Basic general knowledge

concealer404

Now... being that i'm a noob to all this outside of basic crossover rebuilds with stock values, this may be an incredibly stupid question.

I've started to get a bug in my **** about maybe modding my Paradigm Esprits. They don't owe me any money, and they're on the verge of being replaced anyways, so i'd like to finally cut my teeth on this stuff.

I love the bass. I love the highs. I LIKE the midrange, but it's not as full as i would like.

How do i fix it?

1) Is there basic tweaks that i can do without getting into the electronics portion of things?

2) If the answer to 1 is a "no," could someone give me a general run down of what would typically be needed to shape a sound like that in terms of a crossover? (i assume...)


If these are dumb questions and totally out of whack, just say so, by saying "Terrible Karma, you're whack!"

kawizx9r

I think you should just try a different pair of speakers.

Every brand and model within that brand has its strengths and weaknesses.

My pair has excellent highs/midrange, none of that 'boxy' sound, and image very well but they have very weak bass. I'd either have to replace them with an even bigger pair of Maggies, add a sub or look at something else altogether.

I'd say get your ears on something else if and when you can

concealer404

Yeah, i'm on the lookout for some Paradigm Monitor 7s or higher. A nice set of 11ses would be perfectly ok. Or Mirage. Or LS90s. Or RTA11TLs.

I just feel like tinkering.

You have two hours left to call me, sir. Charge that phone!

kawizx9r

concealer404 wrote: »

Yeah, i'm on the lookout for some Paradigm Monitor 7s or higher. A nice set of 11ses would be perfectly ok. Or Mirage. Or LS90s. Or RTA11TLs.

I just feel like tinkering.

You have two hours left to call me, sir. Charge that phone!

It's charging it's charging! lol

I took awhile looking for the charger, and when I did plug it in and fire it up Chris (cstmar1) called me.

I'm giving it a bit longer, but so far on my end nothings changed.

I think you should check out www.magnepan.com and try out a pair of MMG's

concealer404

I can't fit MMGs in here... and honestly, they don't really appeal to me. I'm really pretty limited to tower speakers, and not the refridgerator shaped kind.

kawizx9r

concealer404 wrote: »

I can't fit MMGs in here... and honestly, they don't really appeal to me. I'm really pretty limited to tower speakers, and not the refridgerator shaped kind.

Lol

The MMG's are smaller than my MG-1B's, how much space do you have to work with?

It's really the only reason why I considered selling my own pair. I personally don't think my speakers are too big, I just think my rooms too small

Edit:
MMG's dimensions are - 14.5 x 48 x 1.25
MG-1B's are - 22 x 60 x 2!

concealer404

I could cram something like Monitor 10s in here if i HAD to, but i'm a little limited in side to side space. I also don't think i could get my seating far enough away from the MMGs to get an effective listening field. I think you'll understand when you get here. The few people that knew what they were listening to when they've been here have been totally aghast at this craptastic room. It's been a long battle to tweak everything to even get where i am now, and it sucks.

megasat16

concealer404 wrote: »

Now... being that i'm a noob to all this outside of basic crossover rebuilds with stock values, this may be an incredibly stupid question.

I've started to get a bug in my **** about maybe modding my Paradigm Esprits. They don't owe me any money, and they're on the verge of being replaced anyways, so i'd like to finally cut my teeth on this stuff.

I love the bass. I love the highs. I LIKE the midrange, but it's not as full as i would like.

How do i fix it?

1) Is there basic tweaks that i can do without getting into the electronics portion of things?

2) If the answer to 1 is a "no," could someone give me a general run down of what would typically be needed to shape a sound like that in terms of a crossover? (i assume...)


If these are dumb questions and totally out of whack, just say so, by saying "Terrible Karma, you're whack!"

It's easy, get a Tube amp or preamp if your lacking in midrange department.

The XO improvements can improve imaging and resolution of that speaker too but there are limitations.

kcoc321

concealer404 wrote: »

Yeah, i'm on the lookout for some Paradigm Monitor 7s or higher. ....

Here are some Paradigm 7's close to you...for $175....sounds like a good deal.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1494818442.html



19miles too...
http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#5872/style=auto&lat=39.858709&lon=-86.206067&z=10&pid=5874/5003/0.5040=rtp:pos.39.7669102996588_-86.149964556098_Indianapolis,+IN~pos.39.950232_-86.262169_Zionsville,+IN:rtop:0~0&1.6002=q:allentown,+pa:lat:47.9628892074885:long:-122.200996399&o=&a=0:1

concealer404

kcoc321 wrote: »

Here are some Paradigm 7's close to you...for $175....sounds like a good deal.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1494818442.html



19miles too...
http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#5872/style=auto&lat=39.858709&lon=-86.206067&z=10&pid=5874/5003/0.5040=rtp:pos.39.7669102996588_-86.149964556098_Indianapolis,+IN~pos.39.950232_-86.262169_Zionsville,+IN:rtop:0~0&1.6002=q:allentown,+pa:lat:47.9628892074885:long:-122.200996399&o=&a=0:1

That seller is flaky, we've gone in and out of contact about those speakers multiple times over the last 4 months that they've been up on craigslist.

And i'd rather have the newer style that's a true floorstander, no stand necessary. But i appreciate the look-see.

megasat16 wrote:

It's easy, get a Tube amp or preamp if your lacking in midrange department.

