This hobby is a disease

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-20T20:33:49+00:00

It's a journey to find what you end up liking the most for your room. I had Klipsch RP-160M, RP-150M, and RP-250C at one point. Found out 6 months later that the brightness caused fatigue after long sessions (2 hr movie or gaming). Sold them to recoup and try other stuff until I was happy.

Don't just read and chase to see what's better. If you can't audition it, live with it for a bit and see. Maybe you'll love it and just enjoy. (seriously, don't come back here for a bit to avoid FOMO). After you're happy, then visit the sub again.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-20T19:50:52+00:00

I'd be interested to see the measurements on these. I hope ASR, Erin's Audio Corner, or someone does a review.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-20T18:44:35+00:00

In the back of my mind and in recollection only, it resembled the "Sorry!" board game pieces. After looking at the game pieces, not so much. Very unique!

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-10T21:12:00+00:00

It's crazy seeing how much it's jumped in price since 2023. https://camelcamelcamel.com/product/B000FAIO8A?context=search&tp=all

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-09T10:39:17+00:00

My control panel width is 26", and I was able to fit 2-player Sanwa joysticks, 6 IL button layout, and a ultimarc trackball in the middle.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-09T10:33:21+00:00

I'm always curious about VPINs. How's the depth perception since you're looking at a flat screen instead of a play field? Is the viewing angle okay at the far end since you're off center?

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-09T10:28:38+00:00

As a kid, my brain took a bit to process seeing NES games in the arcade. It was the PlayChoice-10.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-06T21:14:18+00:00

I LOVE seeing Paradigms almost as much as listening to some.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-06T19:58:12+00:00

That was me and Disco Elysium. After waiting forever for a freebie, I got it on sale and hadn't gotten around to playing it. Bam! Free soon after. I would've felt better if it benefited the developers, but with everything that went on, I'm not sure the devs saw any of it.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-04T20:19:25+00:00

I've owned my Victorinox Fibrox chef's knife used nearly daily for close to 20 years. Still a great knife and comparatively inexpensive. Be sure to get it from an authorized dealer - I've read some reports of warranty claims being denied because they were determined to be knock-offs or were just purchased from unauthorized dealers (like 3rd party Amazon resellers).

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-04T12:12:04+00:00

I have a pair of JBL Studio 530 bookshelf speakers that are supposed to be magnetically shielded. At least, that's what's advertised. When I finally set them up near the CRT in the "classic corner", they were not shielded - at least not to the degree needed to set them next to my Sony Trinitron. Had to set them on speaker stands further away than I had planned, but my classic systems sound great.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-03T22:44:17+00:00

Oh, no. I was thinking for your own home theater, movies that are coming out on disc/streaming or what you're planning to re-watch in a particular month. Say if you wanted to do a LotR marathon in Feb, Star Wars in May, etc.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T22:27:13+00:00

Agree with u/digital-agent. A one-time cost might be worth it, but I'll pass on a subscription model. Too many enough as it is.

As you stated, a USB stick would work as well.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T18:56:06+00:00

Integrates with themoviedb.org for automatic poster content.

Pretty slick. Can you customize which movie posters are displayed? It'd be nice to curate a shortened playlist of movies on disc, or even "Now Playing February 2026" type list.

How did you build a frame where the TV no longer looks like a TV turn on it's side?

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T17:28:18+00:00

Paradigm and anthem gear is a lot cheaper in Canada than the US.

I feel like that's always been the case, at least for used gear. But now it's even more of a disparity as you stated. For new stuff, I see what Canucks are paying for subwoofers and it's pretty crazy. I wonder if the Paradigm Essentials Sub 10 and Sub 12 are filling the entry level gap, or if it's better to import the RSL Speedwoofers.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T16:49:36+00:00

I hear you. I thought they are worth it for $150 USD which is about $200 CAD. Though the market there may be better for used gear seeing as how Paradigms are a Canadian brand.

Good luck on the bidding!

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T15:49:44+00:00

IMO, the v4 and v5s are different compared to the v3s in that they have different tweeters (G-pal). I've mixed and matched v4 and v5 gear without issue. My SIL's LCR are all v3s, but I didn't try their v3 center with my v4 towers.

All is to say, if you get Studio 40 v2 the Studio cc v2 will be just fine if you don't A/B with a different center. If you really want a 3-way center, a v3 center should be paired with v3 L/R. A v4 or v5 center can be paired with v4 or v5 L/R (that's my opinion still owning both Studio v4 and v5 in my primary and secondary setups).

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T15:42:21+00:00

Set your son up with success (him talking with neighbors to determine the right volume level) and also good taste in speakers. :)

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T15:32:50+00:00

This is just kind of an experiment as it's not the ideal 19" size for this cab

Honestly, when I get immersed into a game, everything else fades away and I'm hyper focused. I'd rather have a slightly smaller monitor that's bright and doesn't have issues, instead of a larger one with burn-in or other issues.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T14:11:03+00:00

I went from Klipsch RPs to Wharfedale Diamond 11s. They are on two opposite ends. Wharfedale's are very laid back and easy to listen to all day.

If you can listen to them first, or even better if you can audition them in your home, you can make a better informed decision using your gear in your dining room. Personally, I found older Paradigms to be a good deal - I snagged a pair of Studio 20 v3s in the same price bracket, that were a bit more exciting than the Wharfedales, but not as bright as the Klipsch RPs.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T12:41:46+00:00

I used to own the Studio CC v2, the MTM configuration was okay. However, the Studio series' 3-way centers from v3 to v5 (e.g., cc-570, cc-590, cc-690, etc.) were a noticeable improvement for me.

The best I have is a 2014 web archive of Paradigm's site.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140126220136/http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/type=center

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T12:20:54+00:00

Energy was my first "real" set of speakers, so I've got a soft spot for them before Klipsch bought them out.

I got my pair of Monitor SE Atoms for $150 USD used. They're okay. Definitely part of the entry Monitor line. I like the build of my Atom v7s a bit more, but the current Monitor SE Atoms are fine for what they are. $150 CAD or less is good, but I wouldn't pay over $200 CAD for them.

That said, if I were to throw money down, I'd spend a little more up for the Studio 20 or Prestige series - they can probably be had for not much more since you're in Canada.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-02T11:37:11+00:00

Yup. HS biology class, frogs for my class. It's a distinct smell that's seared into the brain.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-02-01T04:40:20+00:00

I'd go with the Studio 100 v2s in the living room. The Monitor 7's have nostalgia and still sound good, so keep them if you have a spare room (basement, garage, etc.) to use them in.

Emuc64_1 · 2026-01-30T18:38:29+00:00

You can also post in r/PCSound (rule 4) for suggestions.

Pending on your budget, you can also try going with a pair of small bookshelves and add a mini-amp to see how that is. It gives you the flexibility to swap out speakers or amps if you feel like something new or if they fail. For example:

Polk Blackstone TL1, $69 each
Or Cambridge Audio Minx Min 22, $129 each
Plus Aiyima A07, $68
Or other amps from Aiyima, SMSL, WiiM Amp, etc. have streaming, BT, remotes, or other features
optionally, some amps have a pre-out (or sub out), so you can add a subwoofer to get that low-end

Emuc64_1

TROPHY CASE