I love the JL Audio subs especially the Gothem. I actually heard it at Definitive Audio. At first I thought the seats were on a Dbox but it turns out it was the sub, I couldn't believe the power. Keep in mind that I have never really been a fan of subs, as a vast majority causes the bass to dominate everything or they become real expensive and don't seem to add a lot. JL audio on the other hand adds a ton to the low range without taking over the role of the other speakers. I guess it kind of depends which direction you want to take your system. For the price of the sub you could instead add Studio 60's the matching center cc570 (I think) and the ADP surrounds. This is what I have, but some people would hate this, as I have found that a Pioneer with Paradigm Studios tend to sound a little sterile. Don't know if this is true for all their speaker lines. You could look at the ver3 as they supposedly are not that different from 4 but would be used. Supposedly v2 is quit different.
Thanks for the offer but I have been working with someone at the Bellevue store who really seems to know his stuff. I just wanted to hear other people's opinions as I spend of lot of money there and want to make sure that I am not overpaying. The one problem is that when he sold me the speakers he did not tell me that I would like them so much that I would become addicted and would be back for more.

tmcginn January 18, 2008 21:37

One major problem with either speaker in this case. It lies with your Pioneer receiver. Studio 100s have a tone of drivers and require a ton of power. Not sure that the signatures require so much; however that integrated lacks clarity so I doubt the Signatures will sound any better than say the monitor series. I would think they would also be a horrible mismatch with your current center. Sorry to be terribly pessimistic, but there are plenty more reasons to buy either speaker. Just some considerations I wish I had known before buying my current system. I would personally go with the 100s (assuming your amp can power them) as they will be more dynamic, probably will match up with the center better and may sound better than the Signatures and that amp. Either way, you would have a kick a** system. I have had a Pioneer Elite receiver with Paradigm Studio 60's v3 and think that was one of the best purchases I have made. I recently added Rotel 1080 200x2 watts continuing to use my Pioneer Elite as a pre/pro and my system is so much more alive, never thought the Paradigms could sound so good. BTW I too live in Seattle and got most of my stuff from Definitive Audio. In your opinion do they know their stuff or are do they just have good sales tricks?

tmcginn January 16, 2008 21:33