Paradigm price increases.

[drinke]

So - not very happy with Paradigm these days. I'd been planning on upgrading my fronts to the studio 40 and now have the cash to do it. So, I called the dealer - turns out that due to low volume, Paradigm told the dealer they could no longer buy direct and would have to go through a distributor. Guess who gets stuck picking up the extra cost? Basically the dealer now had to give-up giving nice discounts (the discount I was basically counting on). I am pretty sure this is not true of all dealers, but I am wondering if others have encountered this?

Moreover, and I'm sure others have noticed - paradigm prices have really gone up in the last year and are in fact set to go up again next week.

Basically, the 40s will be at or above 1600, the 60s are at 2000 and the 100s i think are now 2750 (and may in fact go up again!?!).

When I first started looking at Paradigm 18 months ago the prices were about 20% lower. I've been focused on paradigm - are price jumps like this happening everywhere?

My point is this - price increases I can understand and expect. I went with paradigm because of good reputation, sound and build quality, the upgrade path was key, and the prices seemed reasonable. But at these prices I am seriously thinking why be loyal to paradigm - why not just go with B&W 700 series for a few hundred more, or just go with internet direct and forget about dealers completely -

Am I over-reacting here? If so, would someone please talk some sense to me?

[ParadigmDawg]

Yes, the prices did go up. I found this out recently when I upgraded from the 40's to 100's. I was still able to get a deal but I have bought a lot of stuff from my dealer.

I think he still has my 40's (< year old) and I can probably get them back for less than 1k if you want me to try.

[egreen1976]

I recently purchased paradigm speakers and pro-ject equipment for precisely this reason. The week dollar is the reason paradigm had to raise prices. The Canadian dollar was almost at parity with the US dollar. Same with most foreign manufactured goods. The good news is the strengthening US dollar should take away the necessity for price increases.

[drinke]

Greg - thanks for the offer, with shipping (I'm in Mass) I might just suck it up and pay the extra few hunded - its just frustrating.

And I thought the recent gains by the USD against the CN dollar would have meant no more price increases - but based on what I am hearing I stand corrected.

[jamie2112]

Ok thats it Paradigm NO tip and I am putting a fish in your engine block......Oh wait, that was the waiter tonight...:eek:
That sucks that they have gone up 20% or more....B&W still looks good.....:D

[mazersteven]

Basically, the 40s will be at or above 1600, the 60s are at 2000 and the 100s i think are now 2750 (and may in fact go up again!?!).

The Paradigm Studio series IMO was one of the best values, sound quality vs. cost. But if this is the case, and those are the prices. I'm sorry to say that IMO that value is gone. Still a great speaker. But I can think of a few other speakers to spend my money on that would offer more performance.

[jamie2112]

The Paradigm Studio series IMO was one of the best values, sound quality vs. cost. But if this is the case, and those are the prices. I'm sorry to say that IMO that value is gone. Still a great speaker. But I can think of a few other speakers to spend my money on that would offer more performance.

Yes sir you are correct sir.....:D
I 2nd that Mazer....

[Warpdrv]

Well.. Paradigm increases prices... what else is new...

I think they make a great speaker, but there are other products out there, search and you may find, now lets reflect... I own both the studio's and the signature line... 100's.v4 and S4 .v1.... Here is what I learned after I found that I really love the sound of Paradigms....

Skip the dealers and buy second hand, sometimes you can find the new in box like I found my Signature S4's and C3 in Rosewood...

You can find these deals HERE (www.audiogon.com)

[Nuance AH]

The Paradigm Studio series IMO was one of the best values, sound quality vs. cost. But if this is the case, and those are the prices. I'm sorry to say that IMO that value is gone. Still a great speaker. But I can think of a few other speakers to spend my money on that would offer more performance.
+1. I have always thought that the studio series offered great bang for buck, but the v4's moved over $2500/pair, and now it seems another cost increase in inevitable. Its too bad, because for $2200 the Studio 100 .v3's were a good value. But at $2750...well, like mazersteven said, other great speakers available in that price range.

[fredk]

Ha! After maybe another price increase or two you will be paying Canadian prices.

