Paradigm's Active series config. questions

[20nickels]

Paradigm's standard passive Studio Reference 20's have been faithfully voicing my stereo for 5 yrs now and I've been contemplating changing over to their Active Studio 20's to more or less simplify things if I can find a pair. In my search I've found that the Active Center Chanel speakers are just as available if not more available than the 20's themselves and at comparable pricing.
So this leads to the question;

Any reason a pair of Active CC's would not work just as good if not better than the 20's on my stands? It seems to have the same power section, just the low end is spread across two mid/woofs instead of one and the tweets would be at the same height as the 20's. My listening chair is at 12-15ft.

What little info I could find on these;

http://www.paradigm.com/en/pdf/reviews/subwoofers/servo15_review_151.pdf

[dguarnaccia]

for 20 years, I was a huge Paradigm fan. I always loved their transparency and detail. It was only until I discoved a few of the ID audio companies and realized I could get better for less. I'd encourage you to check some of them out before just buying back into Paradigm, you'll be glad you did. You can get a whole lot more for your dollar. Remember, Paradigm has to spend a lot of their money on margin to dealers, and advertising. It's worth some listening time with some of the new guys like TCA, and even AV123 and others. They've got some amazing gear for the price.

Other than that, what are you trying to improve? You mentioned you'd like to simplify. What exactly are you looking to simplify? Getting rid of your power amp? What's your listening habits? 2 channel only?

Perhaps give us a better understanding of where you'd like to see improvement or what you're looking to do. There are lots of folks here who have listened a lot more brands than I have, so the more you can tell us the better we can help.

Welcome to the TCA forum :)

[tesseract]

Any reason a pair of Active CC's would not work just as good if not better than the 20's on my stands? It seems to have the same power section, just the low end is spread across two mid/woofs instead of one and the tweets would be at the same height as the 20's. My listening chair is at 12-15ft.

What little info I could find on these;
http://www.paradigm.com/en/pdf/revie...review_151.pdf

If the CC is a true Di'Appolito design, then the speaker would create nulls at the top and bottom (assuming you are using two of them in a vertical array as L/R speakers). This would lessen floor and ceiling reflections, always a good thing.

There is a huge advantage in having the active crossover as we have discussed (20nickels is my brother :rock:). I like the fact that you can high pass at 100hz, taking the low FR burden off the mains. Does the CC filter the lows like the L/R?

for 20 years, I was a huge Paradigm fan. I always loved their transparency and detail. It was only until I discoved a few of the ID audio companies and realized I could get better for less. I'd encourage you to check some of them out before just buying back into Paradigm, you'll be glad you did. You can get a whole lot more for your dollar. Remember, Paradigm has to spend a lot of their money on margin to dealers, and advertising. It's worth some listening time with some of the new guys like TCA, and even AV123 and others. They've got some amazing gear for the price.

ID companies should be given due diligence, although auditioning is difficult and most impressions are gleaned from forums such as this.

[tesseract]

On another note, should I move this to the Audio Gear from Other Companies section? :fryingpan:

Imma let it ride, hoping that this thread will generate useful info for those considering active loudspeakers.

20nickels, how will you power your dual sealed 10" NHT subs?

[20nickels]

my bad

please move to "other audio companies gear". stoopid noobs :shiftyeyes:

Let me address these questions;
dguarnaccia,
The original plan was 2 Hafler XL-280's Bi-amped into floorstanders to replace the Studio 20's, then a monster sub and good preamp. I bought the Haflers (one is now sold) and they have been awesome, but I am going a dif non stereo related direction now with my funds so I don't need 600 watts around to power the Paradigm's. If I make a latteral move right now I can;
Get rid of the passive crossovers and gain the other Active goodies Tesseract mentioned.
Gain auto signal detection On/Off.
Sell my stand and put remaining components in the wall.
Get a much better pre and use this one in my upstairs system where it is sorely needed.

Tesseract,
From what I can tell the active's have all the same electronics, so yes, it can filter lows :jiggy:. I would be using the CC's vertically. So there are benefits if it is a true Di'Appolito design but are there any detractions if it is not? So far I can't see any bad in just getting a coupla Active CC's.

The NHT's are going bye-bye. Although they are tunefull and flat they lack ultimate low end. This open's up for a sub buy or build down the road. I have Paradigm's X-30 crossover so that may help.

[Ajax]

please move to "other audio companies gear". stoopid noobs :shiftyeyes:

No biggie. Happy to be of service. :)

[tesseract]

I see no issue with using the CC's as mains. Call Paradigm and talk with an engineer to get their take on it.

TCA is launching a new line of subs, browse around the forum a bit and read up on it. I am looking at adding a couple of the powered dual 10" (10.2) to my MFW-15.

I am considering moving this thread to the Avatar Hotties Contest just for kicks... :ufo:
That thread needs a bump. :D

[tesseract]

So far I can't see any bad in just getting a coupla Active CC's.

Neither can I, what has Paradigm said about it?

The NHT's are going bye-bye. Although they are tunefull and flat they lack ultimate low end. I have Paradigm's X-30 crossover so that may help.

The CraigSubs will have a 1 band parametric, variable phase and daisy chain capability.