VP-150 and perceive that it has more of a "live"(you are there) presentation. If your mains are Axioms, the VP-150 should be a no brainer.

In fact, speaking of YPAO, I had contemplated replacing my KEF center speaker because it sounded a little too "polite" until I got the RX-V 2400. YPAO made a new speaker out of it. It's brought the dialogue slightly foreward and seems to be more seamless with the front mains and is very satisfiying now though still not as lively(as in alive) as the VP-150.

Recently heard some Paradigms for the first time. Not sure what the model is called, studio or reference...it was their high end tower, v3. The cream of their crop.

Bleck. It lacked both the clarity and soundstage of my M60s, at twice the cost. Tone-wise, I could see how they're comared to Axioms, but they just didn't cut if for me. So far the closest thing to sounding like my Axioms has been the new B&W 700 series tower.

Sorry I know that doesn't answer your center channel question, but it's at least an Axiom/Paradigm comparison.

Just to help spiff out a bit. I was with him, and two others to hear speakers that day. The Paradigms were heard were the Studio 60v3.

To me, they sounded so bad compared to the other stuff we heard that I think some thing was wrong.

Wow. I really can't believe you guys didn't like the Paradigms. I listened to the Studio 100s V3, the next step up, I thought they were outstanding. Although $1000. each. They were my front runners. Though I did buy the Axioms (M60s) and am VERY glad I did. Especially for the money diff. But, I did like the Paradigms very much, and am surprised at your opinions. (Of course thats why they call them that!)

Like Curtis said, perhaps they were hooked up incorrectly or something. But what I heard sounded quite bad.

Rob,

I was originally going to buy Paradigm, thinking they were affordable speakers. But when people on this board told me how wrong i was, I just took a leap of faith and purchased Axiom speakers. Glad I did! After hearing the difference, it was night and day. I then found out Dumoulin was still selling some Axioms, so I went to listen to other ones there, and I was far more impressed.

Cheaper prices, better sound, real customer service... you can't go wrong.

I thought the new CC-570 looked very interesting, will hear it next week.

But I won't give a review because there is really no point. So many factors including the room, volume level, brand name, and even your ears (I don't believe we all hear the same thing) influence your feelings about a speaker.
I think that Axiom and Paradigm are two very good Canadian speaker companies, in the end it's your decision.

i liked the paradigm's and m22 similarly, except the paradigm had more bass. and the paradigm cost a lot more.
i think paradigm is a good option if you dont want to buy online

has anyone tried convincing 2 relatively old people (my parents aged 59+57) that buying online is superior to buying in store?
It cant be done:(

anyways, you will be happy with either, but you will save money with axiom

actually i have done that and managed to get them to buy online. he was older, actually. he bought airfare from aircanada.com

Hi Hawk,
I'm the same age as your youngest parent, been buying online for years . Still trying to convince my mother to get on the net.

I was also looking at making a decision between Paradigm and Axiom. Spent a lot of time researching before I made a decision (about 8 months). The reviews on both were very good and I had an opportunity to listen to Paradigms prior to buying. Eventually I took a chance on Axiom and have not regretted it. I posted a reply in "which receiver to choose for my Axiom/HSU setup" on this board regarding Paradigms and Axioms side by side.

I don't think you'll regret buying either but your pocket book will thank you with Axioms. Since I could not preview the Axioms, the thing that pushed me over the edge to Axiom was a 15% across the board price hike for Paradigms that the dealers would not budge on.

Thanks for all of your input everybody. Real humans give responses that are so much more interesting than sales staff.

Rob in Ottawa

Let me put it this way, I work for a local highend A/V retailer, and I can get anything from M&K, Martin Logan, Sonus Faber, Vienna Acoustics, and others AT UP TO A 75% DISCOUNT! I went with Axioms simply b/c they are the absolute best I have heard at this price range, and perform better than other speakers that cost much much more.

You work for Magnolia?

Speaking of Magnolia...

One of their delivery trucks was four or five house away last night. I saw a big screen TV come out of it....a Pioneer Elite. It was parked there for a long time. I wonder if they got any other goodies.

No, but even if I did I couldn't say or I could be fired.

Nice to know what kind of markup those places get. I work for a IT company/reseller (service/sales) and all I get is 15-20% discount (if that). Geez, I'm in the wrong business.

What say we quit our current jobs and start our own audio store? I think there's a market for completely honest audio sales.

Sounds like a plan. I'll submit my letter of resignation right now.

75%!

I worked at SEARS for 3 weeks during Xmas break and I only got a 10-20% discount on electronics there. I would not have bought anything there, except for maybe a plasma TV. If I could have gotten 75 % off on a Plasma TV, I would have 2 HDTVs in my apartment now.