Paradigm upgrade from SEs, I’m torn though…

[wlmmn]

About 3 years ago I purchased a pair of Paradigm SE3s and a SE center and I’ve been happy with it. I’m looking to upgrade from what I have, and I like the Paradigm sound, but I’m wondering if the Studio 60s would be that much of an upgrade from the SE3s I have now. Where did the SE line fall in regards to their current lineup, quality wise? I emailed Paradigm asking about this and I’m curious to hear back from them. There’s surprisingly very little mention of Paradigm’s former SE line on the internet.


I had to do some digging, but supposedly the Special Edition (SE) line was built taking Monitor series cabinets and putting Studio drivers in them. But the drivers in my SE3s and SE center don’t look like Studio drivers quite frankly, they look more like Monitor drivers, at least compared to the Studio drivers’ pictures I’m seeing on Paradigm’s website. So would getting some Studio 60s be noticeably better? I wish I had the coin to spring for some Signature S6s but the price jump between the Studios and the Signatures is ridiculous; I wish that either the Signatures cost slightly less or Paradigm made a line in between the Studios and the Signatures, but alas the Studios seem to be my only upgrade option with Paradigm. I tried asking the dealer to see if the fact that Paradigm is revealing a new speaker and/or the fact the the current Signature version has been around a while would translate into a price drop for the Signature S6s, but no such luck. Darn.


I like Paradigm’s slightly bright, detailed upfront sound so I’d like to go with them; I’ve listened to B&Ws (owned a nice pair actually) and Sonus Faber, and those two speaker manufacturers’ signature sound seems to smooth things out with a slight dip in the mids, which I don’t want. Please don’t flame me, just personal taste and preference.


I made an appointment with the only Paradigm dealer in Colorado next Saturday to audition some Studio speakers with a pair of SE3s they actually have (what are the odds?) Unfortunately I won’t be able to compare their SE3s with Studio 60s as they only have Studio 20s there, but it should give me a least a general idea of how the current Studio model’s mid and high frequency drivers sound compared to the now defunct SE line. Maybe I’ll even spring for a new center channel like the CC-490!


Thoughts?

 

[ImcLoud]

I am not a fan of pdigms sound, somehting close that I do like is the imagine line from PSB, give them a listen too, you may fall in love...

 

[wlmmn]

I've heard PSBs; a little too upfront actually, I like how Paradigm's a bit more neutral (comparatively).

 

[Cos]

You won't find many Paradigm fans on this board (even though they are still voted as best speaker manufacturer on this forum) how scientific right . My suggestion is to go to the Paradigm Speaker section of the AVSforum to gain some insight. I really like my paradigms. I started out with the studio 60v3 and just sold my Paradigm 100v5.

I wasn't a big fan of the Monitor line, partly because the enclosures and I thought the Studios sounded significantly better. I would say my guess the most noticiable difference in sound quality if you bump up to the studio series would be the bass.

If you are going to upgrade to the 60s, I would strongly suggest spending the extra money and picking up the CC-690 over the CC-490. I originally had the CC-570 when I had my Studio 60v3s and it was a HUGE difference with movies and dialogue. I was debating keeping it when I sold off my set, but it is not a good match for the Golden Ear Ones that replaced them.

I bought my CC-690 from my dealer for 1200+tax and just sold it for 1100.00 about 2 years later, I really think its a solid center channel.

 

[ImcLoud]

I've heard PSBs; a little too upfront actually, I like how Paradigm's a bit more neutral (comparatively).

WOW, I thought the opposite, normally psb's are a little laid back not as much as wharfedale but almost, the imagine line is a little more forward but I would but them warmer than any paradigm I have ever heard...

What would your actual budget be?

 

[wlmmn]

When I say the PSBs were too upfront I was referring to the mids and high-mids, not the highs. Again, I like how the paradigms are a little bright.

I could swing $3,000/pair. The Studio 60s would be $2,200/pair according to my dealer. Whether that'd be any substantial upgrade from what I have now remains to be seen. Frustrating since I can't swing the $6,000 for a pair the Signatures would be. My budget plus Paradigm's pricing structure paints me into a small corner.

 

[ImcLoud]

At that price point I would look into the set of Monitor audio golds that AA put on their sale list, Monitor Audio - Gold GX 200 - 3-Way Tower-Audio Advisor , a step or 2 above your paradigms, and with the matching center you would be around $2800 vs almost $6000 if they weren't on sale... If you don't want to spend that much the silvers can easily be had for your budget with a matching center... Most likely if you change mains you will need a new center anyway...


I am not totally anti paradigm, I have heard a few speakers I didn't mind but then I look at the price tag... lol For my ears there is much more out there, but someone must like them... Aesthetically the monitor audio golds are about the most striking speakers you will ever see, even with the grills on, I have heard them in a few different rooms the speakers have what it takes for sure...

 

[wlmmn]

Thanks for the link; I see the only Monitor Audio "dealers" in the Denver, CO area are "custom installers", not sure what they'd have in stock for me to listen to.

One of the most frustrating things about buying new speakers is getting to hear them first, as taste preferences vary widely from person to person and what one person's ears like, another person doesn't. Some people love B&Ws and Sonus Fabers, I think they mask too much in the mids, some like PSBs, I think they're a bit too mid-range forward, some like Philharmonic, Monitor Gold and Avalons, but I haven't heard any of those in person, which I'd certainly love to do if I had the opportunity. Trouble is, I don't.

I'm only on Paradigm's side here because out of what I've heard in person I like them the most.....but I'm sure there's other speaker manufacturers out there who might make a better speaker for what my ears like........trouble is, I can't know until I hear that particular speaker in person. I just emailed Philharmonic to see if there's any way I can audition his speakers in person in my area. I'm just now remembering that Avalon Acoustics is based in Boulder, might be worth giving them a try.

