How far up the chain is worth it in a compromised room?

[zeeke42]

Well, it didn't take long; I scored a used LX center and set up all 3 in the living room at the same time. I'm happy I just went straight for the LX. If I had bought the 200 / 340 setup, even if it was 95% as good, I would've always wondered what I was missing.

The LX's sound incredible. My wife and I binged "A Spy Among Friends" across the day I switched over, so it was some good comparison. Dialog is so much clearer and I can really hear nuance of the rooms around it in a way I never could before. I think the center was really the weak point of my old paradigm system. I also watched Arrival, and the bass impact of the LX is just incredible for a bookshelf speaker. My wife commented that she felt the impact in the bedroom above the living room. I'll definitely have to find a way to set some bass rolloff if I watch anything after she's actually trying to sleep.

Given how good thing are already, I decided to just finish off the system. So, an Onkyo TX-7100r from Black Friday sale arrived yesterday, and I placed an order with Ascend for a pair of HTM-200 to replace the surrounds and a Rhythmik L12. I ran a quick Dirac Live cal last night with only a few points and the software is so much nicer than the ancient audyssey I had before. No real comment on the sound yet; only had a little time last night. Once the rest arrives, I'll run a real calibration and dial things in.

I think once that order arrives, this is an endgame setup for me unless I ever have a dedicated room in the future. Thanks to everyone who commented, especially SunByrne for the LX suggestion.

[jambarino]

Well, it didn't take long; I scored a used LX center and set up all 3 in the living room at the same time. I'm happy I just went straight for the LX. If I had bought the 200 / 340 setup, even if it was 95% as good, I would've always wondered what I was missing.

The LX's sound incredible. My wife and I binged "A Spy Among Friends" across the day I switched over, so it was some good comparison. Dialog is so much clearer and I can really hear nuance of the rooms around it in a way I never could before. I think the center was really the weak point of my old paradigm system. I also watched Arrival, and the bass impact of the LX is just incredible for a bookshelf speaker. My wife commented that she felt the impact in the bedroom above the living room. I'll definitely have to find a way to set some bass rolloff if I watch anything after she's actually trying to sleep.

Given how good thing are already, I decided to just finish off the system. So, an Onkyo TX-7100r from Black Friday sale arrived yesterday, and I placed an order with Ascend for a pair of HTM-200 to replace the surrounds and a Rhythmik L12. I ran a quick Dirac Live cal last night with only a few points and the software is so much nicer than the ancient audyssey I had before. No real comment on the sound yet; only had a little time last night. Once the rest arrives, I'll run a real calibration and dial things in.

I think once that order arrives, this is an endgame setup for me unless I ever have a dedicated room in the future. Thanks to everyone who commented, especially SunByrne for the LX suggestion.

That's awesome. I ran a trio of LX's for my front LCR for a few months and even now after upgrading to the ELX Ribbon Towers I still occasionally miss the LX's,they really are great speakers. I wish I would have kept them for a different room.

[racrawford65]

Yeah, it's hard to part with (sell) any of the Ascend speakers. The only one I've sold is an S2 that I was using as a center along with S2's for FL/FR. When I upgraded to Towers, two S2's went to surround duty.

[curtis]

Yeah, it's hard to part with (sell) any of the Ascend speakers. The only one I've sold is an S2 that I was using as a center along with S2's for FL/FR. When I upgraded to Towers, two S2's went to surround duty.

I gave my original S1's to my Parents, as well as some original CBM-170s and CMT-340's. The 340's are actually stored in their garage now, and the rest of the system is almost never used.

I have another pair of original CBM-170s stored in my garage.

[zeeke42]

Just to close off the thread, final system ended up:
Onkyo NR7100 AVR
3x Sierra LX L/C/R
2x HTM-200 surround connected to dynasty wireless amp
Rythmik L12 connected via SVS Soundpath wireless

The system sounds incredible and I think I'll be happy with it for a long time. I see no reason to change anything unless I somehow set up a dedicated room where I can go crazy with atmos etc. The biggest improvements over the old setup are definitely dialog clarity and bass impact. I also notice much improved spatial sense in the surrounds moving from dipoles to monopoles and getting more midbass from the surrounds.

I also notice that we're listening louder. On the old system, we usually set the mv at -30 or so, now it usually ends up at -24ish. At first I thought it was a calibration issue but my son was watching TV in the living room while I was cooking in the kitchen and it was noticeably louder. My theory is that the new system is less harsh at higher levels and has better dynamics, so it's less fatiguing to listen a higher levels. Being able to comfortably turn it up a bit gives a real sense of it being a theater-like experience instead of just watching TV at home.

All in all, I'm very happy I took the 'buy once cry once' approach and can enjoy everything for the next decade without wondering what if.

[racrawford65]

Congrats on the new system.

[davef]

Just to close off the thread, final system ended up:
Onkyo NR7100 AVR
3x Sierra LX L/C/R
2x HTM-200 surround connected to dynasty wireless amp
Rythmik L12 connected via SVS Soundpath wireless

The system sounds incredible and I think I'll be happy with it for a long time. I see no reason to change anything unless I somehow set up a dedicated room where I can go crazy with atmos etc. The biggest improvements over the old setup are definitely dialog clarity and bass impact. I also notice much improved spatial sense in the surrounds moving from dipoles to monopoles and getting more midbass from the surrounds.

I also notice that we're listening louder. On the old system, we usually set the mv at -30 or so, now it usually ends up at -24ish. At first I thought it was a calibration issue but my son was watching TV in the living room while I was cooking in the kitchen and it was noticeably louder. My theory is that the new system is less harsh at higher levels and has better dynamics, so it's less fatiguing to listen a higher levels. Being able to comfortably turn it up a bit gives a real sense of it being a theater-like experience instead of just watching TV at home.

All in all, I'm very happy I took the 'buy once cry once' approach and can enjoy everything for the next decade without wondering what if.

Excellent, very happy to read this.

Enjoy!!!

[Mahawkma]

Curious on how well the Dynasty wireless amp and Soundpath are working. I need a solution to avoid trying to figure out how to run wires to my surrounds and subs. @Dave Any other suggestions from you for a solution?

Thanks!

Hawk

[davef]

Curious on how well the Dynasty wireless amp and Soundpath are working. I need a solution to avoid trying to figure out how to run wires to my surrounds and subs. @Dave Any other suggestions from you for a solution?

Thanks!

Hawk

I am sorry Hawk, I have zero experience with any of these types of wireless systems. Biggest issues would be latency so I never recommend or use them.

[Mahawkma]

Neither do I and I have never used them because of latency but, if the technology has improved and the latency dropped, it would so much easier. . .