Paradigm Studio 60 vs Kef IQ 90

[ufgator]

Anyone ever had the chance to compare these two speakers? Impossible to audition either as no one around here carries the KEFs and the Paradigm deler doesn't stock the studios, only the Monitors. Will be for a 2channel setup without a sub, music runs from alt. rock ,classic rock, mellow rock, and trance/techno. Right now I'm using some KEF IQ3s with a 10" sub but am looking to upgrade and want something with a little more dynamic punch but also has a nice clear high end.

 

[tom67]

As you can see, I own IQ3s and Studio 20s (both bookshelf units), but I have auditioned your candidates. I would pick the Paradigms everytime, especially for 2 channel stereo. I am biased in favor of Dynamic type speakers and actually prefer the Klipsch sound to the other two for that very reason. I am also 61 and my hearing has probably rolled off a bit. I do think the Paradigms would be a bit more dynamic. I like the look of the KEF drivers but not sold on the clarity of the high frequencies of their compound drivers...as always, you really need to listen yourself. Paradigms are also about as good as it gets for build quality. I use mine on the "B" speaker setting for 2 channel music only.

 

[stl1cjg]

I have not auditioned the KEF's so I cannot comment on them. However, I have auditioned everything from Klipsch, Def Tech, Paradigm, Polk, Monitor Audio, B&W, etc. The process took about a year and a half mainly because of funding. In the end, after many hours of comparative listening and many questions on this forum and others I went the Paradigm 60's v5. My original preference was 90% ht and the rest music. Now I would say that music is about 75% of what they will/and are to be used for. Speaker preference is 99% subjective. What I think sounds good my sound horrid to you. There are a ton of posts out here with alot of good useful info. Certainly, one of them can describe what you are looking for. Just remember SUBJECTIVITY.

 

[waxey]

I auditioned pretty much the same speakers as stI1cjg as I was going to replace my studio 40 v4 with the studio 60v5 and didn't think 60 v5 were that great. Don't know what your buget is but you mite like the older version v4 or v3 60 series. I ended up with studio 100 v5 over buget but worth it.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

They 40's were awesome.

I auditioned pretty much the same speakers as stI1cjg as I was going to replace my studio 40 v4 with the studio 60v5 and didn't think 60 v5 were that great. Don't know what your buget is but you mite like the older version v4 or v3 60 series. I ended up with studio 100 v5 over buget but worth it.

 

[ufgator]

Also thinking about some Sig 4's now because I see they're right about in line price wise with the Studio 60's. I know they're still bookshelves, but if they sound that much better than the 60's from everything I've read, maybe go that route and hang on to my Klipsch 10" sub a little loger and upgrade it down the road. Any thoughts on this. Again, no way to audition anything but the Monitor series.

 

[oppman99]

Also thinking about some Sig 4's now because I see they're right about in line price wise with the Studio 60's. I know they're still bookshelves, but if they sound that much better than the 60's from everything I've read, maybe go that route and hang on to my Klipsch 10" sub a little loger and upgrade it down the road. Any thoughts on this. Again, no way to audition anything but the Monitor series.

If you are looking into the Signature line, I'd actually recommend the S2's and a better sub. You don't gain that much compared to what you spend from the jump from S2's to S4's. I will tell you that my S2's outperform my v.4 Studio 100's in just about every way. You probably won't be happy with your Klipsch sub and the Paradigm Signature line. I originally had the RW-12D paired with S2's. The price difference between the 2's and 4's would be almost enough for a good SVS sub. Of course there are other worthy sub brands out there to consider. I personally love my JL sub matched with my Sigs, but it's way above your price range. Something to consider down the road possibly. If I had to do things again, I'd jump right to the Signature line. You won't regret it.

 

[ufgator]

Ok,sounds good. Now I've got to start thinking about how I'm going to power them. Don't need 7.1 , but will need something that has hdmi inputs because of my Denon 2500btci blu-ray(HDMI only). And HD decoding would be nice. Won't even be using 5.1 for awhile, but still need those HDMI hookups(3). Matbe something that would take an Emotiva amp? How 'bout the Denon 2810?

 

[AVRat]

The 3310 and up have the pre-outs to add an amp.

 

[stl1cjg]

I did not like the v4 60's. I bought the v5 studio 60's 1 year later. I am very happy with them. Again, its all subjective. I dont know if some of the signature line technology rolled down to the studio series, but the difference was night and day.

I looked at the s4's and would have bought them, however, the price of stand and additional amp put the budget way out of reach.