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I expected more from my speakers (not high end)

20+ years ago, I bought a system for music but probably more for blasting home theater. It sounded great for Saving Private Ryan. Well, Ive grown up and would like to get back to listening to music, preferably with reasonable sound quality. I dismissed the old Denon receiver, picked up an NAD c368 with an old bluray player for cds (I since bought a better player). My speakers which I always thought would be adequate are Paradigm Monitor 7 v1 and a 15' Velodyne sub. Im not impressed. Everything sounds kindof compressed although I think the sub blends in nicely. I know its all subjective but would a modest upgrade in speakers (say less that 2K) have the potential for significant improvement? I guess I could try to sell the Paradigms (although I am a little emotionally attached) - I have original packaging after all these years. The only part of the system that Im confident is adequate (other than the new amp) are the massive Tara Labs biwires. Ok starting to ramble. Id appreciate any thoughts. Thanks
johngaltwho
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
K what's up? Not your normal helpful self.  No need to be a knot head.. What will help the guy?

Excuse me OP, playin' mother hen again.. Cluck cluck, gotta keep the little peepers in line, when they act all Rooster Like.. LOL

I like planars.. I bought VMPS RM30s all tricked out for 1400.00 dollars..
Zowee.. They will get your attention and keep it.. The prices on planars speakers is just going UP.. I can’t think of a more dynamic and transparent design.. Extremely fast...Extraordinarily accurate and darn near bullet proof.. They can fill a good size room or work in a pretty small one with no problems.. IF YOU CAN FIND them.. There a LOT of them out there though.. Folks just don’t like to sell them.. They are very hard to beat.. With a little tinkering.. BIG dollars to even get close..

More importantly with just a so so pre amp and amp.. they are better than most speakers with twice the gear.. They are real gear friendly...Big watts or little watts.. they like um.. Oscillating watts,, NO NO NO..

What about Tekton they have something in the 2K range?

Clean them ears too.. take care of that throat.. Enjoy..

Regards
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Either Tekton if you want new, or the Planetarium if you're willing to try used. Either way you want to stick with high efficiency (absolute minimum 92dB, and preferably 95+) in order to get the sound you want from the amp you have.

Either way, huge improvement over what you have now.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,150 posts
 
The troll under the bridge scares away yet one more weary traveler. 
erik_squires
16,118 posts
 
Poor room acoustics matter a great deal.  Harshness and compression can be symptoms.  Before you go on a speaker merry go round I'd suggest you examine your room.

Two experiments to try, which are free.  1 - Sit 2-3' away from your main speakers.  This will show you what they sound like with less of the room interacting. 

Next, try using pillows, rugs and blankets around the room to see how better acoustics may improve your sound field.

Best,
E
winoguy17
1,124 posts
 
 Might want to ditch the blu ray player and get a dedicated CD player also. Video disc players not really optimized for audio.
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