 

[Cos]

I definitely suggest demo'ing as you have a lot of options in your price range;

When I shopped out my Paradigm Studio 100s I compared against Revel F206, BMW CM9 and Focal 826, and while others will definitely disagree with me, while each had their strengths and weaknesses I stayed with Paradigm until about 15 days ago.

You also might want to wait 3 days to see what Paradigm's new speaker announcement includes. I talked to the dealer who carries both Golden Ear and where I bought my Paradigms and he stated it was a refresh of the monitor line. If you look at the video it looks like a complete redesign and they call it the Prestige line.

The redesign looks very similar to the Monitor Gold that Imcloud suggested.

http://www.paradigm.com/videos/index.php - Looks like aluminum woofers

If you push your dealer you might get 20% off Paradigms. I got my Studio 100v5 for 3k out the door with tax included, black ash finish.

 

[ImcLoud]

Thanks for the link; I see the only Monitor Audio "dealers" in the Denver, CO area are "custom installers", not sure what they'd have in stock for me to listen to.

One of the most frustrating things about buying new speakers is getting to hear them first, as taste preferences vary widely from person to person and what one person's ears like, another person doesn't. Some people love B&Ws and Sonus Fabers, I think they mask too much in the mids, some like PSBs, I think they're a bit too mid-range forward, some like Philharmonic, Monitor Gold and Avalons, but I haven't heard any of those in person, which I'd certainly love to do if I had the opportunity. Trouble is, I don't.

I'm only on Paradigm's side here because out of what I've heard in person I like them the most.....but I'm sure there's other speaker manufacturers out there who might make a better speaker for what my ears like........trouble is, I can't know until I hear that particular speaker in person. I just emailed Philharmonic to see if there's any way I can audition his speakers in person in my area. I'm just now remembering that Avalon Acoustics is based in Boulder, might be worth giving them a try.

You are changing your center also right? I think the phils are a great choice, but they are flat, if you are looking for something forward in any way I don't think they would pop into my head.. They are amazing speakers though... Have you considered bookshelfs? How about svs them are a little bright, and also wharfedale jades , they also are a little bright...

 

[wlmmn]

I'd only be changing my center if I were to stray from Paradigms, as I do most of my critical listening in stereo and my brain's turned off a bit when watching a movie. My SE center isn't bad, really.

Thanks everyone for the links and info. My appointment with the Paradigm dealer is next Saturday, so that's definitely after the announcement; here's hoping they do some price reduction on their other speakers as a result *fingers crossed*

I wonder how Avalons sound? Their headquarters are actually not far from where I work in Boulder...

 

[jliedeka]

My system uses Studio 20s with CC-490 for the front 3. When I bought them, I originally planned to buy the SE monitors. After listening, I thought the Studios were enough of an improvement to justify their price.

That said, I'm not sure the difference is huge. If I had an SE system, I wouldn't make that upgrade. I would be looking at the Signatures or other brands.

It is getting tougher to audition speakers these days. I think my city is down to two specialty audio dealers. I hope you find something you like.

Jim

 

[Cos]

Introducing Paradigm Prestige Series | The Absolute Sound

I have to admit these do look pretty nice. I like the fact that are 100% made in Canada.

 

[ImcLoud]

Introducing Paradigm Prestige Series | The Absolute Sound

I have to admit these do look pretty nice. I like the fact that are 100% made in Canada.

I like something with a little more shape.. Curved cabinets just look so much better for some reason... Its one of the reasons I haven't puled the trigger on a set of sierra towers yet...

 

[wlmmn]

I'm not sure the difference is huge. If I had an SE system, I wouldn't make that upgrade. I would be looking at the Signatures or other brands.

I can't afford the Signatures. HUGE price leap on those from the Studios. I'm going to auditon the Studios this Saturday and report back on how much difference there is.

It is getting tougher to audition speakers these days. I think my city is down to two specialty audio dealers. I hope you find something you like.

Very true. Hearing about all these speaker brands on this site is frustrating, since I can't hear them for myself to make a judgement call, which is the most important part.

Even in the Denver/Boulder area where I live, there's really not that much brand diversity to choose from in audio showrooms. If you want to listen to B&Ws the world's your oyster, but trying to audition some Aperion, Axiom, Martin Logan, Meridan, Monitor Audio, RBH Sound, Philharmonic, Wilson Audio, or even Avalon (which is based in Boulder)? Phhht. Good luck. How am I supposed to make much of an informed purchase auditioning several brands?

 

[slipperybidness]

Introducing Paradigm Prestige Series | The Absolute Sound

I have to admit these do look pretty nice. I like the fact that are 100% made in Canada.

First thing I thought when I saw the link was "KEF R series, minus the uni-Q drivers". Very similar styling.

 

[skads_187]

is prestige really only replacing the monitors? im looking to get studios soon as well, but not sure which line those are replacing.

 

[Cos]

I am just as confused as you are, given their price point of 4k, my guess is that they are replacing the Studio series. My dealer thought they were replacing the lower end because they originally listed new reference speakers on their website, then removed the word "reference"

 

[skads_187]

I am just as confused as you are, given their price point of 4k, my guess is that they are replacing the Studio series. My dealer thought they were replacing the lower end because they originally listed new reference speakers on their website, then removed the word "reference"

oh nice, where did you get the pricing info from? i cant find it anywhere,
I like the way they look, however, im not sure if they are nicer looking than the studios.
obviously, if they sound better, that will be key

 

[Cos]

Paradigm Has Two New Stories to Tell | Sound & Vision

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