While I don't doubt what Mark heard; I'm don't think it was a fair comparison.
With that being said. I also understand his choices may have been limited to those speakers.
He himself said the competition was twice the price.
Correct me if I'm wrong; isn't the 800 series B&W's top line?
Yes, however there are many speakers in that lineup. All of the D series are superior, and there are at least 4 towers that have those diamond tweeters. The 803S does not, but the 803D does for instance.
If so, a more even comparison would be something from the Paradigm's Signature line, like the S-8.
That may not have been possible, simply because all Paradigm dealers aren't Signature dealers.
I agree.
Since we all have different hearing, we will prefer a speaker that sounds good to us.
Not one that has the best graph, or water fall plot.
I agree again.
With all due respect to Alex's curiosity, I'm not sure what more can be learned from this thread. It seems TLS already described his audition in detail. So, he hates them, ok. And there are more Paradigm lovers here than you can shake a stick at.
Speaking of the cd he used, the 2nd is the only Sibelius symphony I own, it is one of his most famous. It is indeed brass heavy, and so a lot of brass players like this work. Unlike so many other famous composers who were pianists, Sibelius I think is the only famous (orchestral) composer whose primary instrument was stringed (violin). Speaking of, you guys have got to hear his Violin Concerto, probably my favorite of all time, pretty bad***.
I have the Heifitz recording, but the SQ is not so great. I used to have Mintz (no it wasn't, someone else with curly blondish hair, crap can't remember) playing it as well, with much better SQ, although I remember his breathing through his nose could be distracting. Both below are only first mvmt.
here is audio only of Heifitz playing in the '30s. We studied theory with the same teacher. That's as close as I'll get to his legend, so I'll take it where I can get it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hVeTY_1aLE
Ferras w/ video. I'm likin' this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Kq0qMMpgU
Here is Hilary Hahn with video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OlI0RLQJoU
I just received my bluray with Mutter playing Beethoven, after what seems like a year of deliberation over a $30 disc. I once ate my ticket after missing her play the Tchaikovsky with Philly in Boston, when the car broke down, and I had to buy the tix about 9 months in advance. I was with GF at the time of that fiasco, who actually played the Sibelius as soloist with my college orchestra.
I'm also in the middle of Kurosawa's Kagemusha, and it has been an extremely impressive movie, 2/3 in.
I like my steak as rare plus.
I hope everyone is having a nice Tuesday.
