Paradigm Cinema 100 Review (home theater speakers)

[slipchuck]

Has anyone ever actually listened to these? With my NAD t758v3i and 7 of these speakers it really does blow away other bigger speakers

 

[slipchuck]

Has anyone ever actually listened to these? With my NAD t758v3i and 7 of these speakers it really does blow away other bigger speakers

Also, why review if you don't have the full system? Anyone should know small speakers like this need a subwoofer

 

[AdamG]

Un huh….

 

[YSC]

Also, why review if you don't have the full system? Anyone should know small speakers like this need a subwoofer

Well… if you did read into the science it’s not about the lack of bass where a sub would help, but the highs are way above the desired neutrality on axis. So this thing won’t sound less harsh with a sub

 

[krabapple]

Easily fixed with EQ.

Meanwhile bass accounts for 30% of listeners' preferences. These speakers can be bought without one, but they are clearly 'meant' to work best with a sub.

 

[SimpleTheater]

When reviewers who never outrightly say anything bad, unlike ASR, it’s important to read between the lines. When one of them say “…they are at the top of my list for a secondary TV and light music system.” you run away as fast as possible.

Paradigm Cinema 100CT 5.1 Speaker System - HomeTheaterHifi.com

Ok, I'll admit it. I was not expecting much from this diminutive 5.1 budget speaker system that arrived at my house in a single box. The entire system fits inside the shipping box for my reference subwoofer (MartinLogan Descent i). Granted it is massive and costs more than three of these 5.1...

hometheaterhifi.com

 

[krabapple]

Even if you are looking for "a secondary TV and light music system"?

Have you thought this reflex response through?

 

[slipchuck]

Well… if you did read into the science it’s not about the lack of bass where a sub would help, but the highs are way above the desired neutrality on axis. So this thing won’t sound less harsh with a sub

These speakers are made to have a sub. Measuring without the sub is like only measuring half a full frequency tower.
Dirac tames the highs and balances the system out very well

 

[bobitto]

Would be good to use two of them as surrounds along with Paradigm Monitor. Tweeter is not the same but close. What do you think? Size is great for my needs

 

[attaboy]

Has anyone ever actually listened to these? With my NAD t758v3i and 7 of these speakers it really does blow away other bigger speakers

I own them too and enjoy the sound. I appreciate the flexibility of the size and design to wall-mount or sit on a shelf. I probably prefer slightly exaggerated highs with my middle-age ears but they sound quite good with the sub for movies. I have my AVR crossover frequency set to 120 Hz, and same on the sub, which has its own cutoff setting.

I’m probably missing a little bit in the low-mid-range, but it’s not bad at all. If I could change anything though, I’d swap out at least the center speaker for something with a bit more low-end response.

(I probably paid about CAD $600 for these many years ago, BTW.)

 

[krabapple]

The center probably needs low end response the least, if the system is only for movies.

 

[YSC]

I own them too and enjoy the sound. I appreciate the flexibility of the size and design to wall-mount or sit on a shelf. I probably prefer slightly exaggerated highs with my middle-age ears but they sound quite good with the sub for movies. I have my AVR crossover frequency set to 120 Hz, and same on the sub, which has its own cutoff setting.

I’m probably missing a little bit in the low-mid-range, but it’s not bad at all. If I could change anything though, I’d swap out at least the center speaker for something with a bit more low-end response.

actually ignoring the top end shelf, it actually is quite flat, and with age likely it don't matter to most of it's customer base anyway