Paradigm sig. S8s

[BobSD]

The local audio shop has had this pair for some time, (two or three years) seems no one wants to put out that much money. These are the ones that have the beryllium domed twets, I said I would be interested only if I can hear them in my home, and they are more them happy to do that, after the Christmas rush.

So that gave some time to do some more research and read several great articles, and they gave a suggested price of $5,400 the basic cherry color, two different times, then I call another dealer and he quotes $7,200. The ones for me to hear they are asking $6,060, the cherry. The fact that I can listen to them may be worth buying them out right for the $5,400, just not sure any thoughts? Now I think about it they are 100lbs each the shipping may just bring it up to the same price?

On a side note and a little back ground, they would be replacing my definitives, the 7001s, and maybe the center as well with the Sig.C5. Now I love my definitives but as an audio nut case like me, always have to be looking for a change! I do have a quality sub-woofer, so the built in amp of the defs really may not be necessary? Only the test will tell. But one problem I am running into is with my PPP power conditioner it handles up to 1500watts and the present speakers eats up 150watts each so only one is going through the PPP, I have amps, one a power amp and one a recieiver Integra, either can eats up 1200watts, Cd players and DVD use very little power. Oh, my TV can eat up 240watts. Maybe ingnore this part mainly interested in the price of the S8s. Thaks guys for reading!

 

[Warpdrv]

I think its a fair price, but I would suggest you could beat them down a bit more. Sounds like those are the .v2 Signatures with the Be tweeter as the new line is out - the .v3 version. I am using the .v3's with .v2 C5 and S2, voicing is dead on and they pair just fine together.

I just bought a pair of the .v3 Signature S8's and I can tell you that I paid pretty close to that from my dealer. I have purchased from him before, so we have a relationship.

Personally I would haggle with him on the price, since he obviously hasn't been able to move them, but I will tell you they sound spectacular.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well, first things first - you have to love the way they sound.

I mean these S8s will have to sound better than the BP7001SCs before you will buy them.

The built-in amp of the BP7001 is just for the built-in sub. It's great for listening in 2.0 Pure Direct without the use of a subwoofer.

Those bipolar speakers are very picky when it comes to room acoustics. If your BP7001s sound great in your room, it means that you have pretty good room acoustics.

I look forward to your home-audition of those S8 compared to the BP7001SC.

 

[Warpdrv]

I look forward to your home-audition of those S8 compared to the BP7001SC.

+1, please come back and keep us posted....

 

[BobSD]

Thanks for the replys, and a I will try and find out what version the S8s are?

My acoustics are good but I am sure they can be improved upon. From where I sit I do have to raise the dec slightly for the left speaker because the distance to the right is slightly closer. The paradigm will have to sit on the same spot where the Def are maybe toed in differently will see.

Like I said I am very happy with the Defs, the wife would walk into the room and ask if that is the CD player, playing I would say no, its the Dish Network music, not to be confused with sat radio which I feel is a slight step down when comparing to two. If I get an impressive sound and not having to plug in the speakers then I'll make the switch. Funny thought, I just had my gravel drive way asphalted for seven K, I kept thinking I could get the new speakers for that money! Will report how it goes for sure, thanks again, my kind of people here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PENG]

For that kind of money any B&W fans will tell you to listen to the 803S first before replacing your speakers with the S8. The price is good though, if it is the latest version and sell as new with full warranty. In Canada we have to pay more.

 

[BobSD]

Up date of the Paradgm S8, now I should say the C5.

I decided to try the Sig.C5s first, its a little lighter at 81lbs,in the box probably 120lbs lolo, Just to get a feeling for the Paradgms verses the Def 7001s. Bringing up the 15 steps with a dolly by myself, was quite a chore for a 70 year old man, but I still work out, and no heart attack to report!lolo

I'm definitely not a writer especially when it comes to reviews, so will keep it simple, but I do come from a family of musicians, and my dad played several intruments and also a music intructor. I never wanted to take the time to learn to read music so became a amateur/professional listener.

One example if you have a poor CD, that is screechy in the high range the definitives will really make listening to that CD difficult, where as the paradgm seems to sand the edges off so to speak and make it listenable. And another way to put it, like the simple pluck of a guitar string all happening in a millisecond the Defs 7001s bring out the initial contact with the string and the paradgm bring out the warmness of the note, like "Jesse Cook" music.

So Its like a marriage made in heaven, two different blood lines and they really compliment each other. I still may try the S8, since I have the opportunity, but if they sound like the C5s, I would want to keep the Def 7001, for those jump out of the speakers moments. I am very surprised of this opinion because I really anticipated those new beryllium tweeters would bother my tinnitis, but it did not!

Hope this was helpfull and meaningful, but I bought the C5. They really must be on a stand 17inches up to get them to sound there best!

 

[BobSD]

Forgot to add, that I tried hooking up the C5 to a front speaker out put to see if the information was different, and it sounded the same.