Centre Front Speaker Recommendation?

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TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#175788 11-Jul-2015 20:06

My current centre front speaker — Paradigm CC-170 — has started to buzz, so I guess I need to replace it. Though to be honest, I have not tried experimenting with the amp settings. Any suggestions for an equivalent speaker?

The rest of the system is getting on in years, but I can't hear anything above 8khz, so no point in going crazy.

Amp     Denon AVR-1802
Front speakers Rega ELA (25 years old)
Rear speakers   KEF Coda
Subwoofer      Velodyne CHT - 12R (10 years old)

TV is Panasonic 60AS700 if that makes any difference.

Harvey Norman start at $368 for Polk Audio TSX150C

I'm near Blenheim.

Thanks

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

Dratsab

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#1341360 11-Jul-2015 21:31

I went shopping for a new centre and sub a couple of years back and ended buying KEF Q series speakers to 'match' my existing KEF speakers (older C series). The centre I brought was a Q600, which I happen to think is far superior to a Kambrook 12" square frypan (check out the price comparison tab) although others may disagree :-)

billgates

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#1341363 11-Jul-2015 21:38

Your centre speaker should always match the brand and timber chassis if your front left and right speakers

Do whatever you want to do man.

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1341419 11-Jul-2015 22:27

Dratsab: I went shopping for a new centre and sub a couple of years back and ended buying KEF Q series speakers to 'match' my existing KEF speakers (older C series). The centre I brought was a Q600, which I happen to think is far superior to a Kambrook 12" square frypan (check out the price comparison tab) although others may disagree :-)

:-) The Q600 is showing US$650 on Amazon, which is more than I want to pay. I am not a HiFi kind of a person because my hearing isn't up to it. I'm looking for something equivalent to the Paradigm CC-170 that I have now, although it could be argued that a better speaker might not be giving me problems.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#1341524 12-Jul-2015 11:10

The Audiophile in Nelson sell Paradigm, in Blenheim... there would be Harvey Norman who would sell Klipsch, Polk, B&W, Theophany and Wharfedale.

Looking at the specs of your centre (90dB efficient) and a alloy tweeter assembly - you may be better off with a Klipsch, than the 'relaxed soud' of the Polk.
The Klipsch will be similar sensitivity wise to your existing Paradigm, whereas the B&W would be trickier to drive (quieter for the same volume level) - and if your hearing isn't what it was, you may be very happy with the extra detail that the Klipsch's horn loaded tweeter offers.

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1341531 12-Jul-2015 11:30

Dunnersfella: The Audiophile in Nelson sell Paradigm, in Blenheim... there would be Harvey Norman who would sell Klipsch, Polk, B&W, Theophany and Wharfedale.

Looking at the specs of your centre (90dB efficient) and a alloy tweeter assembly - you may be better off with a Klipsch, than the 'relaxed soud' of the Polk.
The Klipsch will be similar sensitivity wise to your existing Paradigm, whereas the B&W would be trickier to drive (quieter for the same volume level) - and if your hearing isn't what it was, you may be very happy with the extra detail that the Klipsch's horn loaded tweeter offers.

That sounds like excellent advice. Thanks, I'll get along to HN today.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

lchiu7

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#1341545 12-Jul-2015 13:00

I have a Paradigm LCR-450 which I bought many years ago which I no longer use but is still in tip top condition. Only stopped using it when I replaced all my front 3 speakers with KEF.

I suspect it might be expensive to ship to Blenheim from Wellington though.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

TLD

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1341574 12-Jul-2015 14:21

I got a Klipsch R-25C from Harvey Norman, and even I can hear that it is better than the Paradigm. Brighter, but not overly so. I'm getting more into that area of cymbals etc. that was being lost to my ageing hearing — and 30 plus years in engineering with it's frequent loud working environment.

So thanks for the heads up guys. I'm happy, and I appreciate it.

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1341618 12-Jul-2015 15:34

Good to hear you're happy with the new speaker.