The Official Paradigm Speakers Thread

[aces high]

Originally Posted by azereus

Ryan (or anyone else for that matter), would it be fair to say that the 20s sound same/similar as the the 60s with less bottom end capability?

The 20's and 60's sound very close, the 60's are a bit efficent and with more drivers have some more output, the difference really isn't that big. The price difference really isn't that big if you buy the Paradigm stands either, they are pricey but are very good stands. I've owned five or six different sets of stands and the j29's are by far the best. Filling them with sand made the bass sound alot tighter and less boomie, a cheap tweek that makes a difference. I used the 20's as my fronts for about a year and ordered the 60's just before the price increase but changed to the 100's because going from the 20's to the 60's wasn't enough of an upgrade. From demoing and owning the v5 studio's I think if you have the 10's get the 60's, 20's to 100's. Any other way isn't enough of an upgrade IMO. It also depends on the price you can get and what the difference is.(20's vs 60's)

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

Wow, bottom of the food chain. The 10s and 20s are a stunning speaker for anyone. To me, you have to spend more than 3.5 grand to really start to hear the difference.

The Studio line V5 is basically very very close to the Signature Series V1.

My 100s (V5) are simply the best speakers I have heard without going above $6K.

Out of curriousity, what else have you compared them too?

[azereus]

Originally Posted by aces high

The 20's and 60's sound very close, the 60's are a bit efficent and with more drivers have some more output, the difference really isn't that big. The price difference really isn't that big if you buy the Paradigm stands either, they are pricey but are very good stands. I've owned five or six different sets of stands and the j29's are by far the best. Filling them with sand made the bass sound alot tighter and less boomie, a cheap tweek that makes a difference. I used the 20's as my fronts for about a year and ordered the 60's just before the price increase but changed to the 100's because going from the 20's to the 60's wasn't enough of an upgrade. From demoing and owning the v5 studio's I think if you have the 10's get the 60's, 20's to 100's. Any other way isn't enough of an upgrade IMO. It also depends on the price you can get and what the difference is.(20's vs 60's)

Thanks for your thoughts on this, I appreciate it.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

Wow, bottom of the food chain. The 10s and 20s are a stunning speaker for anyone. To me, you have to spend more than 3.5 grand to really start to hear the difference.

The Studio line V5 is basically very very close to the Signature Series V1.

My 100s (V5) are simply the best speakers I have heard without going above $6K.

Have you heard the s6's? They can be had for alittle less than $6k and I don't think the 100's are better. I think at their price point the 100's are tough to beat but I don't think they reach quite that high up the ladder.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by -DLS-

I've been at the in-laws place for a week now and they have the Studio 100's v2 in a 2.1 setup. They mostly use it for Karaoke and used DSP modes off an older Yamaha receiver. Never really sat down to listen to any Music but have watched bits of Toy Story a few times since it always keeps my little boy busy but it's hard to judge them.. They sound pretty live but the room is mostly hard surfaces and speakers are along the long wall facing an opening in the corner. The only type of dampening in the room are the leather sofas. Got a few picks of the place but I don't have the cable for the camera... They are a bit bigger than my v5's and still built solid. They've had them for maybe 10 years and the quality of the speakers in mint condition I would say is worth $1000. For me though I would probably take a pair of v4 Studio 60's for the same price to go with your CC-590. I've seen them listed between $800-$1200cdn over the last year.

DLS, i just viewed your video on youtube and posted a comment, you have a wonderful home theater man, simply amazing, maybe on day my crib will look like your's and Morrisey's Ohh you too FORS lol.(Projection man)!!

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by i JACK o

i was hunting for a reciever around the same time as you and would have gotten a similar price, i love my avr i just dont know if i need all its perks seeing as im more of an x's and o's guy at the moment , and i cant wait to get the xpa-3, im glad that your enjoying it, ive already got 500$ saved up so ive been looking through the used market hoping to get a deal i almost bought a xpa-2 the other day but someone else got to it first

I'm not sure you would notice a huge difference adding on the extra amp unless youhave a huge room and are finding that you are hitting distortion levels in the receiver.

Where you would notice a difference is if you bought a 4 channel amp (or two 2 channel) and bi-amped the 100s.

