I personally don't like the combo of the warm full bodied sound of the Denon with the warm full bodied sound of the monitor 3's!!...That's two warm full bodied sounding compoents = TOO WARM AND FULL BODY SOUNDING!
If you had something like a cooler more neutral sounding yamaha or Marantz receiver, I'd suggest the Paradigms over the Energy's likely. I used to deal in the Paradigms and Energy's both. However, the new Energy C3's are just a bit more forward with more treble pressence, and mate very well with warmer gear like the Denon!!!
I actually like the slight "matter of factness" that the new Energy C1 and C3's offer, especially with warmish sounding gear or even tubes!(that would sound great with those speakers actually). I've actually had the C1's in my system for a short spell, and I liked em for the money. As for base response, they seemed about the same as equivilent Paradigms, and placement is key anyway for proper bass. Infact my fist placement choice where I had my older speakers was too weak and lean in the bass with the C1 Energy's. But I soon found a more ballanced, tighter fuller bass location by experimenting and trial and error.
If it were my money, I'd chose the Engery's over the Pardigms with your receiver. I even prefer the B&W's at the price range to the Paradigms..but that's me, and everyone's different.
If it were my money, and I had your Denon receiver, I wouldn't hesitate to use the C3 Energy's in the right set-up, sure!
Remember however, room set-up and speaker placment is key in the end. Without proper care here, you can forget getting great sound from ANY gear!
Good luck
