Room dimensions: which Paradigm should I get?



I'm building my first "real" system, gearing towards home theeater. I'm on a small budget, and for a while I'm going to use mixmatched speakers for surrounds, and I've bought an Outlaw pre and an Outlaw amp. All I have left to buy are two fronts, and I want towers. I was going to hold out for used Infinity Kappa's, simply because I always wanted them. But now I'm getting anxious since I have purchased all the other pieces.

I've decided to get a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio v3's. Now I need to decide on getting the 100's, or would the 60's be plenty?

Here are my room dimensions:

L W H
20' x 17' x (vaulted 8.5' to 12.5')

Adding to the cubic volume of this room there is a dining room, open and offset at the left rear measuring 20'x12'x8'. There is one door to a hall, a double wide opening into the kitchen, and another double wide opening into the game room.

Here is my (partially pieced together) system:

Outlaw Audio 950 Pre/Pro
Outlaw Audio 770, 200Wpc, 7 channels
Fronts: Not yet decided
Surrounds: Celestion Impact 30, 4 ohm, max 150W
2nd Surrounds: Celestion "Little 1", 8 ohm, 10-50W
Center: MB Quart Center, 6 ohm, 125W
Sub: Velodyne self powered 10"

Again, my question here is whether to get the Paradigm Studio 100 v3 or Studio 60 v3.

Thanks, Greg

P.S. Oh yeah! I hear that some local chains sell Paradigms? Which ones? I'm in the Dallas TX area.
gregcagle

Showing 1 response by exertfluffer

This is exactly what I've been harping about! It never stops amazing me how people can buy otherwise good PIECES of gear, and have it ALL WRONG!!!! Mixing and matching speakers ia a surefire(garnateed mind you) reciepe for mediocre to poor over all sound at best! YOu will not have a believable coherent timber mathed soundfield. YOu will not have even response and tonality from all of your speakers, and so you can expect marginal results at best! Not to rain on your parade. But that's what it is. Infact, every major audio mag will write (from experienced audio/video people mind you) that you must use all the same speakers if you expect good sound or better! Your ear is VERY SENSITIVE to tonal changes. So, when sounds shift from one side to the other, you will indeed be aware of the differnce...TOTALLY PULLING YOU OUT OF THE MOVIE! (or music)...making you consciously aware that you are listening to a bunch of speakers/gear. I don't understand this.
Most people would be better off using just two matched speakers and a sub rather than using multiple mismatched speakers, which are the main sound of the system (equipment wise)! INfact, you'd have better sound either using all matching cheeper speakers overall, and/or just a simple receiver to drive them!!!!(and yes, separates, ultimlatey is the way to go to maximize your sound for sure)
It appears to me like you also were more interested in buying the amp/pre before finalizing your speakrs. REally, getting the speakers all correct should be first...then add the gear. And Outlaw is good budget gear, no doubt!
Still, I'm reading what you are doing, and shaking my head.(yes, my issue!). Still, IT's all good, and to each his own.
I would like to see you get a better audio/visual experience than youre likely heading for. MORE IS NOT BETTER!...BETTER IS BETTER! Infact, often less is better!..or quality "LESS" is better, not "More LESSER QUALITY!!!!".
I've probably done several hundred plus systems over the last 15 years, and have done my share for sure. I've sold the most expensive gear all the way to the cheapest gear, and in between. And what I've learned is that great performing audio/video isn't about pieces, it's about THE WHOLE!...and how well that whole is integrated and executed AS A TEAM!!!...like any team effort. It's the team, and making that team work together. What you're doing won't get you there, if that's important to you. And it sounds like youre' trying to get great reslts, otherwise you wouldn't be spending on more expensive stuff.
Anyway, there's been soooooooo much writen and re-writen on how to do this stuff right! I don't understand wanting to "re-invent the wheel", only to end up with less than great results.
I'd much rather see you stay with the Celestions all around than try to mix-match. OTherwise, sell em all off and get a MATCHED SYSTEM!
Hummmmmm...I wonder is you wrote this similar question into the editors of some of the Stereo/HT mag's, what they'd say. I bet they'd comment or recommend similar path's for you. Anyway, good luck.
BTW, I've sold the Paradigms, and Infinities over the years. IF you absolutely love the sound of the Paradigms, then GET ALL PARADIGMS!...AND SELL YOUR OTHERS! OTherwise, if the Infinities, get matching speakers all around there as well.