I'm still waiting for the price reductions on imports because of the strong Loonie! :rolleyes:

[gchanjam]

Unfortunately, it's not only Paradigm that has gone up. Off the top of my head, Monitor Audio, B&W, Aerial, era, and Epos have all had price increases in the last year or so. The big one was Krell whose prices rose something along the lines of 20% and 20% of Krell prices is a big chunk of change.

[ParadigmDawg]

Building a relationship with a local dealer is what I have found to be the best offset of prices. I was able to use my 40's for a year and then trade them in for the price I paid for them. I know this isn't always possible but it has worked out great for me.

[mike c]

hey Greg, how much better are the 100's over the 40's (when using a subwoofer)

basically, do they bring anything to the table other than more bass?

[Warpdrv]

The 100's offer a dedicated mid-range driver being a 3 way speaker as opposed to a 2 1/2 way speaker in the 40's (the mid driver and woofer bear the load together).... That being said Having the S4's and being designed the same as the 40's, I feel Paradigm did a great job of producing an excellent performing speaker in the 40's sonicly speaking. But I feel that there is bit more clarity in the mids in the 100's, flaunting a bit more punch and cleanliness as well as separation if you will, and needless to say more bass....

Mike, if you like the sound of the Studio's, I know you have the room for them, I would go all the way with the 100's if you can... They are an amazing performing speaker that has certainly gained some recognition for sound in both HT and music...

Also let us not forget to state the obvious here.... If you are looking for something to keep up with all those subs, and the headroom they provide the 100's will get louder then the 40's with proper amplification, especially in a larger room.... My S4's get plenty loud in my bedroom, but not nearly as loud while staying clean as the 100's would....

[ParadigmDawg]

This is a tricky question and one I was trying to avoid.

I think my last 2 upgrades(AVR and 100's) were very much in the realm of diminishing returns. I had a very good "bang for the buck" system with the RX 659 and Studio 40's. It was like the little train that could. I was very impressed with the system as related to price.

With the new set up, it is expected to perform well and it does but it is at a high price. The 100's sound better when I listen to only the "fronts" but very similar to the 40's when I add the sub. The mid-range is clearer and it seems a little more balanced than before.

The new codecs are nice to have on the AVR but there were things a liked better about the 659 vs. the 3800. I got the 3800 for a really good price so I wont grip about it.

If I was going to do it all over, I would keep the 40's and add 2 KAPPA subs. I would keep the 659 and add a BD player that had analog outs.hey Greg, how much better are the 100's over the 40's (when using a subwoofer)

basically, do they bring anything to the table other than more bass?

[mazersteven]

When your thinking of the laws of "Diminishing Returns". The Studio 40's are IMO an incredible speaker. One of the best values from Paradigm. Plus they look great.

[ParadigmDawg]

Agreed.........When your thinking of the laws of "Diminishing Returns". The Studio 40's are IMO an incredible speaker. One of the best values from Paradigm.

[ParadigmDawg]

Another option may be just using my dealer. You could call him and tell him you are a friend of mine and see what he will do for you. They ship all over the place.

Just for reference, I paid 1k for the 40's 1 year ago.Greg - thanks for the offer, with shipping (I'm in Mass) I might just suck it up and pay the extra few hunded - its just frustrating.

And I thought the recent gains by the USD against the CN dollar would have meant no more price increases - but based on what I am hearing I stand corrected.

[Nuance AH]

.

Skip the dealers and buy second hand, sometimes you can find the new in box like I found my Signature S4's and C3 in Rosewood...

You can find these deals HERE (www.audiogon.com)
That's great advice.

As mentioned, many other manufacturers have raised their prices, Kef be another one of them. The way the market/economy is, it's inevitable. Heck, Salk raised the price of the SongTower's from their introductory price of $1495 to $1795. Things like this are going to happen until the economy gets out of the recession.

[GTHill]

So - not very happy with Paradigm these days. I'd been planning on upgrading my fronts to the studio 40 and now have the cash to do it. So, I called the dealer - turns out that due to low volume, Paradigm told the dealer they could no longer buy direct and would have to go through a distributor. Guess who gets stuck picking up the extra cost? Basically the dealer now had to give-up giving nice discounts (the discount I was basically counting on). I am pretty sure this is not true of all dealers, but I am wondering if others have encountered this?

