Bookshelf comparasion Paradigm vs Polk

[chicomoralessxm]

Has anyone compared these to speakers
RTI6 from polk and the Paradigm Monitor 3 or the Focus (performance series)
These are the unfortunately the two nearest dealors in my region.
Which of these is the more versatile speaker. Music wise my budget is 400-500. could speand more. I've owned polk and klipsch before 2 very different speakers ear wise but enoy the variation. Listen to many genres of music jazz classical salsa reggae techno alternative etc. will be using either a int. amp or 2 channel reciever. and thoughts appreciated immensely. thanks in advance

chico

 

[mike c]

try to listen to B&W 602 series 3 (around 500 bucks)

 

[emorphien]

I'd also recommend PSB. They're another good bang for the buck speaker.

 

[speakerman39]

Has anyone compared these to speakers
RTI6 from polk and the Paradigm Monitor 3 or the Focus (performance series)
These are the unfortunately the two nearest dealors in my region.
Which of these is the more versatile speaker. Music wise my budget is 400-500. could speand more. I've owned polk and klipsch before 2 very different speakers ear wise but enoy the variation. Listen to many genres of music jazz classical salsa reggae techno alternative etc. will be using either a int. amp or 2 channel reciever. and thoughts appreciated immensely. thanks in advance

chico

I am very familiar w/the Polk Rti6 and the Paradigm Mini v.3/4 as well as the Monitor 3 v.3/4. Can't help you much with the Focus. IMHO, the Rti6 is better than the Mini and the Monitor 3 because the midbass is so much tighter and more refined. Both the Mini and the Monitor 3 have midbass that is a bit on the boomy/sloppy side. The Rti6 has a better top end as well with a bit more extension and not as harsh sounding as the Mini and the Monitor 3 especially at higher volume levels. Be sure to check out the Psb B25 and the Ascend Acoustics 170SE. Both are very well received. If you go Paradigm stepping up to the Reference Line is a HUGE step-up from the Monitor series altogether. Therfore, the Rti6 is better than both the Mini and the Mon 3 BUT not near as good as the Studio 20v.3. Someone mention the B&W 602s3 and I would have to agree that also is a speaker that is better than the Rti6. Of course this is just my opinion and you may prefer a different type of sound than I. That is, I have a tendency to prefer a speaker that is a bit agressive, yet is very detailed and articulate resulting in an over all refined sound. Happy Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chicomoralessxm]

try to listen to B&W 602 series 3 (around 500 bucks)

would love to but no dealor nearby but i'll see what i can do

 

[chicomoralessxm]

I'd also recommend PSB. They're another good bang for the buck speaker.

Oddly enough i never really like the look of the psb which model would you recommend??? never even heard them in an addition before

 

[chicomoralessxm]

I am very familiar w/the Polk Rti6 and the Paradigm Mini v.3/4 as well as the Monitor 3 v.3/4. Can't help you much with the Focus. IMHO, the Rti6 is better than the Mini and the Monitor 3 because the midbass is so much tighter and more refined. Both the Mini and the Monitor 3 have midbass that is a bit on the boomy/sloppy side. The Rti6 has a better top end as well with a bit more extension and not as harsh sounding as the Mini and the Monitor 3 especially at higher volume levels. Be sure to check out the Psb B25 and the Ascend Acoustics 170SE. Both are very well received. If you go Paradigm stepping up to the Reference Line is a HUGE step-up from the Monitor series altogether. Therfore, the Rti6 is better than both the Mini and the Mon 3 BUT not near as good as the Studio 20v.3. Someone mention the B&W 602s3 and I would have to agree that also is a speaker that is better than the Rti6. Of course this is just my opinion and you may prefer a different type of sound than I. That is, I have a tendency to prefer a speaker that is a bit agressive, yet is very detailed and articulate resulting in an over all refined sound. Happy Hunting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the input sman I'm actually leaning toward the polks myself. I enjoy their sound some say its a bit 'coloured' but not bright like the rf line up from klipsch. I would love the a pair of the studio 20 but they are like 700+ for that i'd rather get a pair of floorstanding speakers but then again space is an issue. have you ever heard the monitor 5 with twin drivers??? ijust double checked and i saw the the dealor in PR does carry psb how much does that model go for in the states?? and would you pic that over the polk??? i can get the rti6's for 320 plus shipping

 

[emorphien]

Oddly enough i never really like the look of the psb which model would you recommend??? never even heard them in an addition before

Interesting you don't like the look, they kind of look like a cross between Paradigm Monitor series and the Paradigm Signature series to me.

