Hi New Here

[roran1234]

Hi all,

I'm new here and new to stereo speakers, and I am planning to buy my first decent pair with a budget of $800-$900. As of now I have tried PSB and thought they lacked much and I have tried high end Energy speakers of my Fathers which were very good and last of all I have settled upon the Paradigm Monitor 7 V.5 which I could get for $730 which sound like a very good deal to me. How are the Paradigm and what is the best I could get for $900?

Thanks,
Ollie

[Clint DeBoer]

Those are certainly a decent name brand speaker. Are you pretty much set on floorstanders?

[roran1234]

Well I thought they were the best for music? Thats the intended purpose for me.

Thanks,
Ollie

[lsiberian]

Well I thought they were the best for music? Thats the intended purpose for me.

Thanks,
Ollie

No they aren't the best for music, but they are very nice. The best will cost more than most of us have to spend. :) Paradigm makes great speakers.

[griffinconst]

I like Paradigm speakers but I think you could get Monitor 9's for the $900 you have to spend, unless those are too big for you. I think they sound more open at higher volume and more full at lower volume, but that's my ears.
I forgot to ask, are you planning on a sub or do you want your mains to stand on their own? The 7's would probably open up with a sub doing the heavy lifting. They are good speakers.
Trust your ears and you'll do fine.

[diegs]

I think floorstanders are better suited for 2 channel music because they usually provide better bass response than a bookshelf sized counterpart. Most bookshelfs would need a subwoofer with music, depending on the music.

With the brands you're auditioning, you are on the right track. I'd listen to as many speakers as you can locally with the music you like and maybe consider giving the internet direct brands a look... Aperion, axiom, the speaker company to name a few. Also the new acculines should be out soon. Good luck.

[roran1234]

I like Paradigm speakers but I think you could get Monitor 9's for the $900 you have to spend, unless those are too big for you. I think they sound more open at higher volume and more full at lower volume, but that's my ears.
I forgot to ask, are you planning on a sub or do you want your mains to stand on their own? The 7's would probably open up with a sub doing the heavy lifting. They are good speakers.
Trust your ears and you'll do fine.

Yes I would like to use them without the sub. Sow how much better are 9`s than 7`s?

Thanks,
Ollie

[fredk]

I would agree with diegs on Aperion and Axiom.

I had a chance to audition the Monitor 7 as well as the Studio 20, 40 and 60 and then various axiom offerings.

Compared to the others, I found the studio 7 lacking. The bass was muddy (not well defined) and the midrange and high end were veiled. In comparison the Studio line and the Axiom offerings (M22, M60, M80) had a much more detailed rich sound all around.

The bottom end was much more textured. A plucked bass string sounded like a plucked bass string rather than a bass note. Vocals gained a 'right-there' sound. Not just more detailed, but also much more real.

I did not do a side by side comparison of the Studio line to Axioms offerings so I cannot say they sound the same, but they sure are close and at the price of the Monitor line.

I have seen one direct comparison between Aperion's T6 (I think) tower and the Axiom M80 and the two were very similar in sound.

The catch with Axiom and Aperion is that you need to find a person that will let you audition them, or try them in your home.

[griffinconst]

Yes I would like to use them without the sub. Sow how much better are 9`s than 7`s?

Thanks,
Ollie

As far as the 9's, I stand by what I already said. Of the others mentioned, I've only hear Axiom 60's but thought they sounded very good. They're about $900.
As Diegs said, take a few cd's you know well and go listen to as many speakers as you can. You might find you like some other brand better than the ones your considering.It's fun too.:)
Can you listen to Paradigms in your area? See for yourself if you like the 9's better.
Only you know your ears. We can only send you in the right direction.