Audition interpretation

[Mtn. Steel]

So, I do not get a chance to do very many speaker auditions due to where I live. However, I was in Denver yesterday and went to a high end B&M audio store. I really wanted to listen to Paradigms. They had a nice listening room and every Digm in the line. My wife and I listened to the Cinema, Millenia, mini monitor, and Monitor lines. We brought our own source material and we both agreed on everything (how weird is that). It came down to the fact that we liked the biggest center they had-no question there. We strangely agreed that we both liked the Monitor 7 better than the 9...in that room. That room was wide and shallow with no back space. Our room is 15`W and 25` long with viewing smack center. That means about 10` back space. We both loved the Monitor 7 in that room, but I really wanted to love the 9`s! Being that their viewing/listening distance was about half of ours and much wider space, how would one interpret? Square footage of our room is bigger by a bit. Our ceiling is shorter. Their room had 9 floorstanding speakers, 6 subs and 12 or so bookshelves...clutter. my question is this ...if we really like the M7 is it possible that we would like the M9 less? Sorry for the long post, but I get confused with the dichotomy of "you get what you pay for" vs. It is what your ears like".

[mtrycrafts]

So, I do not get a chance to do very many speaker auditions due to where I live. However, I was in Denver yesterday and went to a high end B&M audio store. I really wanted to listen to Paradigms. They had a nice listening room and every Digm in the line. My wife and I listened to the Cinema, Millenia, mini monitor, and Monitor lines. We brought our own source material and we both agreed on everything (how weird is that). It came down to the fact that we liked the biggest center they had-no question there. We strangely agreed that we both liked the Monitor 7 better than the 9...in that room. That room was wide and shallow with no back space. Our room is 15`W and 25` long with viewing smack center. That means about 10` back space. We both loved the Monitor 7 in that room, but I really wanted to love the 9`s! Being that their viewing/listening distance was about half of ours and much wider space, how would one interpret? Square footage of our room is bigger by a bit. Our ceiling is shorter. Their room had 9 floorstanding speakers, 6 subs and 12 or so bookshelves...clutter. my question is this ...if we really like the M7 is it possible that we would like the M9 less? Sorry for the long post, but I get confused with the dichotomy of "you get what you pay for" vs. It is what your ears like".

Hard to predict how either one will sound like in your room. Too many variables. Any chance of having either or both for an in home audition?
If only one is possible, remember that the time interval between auditioning both is a killer; memory fades for small details rather rapidly.

[Mtn. Steel]

Hard to predict how either one will sound like in your room. Too many variables. Any chance of having either or both for an in home audition?
If only one is possible, remember that the time interval between auditioning both is a killer; memory fades for small details rather rapidly.
I know that you are right, but Digm dealers are far from my house and no one is willing to let me do in home unless I buy them and want to exchange. I live 120 miles from the dealer.

I guess a more specific question would be this...we loved the soundstage of the 7`s. I am thinking when we switched to the 9`s we were too close??? Kinda like a TV that id too big for the distance??? Does that make any sense?
I guess I should buy the 7s and if I am unhappy I can upgrade to the 9`s. Nice plan but that involves 3-4 120 mile drives!

[djreef]

Nice plan but that involves 3-4 120 mile drives!

Small price to pay considering the years of enjoyment you'll get out of your final decision.

DJ

[Mtn. Steel]

Darn it! I meant to put this in Loudspeakers! Can a Mod move it for me???

[griffinconst]

I just auditioned both of those last week. My thoughts were the 7's sounded a bit congested when turned up but I was listening full range, no sub.
They might clean up when rolled off below 80hz though. I also thought the
9's had a much fuller sound at low volumes but again, without a sub.
That's what I heard but you should believe your own ears.
Did you listen to any Studio models?

[griffinconst]

One more thing, there's no dichotomy....What you like is the best speaker for you. :)

[griffinconst]

One more thing, I liked the 7's, I just thought the 9's offered much more for just $200 more.
Keep us informed on your speaker journey.