I'd check out the Image B25 (I think that's the name). It's in the $480 range and sounds very good and gets some good reviews as well. I've listened to it and was impressed.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

actually i'm busy reading a review now thanks for the info. They could grow on you maybe my feelings were some what premature in observation. I think its the maple finish do you know if they are vinyl or veneer finish?? did what did you audition them against??? polks paradigm maybe???

 

[emorphien]

actually i'm busy reading a review now thanks for the info. They could grow on you maybe my feelings were some what premature in observation. I think its the maple finish do you know if they are vinyl or veneer finish?? did what did you audition them against??? polks paradigm maybe???

I'm going mainly off of reviews since I haven't done a proper A-B comparison to other things yet except for much more expensive (2x the price almost) Focal speakers.

Yes, the Focals were better but for $480ish the PSBs are really great.

 

[farscaper]

I own a pair of PSB Image B25. I found them less harsh then the Paradigm Studio 20s. Don't get me wrong, love the Paradigms but I do listen to hours of music and the Studios were too harsh/precise (or however you normally describe it) for me. I have not doubted my decision. They are worth a listen.

 

[billy p]

I myself haven't heard the psb line either. One of the members explained their sound to me. "It's like your there, nodding your head and not hearing the sound(too bright) but there it is, sweet!! " The psb line he was describing was the image series.

 

[tonay]

Hi

I auditioned Focal's and PSB head to head at the same price level around $500. The Focal Chorus 705's below away the PSB. The prior comment about the PSB being on but not hearing them was very true. The focal's on the other hand seemed alive - and this was the lowest of the line. Now that they are D/C'ed w/ the 700V and 800V series they are very cheap on ebay ($400 for a pair of 707's).

My audition on paradigm was so piss poor I can't believe they could sound as bad as they did and have so many great comments and recommendations. This was the first time a dealer actually pushed the speaker beyond it's capabilites (studio 20's) and made it fail while I'm listening to it. For some reason "lord of the dance" type music was choosen for me to hear and the speaker couldn't handle the bass of the foot stomps (as it shouldn't cause it's a bookshelf) and would "fart" for lack of a better term. Something like the sound from a Caddy w/ way to much over extended bass in the car next to you at a stop light. At this point he asks me if I like my music low or loud - I say "medium" and he actually turned it up. I was flabbergasted.

Focal's will be my purchase

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks for the input sman I'm actually leaning toward the polks myself. I enjoy their sound some say its a bit 'coloured' but not bright like the rf line up from klipsch. I would love the a pair of the studio 20 but they are like 700+ for that i'd rather get a pair of floorstanding speakers but then again space is an issue. have you ever heard the monitor 5 with twin drivers??? ijust double checked and i saw the the dealor in PR does carry psb how much does that model go for in the states?? and would you pic that over the polk??? i can get the rti6's for 320 plus shipping

The Rti6 is a good sounding speaker. Personally, I am NOT a fan of Klipsch speakers due to the horn tweeter. Never heard the Paradigm Monitor 5's but have the Monitor 7's and all I can say is that the Monitor 7 v.3/4 are awesome. By the time you buy the Monitor 5's and some stands you might as well get the 7's. If space is an issue then be sure to check out the Ascend 170 SE as many claim they are as good if not better than the Studio 20's. On that same note, many people also like the Psb B25's as well as the B&W 602s3's. Personally, I have owned the Paradigm Titans, Mini's, and the Studio 20's and the 20's kicked a** if you know what I mean especially w/music applications. You just have to decide for yourself because what I prefer may not be what you prefer and so on. Just demo as many as you can and then decide. Ascend has a 30-day money back guarantee if you do not like them. What do you have to lose? Good luck.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

