New Speakers

[Kevin Poirier]

Ok all. I would like some direction or things to listen for. I know I have to hear them myself but I need to go to a couple of different locations, so it won’t be side by side. I’m thinking of upgrading my bed layer and going from 5 to 7. I currently have B&W 600 series 2. It was a huge upgrade from what I had and imagining and detail was fantastic. So here is what I’m contemplating on.
1-B&W 700 series
2-Paradigm Premier series
3-Paradigm Founder series
4-Arendal 1723 series
5-SVS Ultras series
6-Kef Q series
Thank you in advance for help, pointers, and help.

Thought I already posted this but forgot and I drove to NH today to listen to some speakers. I listened to Paradigm Founder 100F, B&W 702, KEF R7, and Focal Aria K2 936.
Paradigm sounded the best. B&W were second. Followed by KEF. Did not like the Focal at all.

 

[ryanosaur]

Kef Q would be a lateral move. You would need to up the Ante to the R Series.

My thoughts would lean toward the Arendals or Founders.If you have the chance to audition Monitor Audio Silvers, they are good Speakers Too.

 

[Kevin Poirier]

Kef Q would be a lateral move. You would need to up the Ante to the R Series.

My thoughts would lean toward the Arendals or Founders.If you have the chance to audition Monitor Audio Silvers, they are good Speakers Too.

I did try the R series and liked the B&W and Paradigm better. I did like the founders a little more then the B&W

 

[ryanosaur]

I did try the R series and liked the B&W and Paradigm better. I did like the founders a little more then the B&W

I'm not a huge KEF fan. Not to say they don't sound good, but they aren't for me. That said, I am not into B&W at all. *shrugs.

 

[Kevin Poirier]

I'm not a huge KEF fan. Not to say they don't sound good, but they aren't for me. That said, I am not into B&W at all. *shrugs.

I did like Founders of all that I heard.

 

[Cos]

Unless you have some beefy amps, I would avoid the B&W 700

• https://www.bowerswilkins.com/sites/default/files/2018-08/702 S2 Info Sheet_0.pdf
• Nominal impedance (min 3.1 ohms)

Paradigm Premier (reviewed well here)

• Low Price Point, good bang for your $$
• well reviewed here, very neutral response
• Basic looking speaker finishes

Paradigm Founder (would be my choice)

• Beautiful looking speakers (midnight cherry)
• You hit the sweet spot in the 100F, if you are going to use a center, get the larger model
• Pretty neutral speaker, but not perfect

Arendal 1723

• Have not heard myself, but well reviewed and respected on many sites

SVS Ultras

• Have not heard, a few users on this site have said positive things

Surprised you didn't like the Focals,

I am sure others have input here, good look on your search!

 

[Kevin Poirier]

Unless you have some beefy amps, I would avoid the B&W 700

• https://www.bowerswilkins.com/sites/default/files/2018-08/702 S2 Info Sheet_0.pdf
• Nominal impedance (min 3.1 ohms)

Paradigm Premier (reviewed well here)

• Low Price Point, good bang for your $$
• well reviewed here, very neutral response
• Basic looking speaker finishes

Paradigm Founder (would be my choice)

• Beautiful looking speakers (midnight cherry)
• You hit the sweet spot in the 100F, if you are going to use a center, get the larger model
• Pretty neutral speaker, but not perfect

Arendal 1723

• Have not heard myself, but well reviewed and respected on many sites

SVS Ultras

• Have not heard, a few users on this site have said positive things

Surprised you didn't like the Focals,

I am sure others have input here, good look on your search!

I’m running an Emotiva XPA with my 600s. The Focals sound to me was I co pinpoint hat speaker was making the sound and it was staying with the speaker instead of coming into the room where it should of been like the others. If I go with Paradigm, I do plan on going with the 90C.

 

[kini]

Most speakers are going to sound different in your own space. For me in my space my kef q750/q650c provide a very large 3 dimensional sound stage.

So if possible pick the 2 or 3 you like best and try them in your space. You might find things are different.

