AVR + Fronts and Center for ~ $600?

[CDailey]

It's high time I upgrade my audio setup for my "home theater." I'm looking to spend around $600. I want a decent AVR, good fronts and a good center channel. I live in an apartment, so a subwoofer is kind of a no-go. The front speakers I'm looking at are Paradigm Atoms. I've read they are a pretty awesome deal at only $250/pair. I'm lost on center channels and AVRs though. As far as video connections go, my Xbox 360, blu ray player, and TV are all connected via HDMI, so I don't need eleventybillion ports. Can anyone recommend anything to me? Are there any other fronts anyone can recommend? Thanks for any input.

 

[Dracwolley]

I haven't tried many AVRs, but the best of the ones I have tried is a Sony. Pumps out loads of great sound and was supposedly quite cheap as well. Also, you could simply use the audio out port(s) on your TV and run an optical audio cable to the AVR and just use one input instead of taking up all of them and switching inputs constantly... I don't know if you were already planning on doing this but it wasn't clear by your post. Not saying it should have been because that wasn't what you were talking about in the first place... but anyway!

Paradigm = ! Best speakers around. I'm currently using a pair of 20 year old 9SE Mk IIs and they are by far the best speakers I have ever seen (heard?) in someone's home sound system. I'd actually recommend getting a used pair of Mk IIs or Mk IIIs, as you can get them for the same price or even slightly less and they are simply the best. Their price to performance ratio is amazing. In order to get much better you'd probably be spending thousands more. Also, the benefits of having the 9SEs is that the bass isn't overpowering but it's definitely got presence. No need for a subwoofer, and plus they're off the ground so when the bass does kick in (and it really does with these) it's not going to be terrifying for the neighbors.

As for centers, the obvious choice is Paradigm as well to get that signature sound quality, but that might kick you beyond $600. Probably a cheap but reliable company, like Sony, Samsung or Yamaha, and you won't need anything too substantial.

TL;DR
AVR: Sony
FR: perhaps used Paradigm 9SEs, Mk II or Mk III
Center: something cheap, but from a well-known company

 

[TB]

FR: perhaps used Paradigm 9SEs, Mk II or Mk III
Center: something cheap, but from a well-known company

I'm not a fan of mis-matched speakers. If you're going to buy Paradigm for the left and right channel, you should stick with Paradigm for the center, also. Problem being, in looking around for prices, you're going to put you right up to your $600 with even the least expensive (current) Paradigm center (CC-190) and you still don't have the receiver yet.

If you have your heart set on Paradigms, I'd suggest you buy the gear in steps - left and right first, followed by the receiver (so you can at least start using them) and follow with the center when you have the cash. Either that or you'll have to downgrade the speakers and maybe upgrade in a few years.

 

[Dracwolley]

I'm not a fan of mis-matched speakers. If you're going to buy Paradigm for the left and right channel, you should stick with Paradigm for the center, also. Problem being, in looking around for prices, you're going to put you right up to your $600 with even the least expensive (current) Paradigm center (CC-190) and you still don't have the receiver yet.

I had actually written a paragraph on this because of Paradigm's /different/ tweeter design, but when I thought of his budget again, I realised it wouldn't be possible so I left that out. I agree with you 100%.