Paradigm Founder 90c Center Channel Speaker

In this video I go over some basics of the 90c compared to the Goldenear Super Center Reference speaker. I cover some similarities and some differences between these two magnificent speakers. Thanks for watching.

[@nodoubt1616]

So paradigm just bought Goldenear . I’m excited to see what paradigm does with the Goldenear brand

[@Audiolympian]

Whoa. I hadn’t heard that. Thanks for the notice I’ll definitely look into it

[@davidt8438]

With earphones and through my IPhone, I found the Goldenear to be very clear. Cleaner and much clearer than the Paradigm speaker. I own Paradigm Prestige 95f so I’m not a Paradigm basher, I love them. I have certain hearing loss but whatever frequencies that I’m missing are certainly made up with the sound of the Goldenear. I’ve never heard Goldenear before so I didn’t come into this with any preconceived idea.

[@Audiolympian]

I understand. We are used to hearing what we can hear I believe everyone hears differently. I did compare the two speakers with a preconceived notion being I have 22 goldenear speakers, so I was blown away by how good the paradigm founder speakers are. I wouldn’t say better but just as good in a different way. Thanks for watching

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

Do you like the Prestige speaker? It was not a very good line. The Founder line and even the older Signature line is better.

[@Audiolympian]

@carlosoliveira-rc2xt they were ok. They looked good but were a fussy speaker. They needed really precise set up to peak perform. The Founder series is way better

[@davidt8438]

@ I do like them. I’ve had several people listen and without me saying anything to any of them, they all remarked that they are very clear sounding and with a full sound. When you say they weren’t very good, what don’t you like about them.

[@Audiolympian]

@ well, I was comparing to my tritons. Compared to them they sounded a lot more bass heavy so kinda muffled and not as clear. But the founder line completely changed that

[@howardmenkis5252]

Yup founder rock, get some 120, and you will see and hear even more! I'm getting a pair if 100/80 for side surrounds and another pair of 120/90 for my fronts in my living room system! As well!

[@Audiolympian]

I’ve been really thinking about getting the 120’s lately I might pull the trigger

[@howardmenkis5252]

@@Audiolympian you won't regret it! They look good and sound good as well!

[@Audiolympian]

@@howardmenkis5252 alright, you sold me 😉

[@josephsciortino1404]

Would love to see a video of the 120's with the Founder 90C......That would be an awesome LRC setup. @@Audiolympian

[@Audiolympian]

@@josephsciortino1404 💯. I’ll be working on that this year

[@HPMIKE55]

Great job bro! 😎👍

[@Audiolympian]

Thanks man. As always, appreciate your support 👍

[@Carlos-gc4hb]

Fantastic speakers!

[@Audiolympian]

Yes they are. Thanks for watching

[@avvidme]

How long was the 90C broken in before you did this video? I have the 120H's and it took WEEKS (Not hours) to break in the drivers. I ran 20-40hz into them for a solid day as well. The lower end is night-and-day with Paradigm Founders and Personas pre- and post- break-in.

[@Audiolympian]

I didn’t break them in that long just a couple days. But having listened to it now for over a month it is much more smoother than the first few days. But it sounded great from the start. Thanks for watching

[@Roof_Pizza]

I gotta think that any speaker deserves 100 hours plus before a proper evaluation.

[@Audiolympian]

@@Roof_Pizza oh yeah. Even a month later it sounds better than the my first impression. So I do have a follow up video coming. Thanks for watching

[@chrispmoto]

After MONTHS my 120’s have blown my mind !!!

[@edwinabuel324]

Hi! I liked the sound of your Paradigm speakers. It's tight and clatity of is amazing I'm planning to upgrade just my center channel with the Paradigm 90C.. My speakers is an old Energy Audissey A5+2 bipolar speakers line up from the the late 90's. Im wondering if I do upgrade the center it will still compatible. Currently Im running a 5.2.2 set up. with 2 independent subwoofers which is Rel 1580 Predator Thank in advance for the reply.

[@Audiolympian]

It definitely will be compatible, meaning giving you good projecting sound from your center channel. But you’ll probably notice a difference of sound timbre between the paradigm and your other speakers, depending on what they are. However, if you mostly watch movies and tv it should be very tolerable being 90% of the sound and dialog come from the center. Hope that helps. Thanks for the compliment and for watching. Appreciate it.

[@edwinabuel324]

@@Audiolympian Thank you for your quick response.

[@Audiolympian]

@@edwinabuel324 you’re welcome

[@bkrhino1]

I run the 100F’s / 90C / 40B’s supported by the Anthem AVM70 / MCA225 / MCA525 with the Perlisten D15S & D215S. Endgame for me.

[@Audiolympian]

Whoa 😳 killer system my guy. I bet that sounds outstanding

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

Why did you feel the need to open the box from the bottom?

[@Audiolympian]

@@carlosoliveira-rc2xt I usually open big heavy boxes from the bottom so I can slide the box off instead of trying to pull the heavy item out of the box from the top

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

@@Audiolympian But you could have done that from the top, It's a horizontal center channel. I understand if it was a regular floorstanding speaker.

[@Audiolympian]

@ yeah your right. Just out of habit I guess

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

@Audiolympian Keep up the good work. I look forward to more content.

[@Audiolympian]

@carlosoliveira-rc2xt thanks. Appreciate the support

[@mrwilliamwonder]

I use an 80f for my center in my 100f system

[@Audiolympian]

Nice. That’s a killer set up. Those speakers are magnificent. Thanks for watching

[@jamiesmith8307]

Just ordered the 90c. How are you still liking it?

