Post by jimbailey on Apr 26, 2009 8:23:44 GMT -5
Just replaced a Paradigm CC-570 with the 6.3 in our media room as a center channel. I'm driving it with one channel of an XPA-5. I've blown three tweeters in two different Paradigm centers (two in the last one) trying to balance the sound with my Carver Amazing Speaker mains. The Carvers are line source speakers spec'd at 18Hz-22kHz (+-3dB). I'm using a Rat Shack analog SPL meter to balance the system since my 10-year old Marantz 8003 pre/pro doesn't have any auto setup or parametric EQ to play with.
The Paradigms always sounded too bright with pink noise at the same metered level as the Carvers. They have no way to adjust their EQ.
I'm pleased to say that the ERM-6.3 has almost the same sonic signature as the Carvers and has made a huge difference in the uniformity of the sound stage in front. I'm running it with the default switch settings except that to my ears the match is slightly better with the tweeter extension switch set to "high." (Not sure that at my age I'm hearing much up there, but the sound with pink noise seems closer to what I'm hearing all around—including the ERD-1 surrounds.)
I listened to the CD version of Dave Grusin's "Discovered again" which is a very high quality transfer from the original Shefield Labs direct-to-disk audiophile recording. I am thoroughly familiar with this album. It's been my go-to system comparison source for many years. I tried it in mono to just the ERM-6.3 and my Paradigm servo sub. The 6.3 is a very compliant and neutral speaker. It does need the sub (as advertised) below 80-90Hz. This recording has several acoustic bass solos (Ron Carter) with quite a low bottom. The 6.3 transitioned very smoothly with the sub using the 80Hz crossover of the Marantz.
The flick "The Dark Knight" sounded wonderful up front with none of the harshness of my previous Paradigm centers. Plenty of dynamics at movie listening levels. I'm sure the speaker has a way to go to be fully broken in, but so far the sound is exemplary.
Oh yeah, Fed-Ex has to travel 100 miles to deliver here and had to make two trips on different days to catch me at home. The delivery gal had popped the tape on the outer box moving it around, but due to the superb packing and intact inner box, the speaker was immaculate. One quibble: the finish is lovely, but a bit more reflective than I would like positioned just under my 106" screen. I previously had covered my Paradigm in black velvet to reduce reflections. Not sure I need to go that route here, but the reflections are more noticable with the 6.3.
It's a keeper for sure...
The Paradigms always sounded too bright with pink noise at the same metered level as the Carvers. They have no way to adjust their EQ.
I'm pleased to say that the ERM-6.3 has almost the same sonic signature as the Carvers and has made a huge difference in the uniformity of the sound stage in front. I'm running it with the default switch settings except that to my ears the match is slightly better with the tweeter extension switch set to "high." (Not sure that at my age I'm hearing much up there, but the sound with pink noise seems closer to what I'm hearing all around—including the ERD-1 surrounds.)
I listened to the CD version of Dave Grusin's "Discovered again" which is a very high quality transfer from the original Shefield Labs direct-to-disk audiophile recording. I am thoroughly familiar with this album. It's been my go-to system comparison source for many years. I tried it in mono to just the ERM-6.3 and my Paradigm servo sub. The 6.3 is a very compliant and neutral speaker. It does need the sub (as advertised) below 80-90Hz. This recording has several acoustic bass solos (Ron Carter) with quite a low bottom. The 6.3 transitioned very smoothly with the sub using the 80Hz crossover of the Marantz.
The flick "The Dark Knight" sounded wonderful up front with none of the harshness of my previous Paradigm centers. Plenty of dynamics at movie listening levels. I'm sure the speaker has a way to go to be fully broken in, but so far the sound is exemplary.
Oh yeah, Fed-Ex has to travel 100 miles to deliver here and had to make two trips on different days to catch me at home. The delivery gal had popped the tape on the outer box moving it around, but due to the superb packing and intact inner box, the speaker was immaculate. One quibble: the finish is lovely, but a bit more reflective than I would like positioned just under my 106" screen. I previously had covered my Paradigm in black velvet to reduce reflections. Not sure I need to go that route here, but the reflections are more noticable with the 6.3.
It's a keeper for sure...