The XO improvements can improve imaging and resolution of that speaker too but there are limitations.

Hrmm... well. I think Freddy is bringing over both of those things tomorrow, let's see what it does. I guess i'd just like my midrange to be pronounced more than it is now. What's there, sounds great. I just want more.

kcoc321

concealer404 wrote: »

That seller is flaky, we've gone in and out of contact about those speakers multiple times over the last 4 months that they've been up on craigslist.

That sucks....whadda 'flake' on CL...go figure :eek:

kawizx9r

Ben, in case you see this before tomorrow morning I'll be taking my tubed pre and amp instead of my player. Funny thing is, I thought you texted me and so I responded thinking it was you but it was someone else lol.

Anyway, we'll see if we can take care of your 'midrange' problem

concealer404

Arg. Well, my system today made a complete 180.

Swapping in Freddy's Moscode didn't make a whole lot of difference, except for actually lose some soundstage and imaging, and taming my highs a bit. Which would have been good, but they didn't need taming.

Then, we put his Music Angel in the mix. HOLY CRAP.

Yeah, i got my midrange.

I think i'm going to end up with a tubed source and see what that does for me. I'm unwilling to give up my preamp at this point.

Also worth mentioning that my speakers are now finally spiked and i've got some real speaker cable in the mix, too.

kcoc321

hey some guy has some Para 7se mkII for $120 askin price..

Any good?

Glad you got your mids back...even if it was only for a day

It least you found em... ;p

How about one of the Tube buffer jobbies? At some pt I am gunna try one and for a couple $$$ it seems like it..plus I can use it for both CD & TT (a different times of course)

megasat16

concealer404 wrote: »

Arg. Well, my system today made a complete 180.

Swapping in Freddy's Moscode didn't make a whole lot of difference, except for actually lose some soundstage and imaging, and taming my highs a bit. Which would have been good, but they didn't need taming.

Then, we put his Music Angel in the mix. HOLY CRAP.

Yeah, i got my midrange.

I think i'm going to end up with a tubed source and see what that does for me. I'm unwilling to give up my preamp at this point.

Also worth mentioning that my speakers are now finally spiked and i've got some real speaker cable in the mix, too.

It's been a known fact that Bass coming from some (most) tube Amps is lesser to most of the Solid State Amps considering all things are equal (i.e. Power Ratings, Frequency Response, etc.) I think it's a wise decision to get a Tube Pre and Try rolling some tubes.

But Tube Rules Guys, don't get too happy and laughing since I said Tubes. I don't need a light bulb in my Sand Rigs to shine. I am still 100% Sand Man.

kawizx9r

Hehe, glad you liked the tubed pre Ben.

So, let us know how that tube buffer checks out. And if you go a different way about things, would like to hear your thoughts on that as well!

concealer404

kcoc321 wrote: »

hey some guy has some Para 7se mkII for $120 askin price..

Any good?

Glad you got your mids back...even if it was only for a day

It least you found em... ;p

How about one of the Tube buffer jobbies? At some pt I am gunna try one and for a couple $$$ it seems like it..plus I can use it for both CD & TT (a different times of course)

Yeah that's a good price.

I have a tube buffer on the way, a Yaqin CD-2.

kcoc321

hmmm, have you heard the 7se mkII's?
How are they? Also, where can I check the specs on the drivers? As in what MW & tweeter it 'should have'? I guess I'll just email Parasound CS and see how long it takes to answer me....
That's one thing I feel comfortable about buying Polk stuff from CL guys...I can check and make sure it has the 'right' components in it...Learned that one that one the hard way, after buying some 7c's that had one MW6501 in it...still need to get another MW6502 for that one.

Curious that you have a tube buffer in and yet it didn't make that big of differen did, but not enough? Or maybe it is where do you have it in the circuit? Guess I just maybe expecting too much from reading the right up on tube buffers that "inspired"(?) did.....

concealer404

kcoc321 wrote: »

hmmm, have you heard the 7se mkII's?
How are they? Also, where can I check the specs on the drivers? As in what MW & tweeter it 'should have'? I guess I'll just email Parasound CS and see how long it takes to answer me....
That's one thing I feel comfortable about buying Polk stuff from CL guys...I can check and make sure it has the 'right' components in it...Learned that one that one the hard way, after buying some 7c's that had one MW6501 in it...still need to get another MW6502 for that one.

Curious that you have a tube buffer in and yet it didn't make that big of differen did, but not enough? Or maybe it is where do you have it in the circuit? Guess I just maybe expecting too much from reading the right up on tube buffers that "inspired"(?) did.....

Lol, you're going a bit ahead of me. The buffer isn't here yet. I had the Indeed Tube Buffer in this setup before, but everything wasn't tweaked well yet, was running monster wire, and the speakers weren't spiked. I think going to a higher quality buffer coupled with how well the rest of the rig is working right now might get me what i'm looking for.

I've heard the 7se MKiis. They're pretty nice. Very sweet sounding speaker, laid back and maybe sound a little sterile, but throw some power to them, and they react VERY well. Keep in mind that they're actually a big bookshelf in that revision, and you'll need some stands to get them where they need to be.

As for the drivers, Paradigm tends to not release their specs. But it's pretty easy to see if they've been replaced or not. They're pretty distinctive looking drivers.