The Anthem's lights all went out so its is impossible to tell what is being used or where levels are at. Had to return to my trusty Yamaha HT receiver. It somehow works with each component in the system and basically automatically goes to that component when a disc is put in. Makes the whole system easy to use. Yes, the Anthem sounded a bit fuller, but it now works all the time and that is wonderful. All the 5.1 speakers have the same house sound and together sound quite nice. Special effects and localization of sounds is precise and fools me many times.
Even my wife likes it now that it is easy to use and does sound better. By the way, all the contacts are painted with Q45T contact enhancer and sound very good along with the better picture.
Bob
P.S. Most of the movies are treated with Auric Illuminator II and all my CD's are also. Much better sound and picture on the treated ones.
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@soix,
I found a great deal on a Paradigm Reference Studio V2 CC and had to make a platform at the top of my entertainment cabinet to put the bigger and much better speaker on. It took the speaker out of the cabinet, but I had to angle the part the speaker sits on so it was the same as my front Paradigm Studio V2's. The sound is very clear with no whomp caused by being in the cabinet as before. It looks about as good as it can sitting on top of a nice cabinet, but really makes the sound on everything much better. In fact, there is nothing to want now from the CC.
Thanks for the advice you gave me about 2 years ago. This speaker is a perfect match to what I already had and is now again an all Paradigm system, Including the receiver which is an Anthem 710. Now I just need to paint the contacts with some more NPS 1260 for full effect.
Bob
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15 months later
I put NPS-1260 on the speaker end of the wires along with each power cord in the system. The contact enhancer has been on for about 6 weeks now. More lifelike and clear sound with more distinct bass lines. Dynamics are also improved--not as much as the big rig in the basement by any means, but better sound in most ways. Zero problems from doing this.
Bob
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Thanks soix. My wife just doesn't care about the sound. I DO! That's most likely why she doesn't care. If I did this, I would probably start looking for a sub replacement of equal quality for replace the Paradigm sub I bought new 18 years ago. Man, I listened to the surround when I just had 4 Paradigm Atoms and on movies like Jeepers Creepers, I just about jumped clean off the couch on sudden dynamic sounds during the movie. Jurassic Park already has some very good sound with what I have. I do think she would appreciate the improved dialog with the better CC speaker. The sound makes at least as big a difference as a really good picture, which we have.
Thanks again for the info.
Bob
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If that doesn’t violate the WAF that’s absolutely what I’d do. You’d probably need to angle the speaker downward somewhat to aim the tweets more toward your ears, but that’s not a biggie. I think if you go with one of Paradigm’s better centers with the tweeter located above a dedicated midrange driver you’ll experience a not small improvement that even your wife will appreciate —I swear my wife’s hearing is better than mine, which pisses me off. Life’s too short to live with a mediocre center speaker IMHO. Best of luck in whatever you can get away with!
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Soix,
I agree with you about the sound not being as good in a cabinet, but the look is also important to my wife and I in the family room. She watches the TV most of the day so the speakers better not intrude on the look of the area too much.
I COULD move the center channel to above the cabinet by making a small shelf for it to sit on. This would put the CC sound about 12" above the main set of speakers in the surround system. That would let me get a CC that is the equal of the Paradigm Studio 20 V2 speakers. That would be a considerable upgrade from what we currently have. Tempting!
Thanks for your input several months ago.
Bob
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Good question, mahler123. First of all, the entertainment cabinet is staying as my wife an I both love the look. Secondly, after the Polk speaker broke in over 3 weeks, the sound became much improved. I now have 1 E-Mat+ under the Anthem receiver, and 1 more under the Sony TV, plus 1 on my circuit panel door directly in line with all the stereo and home theater circuits. The sound is VERY close to the same as the much more expensive Studio 20's except for the amount and deep sound of the bass. It fits beautifully in the cabinet and should give a whole lot of years of good sound. My Paradigm CC was 18 years old.
Bob
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Bob
How did this turn out for you?
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Thanks soix and erik_squires. I did find a couple center channel speakers that would fit my size and sound criteria. After consulting the sellers on the sound of the two, I choose the Polk Audio TSI CS10 CC as the described sound came the closest to matching my front speakers. Will have them by Friday and will let you know how they sound in the home theater. If nothing else, they should be some upgrade on the sound and 18 years newer than what I had--therefore, should last for quite awhile.
Bob |
It's the fit thing that's the problem. Too bad the entertainment unit is so nice looking. I've thought about adding a spacer to all sides just under the top section. It would be a lot of work, but then an 8" H CC speaker would work size wise and would be much better sound wise.
My home theater is a pretty good sounding system, but the main system is what I listen to the most and it sounds quite freakin' good.
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Um, if you are using room correction, just about any center channel, or even a lot of bookshelves which fits will work pretty well here.
I mean, not ideal, as larger = more output, and while yes, the cabinets muck with the sound the room EQ will deal with most of it.
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Thanks soix. That appears to be the sum of things.
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I went through all the “good sounding” center speakers I’m aware of (and that I think are on the level of your Studio Refs) and they’re all 7.5” or above. The center channel is too important. My advice — get out a saw or ditch the cabinet. Cabinets are the enemy of good sound. Best of luck.
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