Moreover, and I'm sure others have noticed - paradigm prices have really gone up in the last year and are in fact set to go up again next week.

Basically, the 40s will be at or above 1600, the 60s are at 2000 and the 100s i think are now 2750 (and may in fact go up again!?!).

When I first started looking at Paradigm 18 months ago the prices were about 20% lower. I've been focused on paradigm - are price jumps like this happening everywhere?

My point is this - price increases I can understand and expect. I went with paradigm because of good reputation, sound and build quality, the upgrade path was key, and the prices seemed reasonable. But at these prices I am seriously thinking why be loyal to paradigm - why not just go with B&W 700 series for a few hundred more, or just go with internet direct and forget about dealers completely -

Am I over-reacting here? If so, would someone please talk some sense to me?

I'm on the verge of selling my Studio 100's if you are interested. They are about 18 months old. Black. Just ping me if you are interested.

Gene

[drinke]

Thanks for the offer on the 100s - but I bit the bullet and paid the higher price (before it went up again), and traded up for the 40s with the local dealer. My room is pretty small, the volume is never that loud, I just wanted a pair of solid sounding speakers for pure direct mode.

For me one of the most frustrating things is that I thought the relationship I built with the dealer was strong enough where he might have contacted me BEFORE the change in distribution line forced him to raise prices given that he knew what my upgrade plan was and my timeframe.

I found another dealer close by who advised that he could still offer good discounts because he still buys direct from paradigm. He also carries B&W and a few others I am interested in.

I tried being loyal to this dealer and paradigm - but I think future systems will probably be built by neither.

[Warpdrv]

I'm on the verge of selling my Studio 100's if you are interested. They are about 18 months old. Black. Just ping me if you are interested.

Gene

Are they .v3 or .v4 ? Not that it matters all that much... I heard them side by side, and they are so close, in a blind test you would be very hard pressed to hear the difference... Slight but not huge...

[Warpdrv]

Thanks for the offer on the 100s - but I bit the bullet and paid the higher price (before it went up again), and traded up for the 40s with the local dealer. My room is pretty small, the volume is never that loud, I just wanted a pair of solid sounding speakers for pure direct mode.


drinke, how are you liking your 40's... they are a really nice speaker for the money... yes...

[GTHill]

Are they .v3 or .v4 ? Not that it matters all that much... I heard them side by side, and they are so close, in a blind test you would be very hard pressed to hear the difference... Slight but not huge...

Not sure, I'll have to check when I get home. Thanks!

Gene

[drinke]

drinke, how are you liking your 40's... they are a really nice speaker for the money... yes...

Warpdrv -

I just ordered them this morning, but I am really looking forward to them - will let all know when I get them in.

I can say though that i did do a direct test of the monitor line v studios and I really wanted to just do the 40s right away, but funds were limited so I went with a stop-gap solution (the 7s), and now I really regret it. Lesson learned.

[fredk]

I can say though that i did do a direct test of the monitor line v studios and I really wanted to just do the 40s right away, but funds were limited so I went with a stop-gap solution (the 7s), and now I really regret it. Lesson learned.
There is a huge difference between the two. I did the same comparison and that upped my expectations and budget. I could not live with a Monitor 7 like sound after listening to the Studio 40.

It seems that Paradigm has moved beyond its sound qulaity above all else roots. The new studios are dead sexy and the new price, at least in part, reflects that style upgrade.

[tn001d]

Are they .v3 or .v4 ? Not that it matters all that much... I heard them side by side, and they are so close, in a blind test you would be very hard pressed to hear the difference... Slight but not huge...

I agree v3 and v4 are pratically the same.. but i think v5 will be quite different.

I personally liked v2 over v3 and v4, cant wait to hear the v5's

[mazersteven]

I could not live with a Monitor 7 like sound after listening to the Studio 40.

Not even close in sound quality. The jump from the 7's to the 40's is huge IMO.

[Warpdrv]

I agree v3 and v4 are pratically the same.. but i think v5 will be quite different.

I personally liked v2 over v3 and v4, cant wait to hear the v5's

I have a bad feeling that will be a long wait... :o :(

[fredk]

Not even close in sound quality. The jump from the 7's to the 40's is huge IMO.
And here I thought I had golden ears. ;)