[@Audiolympian]

Ooooh. You’re gonna love it. I am still amazed how it highlights and exposes ambient sounds, the voicing and dialogue are so lifelike. I’m actually considering on selling my reference center because I’ll likely keep my 90c as my center.

[@Audiolympian]

You might want to spend some time dialing it in, I’m not sure what your room is like. I didn’t have to do much because I have a dedicated room. It sounded good out of the box once I ran arc it became remarkable

[@jamiesmith8307]

@Audiolympian ya I have the 100f and anthem 1140 8k with the anthem 325 so should be all good

[@jamiesmith8307]

@@Audiolympian what anthem do you have?

[@Audiolympian]

@@jamiesmith8307 I have the AVM 70

[@neilhansen3025]

What amp/ pre pro combo are u using for this comparison?

[@Audiolympian]

I have the Anthem AVM70 processor.

[@leatijoseph828]

i watch 80% movies 20% music which is better?? also have you heard the Mk&Sound S-150 LCR?? most people say they have end game HT sounds what do you think?

[@Audiolympian]

@@leatijoseph828 I’d still go with the paradigm. I have heard the M&K center speaker. It sounded good but to me was a bit bright sounding. I think their unique trait is they have the ability to get extremely loud and not distort.

[@leatijoseph828]

@@Audiolympian Golden Ear and Paradigm sounds good , but not the best. I've always had Wherfedale bower's wilkins Polk Klipsch Elac Q Acoustics Focal, KEF R series, Klipsch Thx-6000 in my house, none of them sound as good in movies as Mk&Sound S-150, if you listen to movies, Mk&Sound easily beats all systems)) Mk&Sound, Krix Epicentrix Perlisten End Game setup

[@Audiolympian]

@@leatijoseph828 perhaps. I do believe sound performance has a lot to do with the room and room treatment. Maybe I just didn’t hear those speakers in the best room. In my room, my set up is calibrated with ARC for the best results for me. And everyone is different. Appreciate your insight

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

They are bright.

[@emiranda5079]

I know it’s not “recommended” but in the real world could one use the 90C center mixed with B&W 802 tower speakers? The matching B&W center leaves much to be desired. Voices sound muffled and not clear at all.

[@Audiolympian]

Certainly. I think the only time you’d really notice the difference between the speakers is when sound would travel across the front stage like a car or plane passing from left to right. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching

[@JBSCHAFFNER]

The best center channel speakers are concentric based. Elac Unifi 2 is what I prefer. The on axis dispersion range for concentric centers just can’t be touched.

[@Audiolympian]

I do like my Elac center speaker. I have the unifi center. It does sound very good. Thanks for watching

[@candoslayer]

I am trying to compare this to the Kef R6 Meta

[@Audiolympian]

A good speaker to compare with. Kef have top notch designs. Personally I prefer to try to get more bang for my buck. The GE and paradigm have more speakers in the cabinets than the Kef. Hope that helps a little.

[@candoslayer]

I am looking at imaging my sides are kef r700 and blending well the r700's are very neutral and revealing

[@Audiolympian]

@candoslayer for imaging and soundstage it’s always good to stay with matching brands

[@candoslayer]

I have been thinking of moving to Paradigm founder all arround but also considering sticking with Kef R it makes more sence financially. And no where locally stocks high end like that so I can't hear the founders before buying.

[@Audiolympian]

@@candoslayer that is a dilemma. I get that about saving money by staying with kef. I will say this about the founders, they deliver a more full sound because of the size of the cones. And the tweeter is very smooth.

[@mrman7453]

You are all over the place .

[@Audiolympian]

Haha. I do go on tangents. Hopefully it’s not too distracting. Thanks for watching

[@mayssebmasenya9132]

Nice review and comparison. The Goldenear sounds like a good speaker, considering the price difference. It’d be interesting to hear your update after a longer term use. Nicely done.

[@Audiolympian]

Thank you. Yeah I’m looking forward to hear more differences. Thanks for watching

[@TonyZ1717]

You keeping the Paradigm doesn’t have anything to do with let’s say the Founder L & R in your collection for timbre matching right ?? Lol

[@Audiolympian]

Haha. No, not at all. I have been working on my latest video in which I moved my tritons back in my theater for sound comparison. Keep an eye out for that vid. Thanks for watching

[@francispachecoiii4189]

The Goldenear XXL center sounds louder than the paradigm. .. and I'm not just saying that because I'm a golden ear fan.

[@Audiolympian]

Interesting. Oh believe me I have 22 goldenear speakers I love them. It pained me to say the paradigm sounded better but the GE did have sweeter highs maybe that’s what your hearing. Thanks for watching

[@tomdonoghue3481]

Review needs to be be more focused on primary topic. It was 8 mins. before getting to the speaker details! I don't have the tolerance to wait that long (nor do most) to get to subject matter. Brevity will get you far.

[@Audiolympian]

@@tomdonoghue3481 appreciate your insight. Thanks for watching and tolerating what you did.

[@darrenreed883]

Goldenear is much crisper. The highs certainly much better the Paradigm. The paradigm sounds much flatter, not as dynamic

[@Audiolympian]

You’re right. But in person the Paradigm is not as dynamic but is has a richness and full body sound that is fantastic. In about another month I’ll switch back to my Goldenear and get a taste of those highs again. Thanks for watching