For me, I went from a lowly (no insult to anyone) VSX21 to a T175/M25 combo from NAD. This is a huge jump, and there was a significant acoustic improvement. But my major improvement on my top end was bi-amping. It lets the tweeters breath a little more, and not have their power sucked away by the midrange and 3 bass drivers in the 100s.

To me, my advice would be to get a 5 channel amp to power the front three, and use 2 channels to bi-amp the 100s.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by callas01

Out of curriousity, what else have you compared them too?

B&W 800 series (804s I believe), Paradigm S8, Mythos ST, as well as some Focals, PSBs, and Monitor Audios.

The 804s and the S8 were abviously better, but with a huge price tag attached.

Other than bass, the Mythos ST disappointed.

I didn't really like anything from Focal or PSB, except for PSBs top dog speaker.

Monitor Audio were very nice, but I still preferred the Paradigms.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by aces high

Have you heard the s6's? They can be had for alittle less than $6k and I don't think the 100's are better. I think at their price point the 100's are tough to beat but I don't think they reach quite that high up the ladder.

That was really the point I was trying to make. I think with the 100 V5s you are getting a $3500 speaker that competes (it may not best) but it competes with $6k speakers.

Also remember, since I am a dealer, I was able to do comparisons to the S8s. The 100s kept up very handidly. You really need very specific music to really show where the S8s can shine. Something like Al Di Meola's Kiss My Axe, track 2, the Embrace. Massive transitions from slow to fast and quite to VERY loud.

[aces high]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

That was really the point I was trying to make. I think with the 100 V6s you are getting a $3500 speaker that competes (it may not best) but it competes with $6k speakers.

Also remember, since I am a dealer, I was able to do comparisons to the S8s. The 100s kept up very handidly. You really need very specific music to really show where the S8s can shine. Something like Al Di Meola's Kiss My Axe, track 2, the Embrace. Massive transitions from slow to fast and quite to VERY loud.

That's good to hear, I'm hoping to get the same amp as you at the end of the month and be able to hear what the 100's can really do. I don't think my Pioneer sc-07 is really doing them any justice. Did you ever try the T975 with the 100's? I'm just wondering if there's that much difference between the two. What kind of front end electronics were you using when you compared the 100's and S8's?

[Morrissey]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

That was really the point I was trying to make. I think with the 100 V6s you are getting a $3500 speaker that competes (it may not best) but it competes with $6k speakers.

Also remember, since I am a dealer, I was able to do comparisons to the S8s. The 100s kept up very handidly. You really need very specific music to really show where the S8s can shine. Something like Al Di Meola's Kiss My Axe, track 2, the Embrace. Massive transitions from slow to fast and quite to VERY loud.

Are you hinting that the Studio 100's V6 will be coming out soon?
Being a dealer, do you know something that we don't?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

B&W 800 series (804s I believe), Paradigm S8, Mythos ST, as well as some Focals, PSBs, and Monitor Audios.

The 804s and the S8 were abviously better, but with a huge price tag attached.

Other than bass, the Mythos ST disappointed.

I didn't really like anything from Focal or PSB, except for PSBs top dog speaker.

Monitor Audio were very nice, but I still preferred the Paradigms.

If you get the chance, try and listen to some Dynaudio Focus 220 II's($3600) or Totem Hawks($2600) or Forests($4000). Also if you can locate Amphion Prio 620s(~$3500).

I have heard many speakers, and for the money, I would take any of these over anything else I have heard. I have not heard the Studio 100s, but I would venture to say that these speakers, esp the Dyns would really peak your intrests. Totem is built in Canada, so that shouldn't be a difficult find for you up there. Dynaudio may be a little more of a tough find, but they are very neutral, and they are honest. Honest to the point that some people find them too revealing. If you have a bad source or a bad recording... its gonna let you know.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by aces high

That's good to hear, I'm hoping to get the same amp as you at the end of the month and be able to hear what the 100's can really do. I don't think my Pioneer sc-07 is really doing them any justice. Did you ever try the T975 with the 100's? I'm just wondering if there's that much difference between the two. What kind of front end electronics were you using when you compared the 100's and S8's?

CD Player - NAD C565BEE

Preamp - Bryston BP6

Amp - Bryston 3BSST biwired with Ultralink Excellsior cables.

Not bad I guess.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by Morrissey

Are you hinting that the Studio 100's V6 will be coming out soon?
Being a dealer, do you know something that we don't?

