Sonic differences between Paradigm S8 vs S4 vs S2?

[Yamaheart]

I was thinking of getting a pair of speakers that is not Yamaha for once. The S8 is out of the question right now, expensive. I was thinking of getting either the S2 or S4 used. Is there big difference in sound quality from the S2/S4 compare to the S8? I would think it will be lack of bass? I have a budget of $2000. Thanks.

 

[JerryLove]

My experience is with the V1s.

If it puts some perspective, I chose to actually run S4 fronts, S2 rears and a sub.

There was something about the upper mids that was, to me, and in the store, better on the S2 and less good moving to the S4 and again to the S8. On the other hand, the low-end opened up with the S4. It opened a bit more with the S8 but... price being a factor: for me the smaller speakers with a sub worked better.

No idea on the V3s, but I would love to afford to find out.

 

[oppman99]

I have v2 S2's and S8's. Obviously the 8's are fantastic. Yes, there is definately more base with 8's. You can almost run them without a sub. The sound between the 2's and 8's is all in the base, otherwise, it's pretty much the same. I run a JL Fathom for a sub, and I will say that I notice a gap between the sub and the 2's when I have the crossover at 80 Hz. The sub is almost too low for them even at low volumes. The JL integrates seamlessly with the 8's.

The S2's are very impressive for a bookshelf. I'd take them over my Studio 100's, but if I had to do things over again and couldn't have 8's, I think I would try to get the S4's. 4's and a good sub will get you close to the same sound as 8's alone.

 

[Yamaheart]

I have v2 S2's and S8's. Obviously the 8's are fantastic. Yes, there is definately more base with 8's. You can almost run them without a sub. The sound between the 2's and 8's is all in the base, otherwise, it's pretty much the same. I run a JL Fathom for a sub, and I will say that I notice a gap between the sub and the 2's when I have the crossover at 80 Hz. The sub is almost too low for them even at low volumes. The JL integrates seamlessly with the 8's.

The S2's are very impressive for a bookshelf. I'd take them over my Studio 100's, but if I had to do things over again and couldn't have 8's, I think I would try to get the S4's. 4's and a good sub will get you close to the same sound as 8's alone.

Thank you so much, that was almost clear to me now. So pretty much the S8 is superb. S2 is almost perfect with a sub and S4 is perfect with a sub, I am correct as this? So even the S2 blow the 100's away? And what version is the best for S4? Thanks man.

 

[oppman99]

Thank you so much, that was almost clear to me now. So pretty much the S8 is superb. S2 is almost perfect with a sub and S4 is perfect with a sub, I am correct as this? So even the S2 blow the 100's away? And what version is the best for S4? Thanks man.

I went with the 8's because I knew I would always wonder if I was missing anything with the S6's even though I have been told by someone who owns both that they sound identical. I've been enjoying my 8's for about a week now. You are correct in that the S2 is very good with a sub and I think the S4's paired with a good sub would eliminate the gap in lower frequencies between the S2's and a sub. I paid about the same for my 2's as I did for my 100's (both used). I don't know if I can say the S2's blow away the Studio 100's. It's a different sound and I prefer the sound of the Signature line due to the Be tweeter. I switched back and forth for a month or two trying to decide. The 100's are very clean and are great speakers. The S2's just have what I would call a sweeter sound. The key is a quality sub to add fullness to the sound.

As far as which version, I haven't heard the new v3's yet. Version 2 is when the Be tweeter was introduced, so I would definately go v2 or v3.

 

[Yamaheart]

So all the Signature line has Be tweeters? Man, I dont know, S8 cost too much, I like full floor stander not half like S2 or S4. The Studio 100 should do, but I heard it is not as good as Signature line. So undecided.

 

[KEW]

So all the Signature line has Be tweeters?

Close, but unfortunately, it is not that simple.
Signature v1 - no Be tweeters (I think their tweeter was very close to the current Studio v5 tweeters).
Signature v2 - all Be tweeters.
Signature v3 - all Be tweeters, except they also have the option to save money by buying the S1 with a G-PAL tweeter (the Studio v5 tweeter).

You should listen to cymbals or chimes on both the Studio (G-PAL tweeter) and the Signature Be tweeter, then you should be able to decide how important the Be tweeter is to you.

 

[Hk Chuck]

Was Looking at Paradigm Speakers web site

Close, but unfortunately, it is not that simple.
Signature v1 - no Be tweeters (I think their tweeter was very close to the current Studio v5 tweeters).
Signature v2 - all Be tweeters.
Signature v3 - all Be tweeters, except they also have the option to save money by buying the S1 with a G-PAL tweeter (the Studio v5 tweeter).

You should listen to cymbals or chimes on both the Studio (G-PAL tweeter) and the Signature Be tweeter, then you should be able to decide how important the Be tweeter is to you.

While looking I printed out the specs on the Paradign Signature S1 speakers. Since I new here are Signature v1 speakers the same a Signature S1 speakers?

If they are the same thing, the brouchure says that the S1 have Be tweeters.

 

[JerryLove]

While looking I printed out the specs on the Paradign Signature S1 speakers. Since I new here are Signature v1 speakers the same a Signature S1 speakers?

If they are the same thing, the brouchure says that the S1 have Be tweeters.

The first generation of Signatures put out were the v1 (though they have no such indication on their label.

The S2, S4, and S8

Then, several years later, a new line was put out, the v2
S2v2, S4v2, S8v2.

Now there's v3 line.
S1v3 (G-Pal), S1v3 (P-Be), S2v3, S6v3, S8v3.

There are others (like their in-walls, and centers, and ADP surrounds, and subs) but that's the short of it.

Their current v3 line is on their website: http://paradigm.com/en/reference/fronts-signature-series-2-2-17.paradigm