The Rti6 is a good sounding speaker. Personally, I am NOT a fan of Klipsch speakers due to the horn tweeter. Never heard the Paradigm Monitor 5's but have the Monitor 7's and all I can say is that the Monitor 7 v.3/4 are awesome. By the time you buy the Monitor 5's and some stands you might as well get the 7's. If space is an issue then be sure to check out the Ascend 170 SE as many claim they are as good if not better than the Studio 20's. On that same note, many people also like the Psb B25's as well as the B&W 602s3's. Personally, I have owned the Paradigm Titans, Mini's, and the Studio 20's and the 20's kicked a** if you know what I mean especially w/music applications. You just have to decide for yourself because what I prefer may not be what you prefer and so on. Just demo as many as you can and then decide. Ascend has a 30-day money back guarantee if you do not like them. What do you have to lose? Good luck.

Hye thanks for the suggustion. Its true we all have different tastes in some respects, but experience i dont really have with all those brands and sounds. I would love love to demo the paradigm and the reviews on ascend psb seem good as well only prob is no dealor nearby. my constraints are more with space right now so i'm leaning toward the bookshelves. studio 20's look nice but how do they sound impressive depending on how or what your ears like. But i might get them as my second pair of speakers my choices are basically the polks which i can get for 320+ or the monitor 3's $500 and now well i'm seriously consider the psb b25.

 

[Seth=L]

The Studio 20s sound like larger speakers than they are, but they are an aquired taste. I don't like the latest versions. Studio 20 V.1 was my favorite.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Hi

I auditioned Focal's and PSB head to head at the same price level around $500. The Focal Chorus 705's below away the PSB. The prior comment about the PSB being on but not hearing them was very true. The focal's on the other hand seemed alive - and this was the lowest of the line. Now that they are D/C'ed w/ the 700V and 800V series they are very cheap on ebay ($400 for a pair of 707's).

My audition on paradigm was so piss poor I can't believe they could sound as bad as they did and have so many great comments and recommendations. This was the first time a dealer actually pushed the speaker beyond it's capabilites (studio 20's) and made it fail while I'm listening to it. For some reason "lord of the dance" type music was choosen for me to hear and the speaker couldn't handle the bass of the foot stomps (as it shouldn't cause it's a bookshelf) and would "fart" for lack of a better term. Something like the sound from a Caddy w/ way to much over extended bass in the car next to you at a stop light. At this point he asks me if I like my music low or loud - I say "medium" and he actually turned it up. I was flabbergasted.

Focal's will be my purchase

I always like the jm speakers but their price kinda ran me the 800's look sweet!! right now my main thing is finding a versatile speaker for music mainly. soif they are with in my budget i will consider them thanks as well how do the polks compare to the focal which one are you reccomending the the 7070 or 705?? and what are their prices???

 

[emorphien]

What is your budget again? The 806 V's are $800 a pair, the 807 V's are $1000 a pair.

You could step down to the 700 V series (I don't know what all the models are though). I'm sure those are quite good still, and certainly going to be less money.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

The Studio 20s sound like larger speakers than they are, but they are an aquired taste. I don't like the latest versions. Studio 20 V.1 was my favorite.

Might seem odd but what don't you like about the version 3 20's??? as compared to their predecessor. I understand from a dealor there is a new version coming out he was trying to sell me a pair of demo versions. Dont have that much yet to spend. are the 20's harsh like klipsch kinda hard not the same i guess since they use a horn tweeter but a more in your face sound??

 

[chicomoralessxm]

What is your budget again? The 806 V's are $800 a pair, the 807 V's are $1000 a pair.

You could step down to the 700 V series (I don't know what all the models are though). I'm sure those are quite good still, and certainly going to be less money.

ouch too much for me right now i'd go as far 500 for now. i see on the site the 706 and 705