Corrected. The V5s just came out.

[Ryan Peddle]

Originally Posted by callas01

If you get the chance, try and listen to some Dynaudio Focus 220 II's($3600) or Totem Hawks($2600) or Forests($4000). Also if you can locate Amphion Prio 620s(~$3500).

I have heard many speakers, and for the money, I would take any of these over anything else I have heard. I have not heard the Studio 100s, but I would venture to say that these speakers, esp the Dyns would really peak your intrests. Totem is built in Canada, so that shouldn't be a difficult find for you up there. Dynaudio may be a little more of a tough find, but they are very neutral, and they are honest. Honest to the point that some people find them too revealing. If you have a bad source or a bad recording... its gonna let you know.

I am a lifer for Paradigm. I always demo other brands to see what the rest sound like...but if I was going to go all out and price was no object...Revel is where I would end. Since I now I will never be there without a lottery win...some form of Paradigm will be what my system. At some point down the road, everything will be Signature.

I know you are just offering advice, but I notice you come in the Paradigm thread quite often and advice and discuss about everything but Paradigm. Did you have a bad experience with them?

[aces high]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

CD Player - NAD C565BEE

Preamp - Bryston BP6

Amp - Bryston 3BSST biwired with Ultralink Excellsior cables.

Not bad I guess.

Not too shabby.

[dobyblue]

If I was going all out and price was no object I'd have to decide between the Nola Grand Reference or the Evolution Acoustics MMSeven. Of course if I was going to be able to afford those it goes without saying that I'd obviously have a room big enough to enjoy the listening experience too. Something like this:



Those are the EA MM3's. The 7's are even bigger.

I've read so many opinions of folks who have owned $70k+ speakers and who have said the MM7's outperform anything else they've ever heard at 1/2 the price. (I think retail is around $35k?)

[i JACK o]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

I'm not sure you would notice a huge difference adding on the extra amp unless youhave a huge room and are finding that you are hitting distortion levels in the receiver.

Where you would notice a difference is if you bought a 4 channel amp (or two 2 channel) and bi-amped the 100s.

For me, I went from a lowly (no insult to anyone) VSX21 to a T175/M25 combo from NAD. This is a huge jump, and there was a significant acoustic improvement. But my major improvement on my top end was bi-amping. It lets the tweeters breath a little more, and not have their power sucked away by the midrange and 3 bass drivers in the 100s.

To me, my advice would be to get a 5 channel amp to power the front three, and use 2 channels to bi-amp the 100s.

once i get a cc690, XPA-5 it is i appreciate the advice

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by i JACK o

once i get a cc690, XPA-5 it is i appreciate the advice

I think you are handling that whole UPS screwin' up your CC-690 thing rather well. I would have to stay away from this site until I got mine if UPS f'd it up....any progress or an ETA for the new CC-690 yet?

[i JACK o]

Originally Posted by Morrissey

Are you hinting that the Studio 100's V6 will be coming out soon?
Being a dealer, do you know something that we don't?

whats the plan? get a pair of 100 v6s when they come out? hopefully they dont change the tweeters on you, then the sound from the v5 690 might not match the new fronts

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Ryan Peddle

I am a lifer for Paradigm. I always demo other brands to see what the rest sound like...but if I was going to go all out and price was no object...Revel is where I would end. Since I now I will never be there without a lottery win...some form of Paradigm will be what my system. At some point down the road, everything will be Signature.

I know you are just offering advice, but I notice you come in the Paradigm thread quite often and advice and discuss about everything but Paradigm. Did you have a bad experience with them?

Well Dynaudio is up there with Revel. Comes down to sound.

Actually I think Paradigm makes a fine speaker. I think PSB, Paradigm and Energy all make fairly similar speakers. And they are all Canadian, well until Klipsch bought API, only difference is what sound you prefer.

I just like to make sure that people keep their options open. Paradigm, like Polk and B&W are fairly POPULAR, esp on this forum. And while they make good speakers, there are other brands that I think people should also be exposed to and so I like to make recommendations. By all means if Paradigm or Energy are your favorite, then great... if not, its best to know that something else IS.

You said your a lifer Paradigm user. And that is great. However someone that is new to HT and this forum should be exposed to more then just what one lifer likes. Would you agree?