Monitor Audio Gold C350 or Paradigm Studio CC690

[pullo]

Hi guys! Hope you are all doing well.

I will greatly appreciate your advice on which center channel will be a better option.

I will be buying either of these center channels in the used market. 

My set up is Monitor Audio Silver 300 V6 as L/R, Monitor Audio Bronze 100 as surrounds and Monitor Audio Apex 10 as heights. I know that I should be the MA as my whole set is MA, but I am just looking for the speaker that will give an awesome sound and cover a lot of the frequencies as the center is the most important speaker of a system for HT.

Patiently awaiting your response.

Fernando

[novisnick]

Jul 27, 2022 14:51:32 GMT -5 pullo said:

Hi guys! Hope you are all doing well.

I will greatly appreciate your advice on which center channel will be a better option.

I will be buying either of these center channels in the used market. 

My set up is Monitor Audio Silver 300 V6 as L/R, Monitor Audio Bronze 100 as surrounds and Monitor Audio Apex 10 as heights. I know that I should be the MA as my whole set is MA, but I am just looking for the speaker that will give an awesome sound and cover a lot of the frequencies as the center is the most important speaker of a system for HT.

Patiently awaiting your response.

Fernando

I own and have enjoyed the dynamic delivery of music, sound and speech. It’s the best center channel I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned more. That said, I’d go that route if the Monitor C350 only if,,,,,,,,, never mind! Just checked it out. If you have an opportunity to snag a CC690, do it. You’ll be extremely happy.

[AudioHTIT]

I’ve never heard either, but would always strongly lean toward keeping the voicing of your speakers the same (in this case Monitor Audio). While centers are generally used for dialog, they are increasingly being used for effects, and surround for music. No matter how good it was, having this critical speaker putting its unique voiceprint on your system would bother me.

[housetech]

I've own Monitor Audio speakers since 1999, Silver & Gold line- they are quality speakers. I liked the Silver 300 when they came out.
The Gold C350 is a ribbon tweeter and you have C-CAM dome tweeters in Silver 300. I'd look for the Silver C350 for tonal uniformity. You could use older M.A. Gold without the ribbon tweeters and get close to the Silvers.
Just a warning, M.A. speakers are very revealing of low quality electronics and you will hear it; a quality system is a must AND some electronic brands will make M.A. highs sound sharp. They are not Klipsch, Polk or other mid-Fi speakers with soft domes. I would not use a class D amp with those speakers- class AB only.
I have also found some DACs don't match well (if you're critical). I like Burr-Brown DACs with them.

[pullo]

I know the Paradigm CC690 has a dedicated Midrange and 2 7 1/2 MId/bass Driver while the MA Gold C350 has a dedicated Midrange and then 2 woofers. Being that that Paradigm has 2 mid/bass drivers compared to the MA will I be missing any sounds?

Patiently awaiting

[housetech]

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