 

[Kevin Poirier]

If I buy the brands I heard. The place allows you to bring the floor models home to try. If I choose to buy them, I’m allowed to hold on to the until mine arrive. Which I think is incredible. I just wish there was an Arendal dealer around, but I did enjoy the service of this dealer. Even though it’s over an hour away. The took time and spent almost 4 hours with me. Asking questions. Matching equipment as close as possible. Changing out speakers, so I wasn't listening in different rooms or equipment. Just this level of service is almost making me consider only what they carry.

 

[Eppie]

Surprised too that you didn't like the Focals but sounds like you found something nice in the Founders. I'm hoping to demo them soon as well as I really like my Paradigm Studio 20. I heard some Monitor Audio Gold 200 today and did not like them. The JBL HDI-3600 was really nice though. If in the U.S., the SVS speakers have free returns and Arendal might do the same. I did a detailed write up on my testing today in case you're interested in the things that I look for in a speaker.

 

[Kevin Poirier]

Surprised too that you didn't like the Focals but sounds like you found something nice in the Founders. I'm hoping to demo them soon as well as I really like my Paradigm Studio 20. I heard some Monitor Audio Gold 200 today and did not like them. The JBL HDI-3600 was really nice though. If in the U.S., the SVS speakers have free returns and Arendal might do the same. I did a detailed write up on my testing today in case you're interested in the things that I look for in a speaker.

I think I have. I’ve heard from several that SVS would be lateral to my 600s. I might still consider Arendal, but I think when I’m closer to being ready. I’ll take the Paradigms home to try out.

 

[fmw]

Ok all. I would like some direction or things to listen for. I know I have to hear them myself but I need to go to a couple of different locations, so it won’t be side by side. I’m thinking of upgrading my bed layer and going from 5 to 7. I currently have B&W 600 series 2. It was a huge upgrade from what I had and imagining and detail was fantastic. So here is what I’m contemplating on.
1-B&W 700 series
2-Paradigm Premier series
3-Paradigm Founder series
4-Arendal 1723 series
5-SVS Ultras series
6-Kef Q series
Thank you in advance for help, pointers, and help.

Thought I already posted this but forgot and I drove to NH today to listen to some speakers. I listened to Paradigm Founder 100F, B&W 702, KEF R7, and Focal Aria K2 936.
Paradigm sounded the best. B&W were second. Followed by KEF. Did not like the Focal at all.

You did it the right way. You found which is best for you before you bought something.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ok all. I would like some direction or things to listen for. I know I have to hear them myself but I need to go to a couple of different locations, so it won’t be side by side. I’m thinking of upgrading my bed layer and going from 5 to 7. I currently have B&W 600 series 2. It was a huge upgrade from what I had and imagining and detail was fantastic. So here is what I’m contemplating on.
1-B&W 700 series
2-Paradigm Premier series
3-Paradigm Founder series
4-Arendal 1723 series
5-SVS Ultras series
6-Kef Q series
Thank you in advance for help, pointers, and help.

Thought I already posted this but forgot and I drove to NH today to listen to some speakers. I listened to Paradigm Founder 100F, B&W 702, KEF R7, and Focal Aria K2 936.
Paradigm sounded the best. B&W were second. Followed by KEF. Did not like the Focal at all.

You seem to prefer speakers with a +5dB Treble Peak on-axis. The B&W +5dB Treble peak is around 10kHz, while the Paradigm +5dB Treble peak is around 15-16kHz. Another brand that has this +5dB treble peak is GoldenEar.

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the GoldenEar Triton One.R's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 mike for the nearfield responses. I removed the loudspeaker's front and side grilles for the nearfield...

www.stereophile.com

Paradigm Founder 100F and 70LCR Loudspeakers Review

The Paradigm's Founder 100F 3-way towers and 70LCR speakers use a slew of new technologies to push the loudspeaker game forward. Read our review to see how they sounded and performed with measurements.

www.audioholics.com

 

[Kevin Poirier]

Thank you