Choosing Speaker Quest Start Energy or Paradigm

[Thaedium]

Well its a tough call if you haven't listened to them yourself in person. It may be that you prefer the sound of the Studio's over the Veristas, and so that would justify the extra $500. However, looking at it from an entirely economical point of view, saving $500 and getting top notch speakers that sound great anyways is gravy, and will leave you that extra $500 for some other upgrades etc.

Regarding the Studio 100 v.3 vs v.4, definently a big difference. Paradigm no longer produces the v.3's, so its a bit of a non-issue in that regard. That said, they also went up in price with the v.4's, as they took some of the goodies that the Signatures had and incorperated it into the v.4's.

 

[Sheep]

Wow I should have kept an eye on this thread.

The Veritas cabinets have a coating along the walls, as well as poly fill for dampening. They both will have bracing but the Energy bass drivers actually bolt through the cabinet to the back, acting as another brace. The Energy also has a better crossover and IMO, mid and tweeter arrangement.

Remember you are comparing the top studio tower to the second highest Vertias tower. The 2.4i is the largest tower.

SheepStar

 

[Sheep]

I own the Studios, and the construct is superb. The cabinets are well built and sturdy...I see no deficiency after having owned them for three years now. Let me go on to write that after using speakers for thirty years now (B&W, Acoustic Research, Advent, Klipsch), I find their construct top notch, and you should have no concern in that department...unless you plan on dropping them regularly.

This isn't a stab at you John, but to think your studio's are free from Cabinet Coloration is far fetched. Pretty much all retail speakers (like.. 95%) have Cabinet Coloration, especially in the midrange.

Both of the mentioned speakers have cabinet coloration, but from what I've seen, the Veritas speakers go to greater lengths to reduce it.

SheepStar

 

[PENG]

Regarding the Studio 100 v.3 vs v.4, definently a big difference. Paradigm no longer produces the v.3's, so its a bit of a non-issue in that regard. That said, they also went up in price with the v.4's, as they took some of the goodies that the Signatures had and incorperated it into the v.4's.

I read about the V4 having the same tweeter as the Signatures. Can someone confirm that claim? If true, it may well worth that extra $500. I did find the V3 a little more grainer than the Veritas when playing the violin. The Signature's tweeter should be enough to trump the Veritas, not by much according to my ears but enough to justify the price difference.

 

[PENG]

I can buy Veritas cheaper online than Studio. I was also leaning towards Studio but then I also heard a lot of good things about Veritas and some excellent review too, so price different of $500 alone in 2.3i and 100 was forcing me towards Veritas i.

So you guys thhink that price difference of $500 is worth for Studio 100 alone let forget the whom set?

According to this review (http://www.avrev.com/equip/paradigm_reference_studio/index.html)
done back in May 2007, the retail price for the Studio 100 V4 was $2,499 a pair. I assume the street price/online price may be lower.

If you can buy the Veritas 2.3i online for $500 less, then I assume the price will be less than $1,999 a pair. That is incredible, do they come with full warranty? I paid more than $3,000 in Canada for the Veritas.

I don't know what the Studio goes for in Canada now but it shouldn't be more than the $2,499 quoted in the review, now that C$=US$ and the speakers are made right here in Ontario.

 

[ManishKasera]

According to this review (http://www.avrev.com/equip/paradigm_reference_studio/index.html)
done back in May 2007, the retail price for the Studio 100 V4 was $2,499 a pair. I assume the street price/online price may be lower.

If you can buy the Veritas 2.3i online for $500 less, then I assume the price will be less than $1,999 a pair. That is incredible, do they come with full warranty? I paid more than $3,000 in Canada for the Veritas.

I don't know what the Studio goes for in Canada now but it shouldn't be more than the $2,499 quoted in the review, now that C$=US$ and the speakers are made right here in Ontario.

I also moved to Toronto, Canada, from where did you buy your speakers? Prices here are crazy. I do not understand speakers are made in Canada and still the prices are more than US. I can get 2.3i online in USA for $2099.
Prices in Canada are ridiculously more. You pay more taxes and more on that prices are high ;-(

Could you tell me some nice shops in Mississauga, Brampton area where I can audition.

 

[Thaedium]

I read about the V4 having the same tweeter as the Signatures. Can someone confirm that claim? If true, it may well worth that extra $500. I did find the V3 a little more grainer than the Veritas when playing the violin. The Signature's tweeter should be enough to trump the Veritas, not by much according to my ears but enough to justify the price difference.

No the tweeter isn't the same unfortunately. The Signatures are using a pure-beryllium dome, whereas the studios are using a G-PAL (Gold-Anodized Pure-Aluminum) dome. This is what Paradigm has to say regarding the p-be, "Although far more expensive, the new dome material was chosen for its exceptional mechanical properties: lighter than aluminum, with unmatched rigidity."

What came over from the Signature line to the Studio line is stuff like the Gold-Anodized Solid-Aluminum Phase Plugs. and many out of sight components designed to reduce vibrations, like the IMS/SHOCK-MOUNT.

The Studio V.3's are far behind the v.4's for performance though, I've had the opportunity to hear both and they are significantly different animals. Whatever Paradigm did, it worked out well.

Also, from what I've seen of the Signature line, they've put a lot of work into reducing distortion and resonances right at the sources themselves. When people start talking about speakers at this level, including the veristas, I think you are looking at cabinents that are pretty near inert, and its doubtful that this would be an issue affecting the sound they produce.

 

[Johnd]

This isn't a stab at you John, but to think your studio's are free from Cabinet Coloration is far fetched. Pretty much all retail speakers (like.. 95%) have Cabinet Coloration, especially in the midrange.

Both of the mentioned speakers have cabinet coloration, but from what I've seen, the Veritas speakers go to greater lengths to reduce it.

SheepStar

Not at all Sheep...I'm sure your input is appreciated by all her.

I have never heard the Energys, but I've run my 'digms through the mill for three years now. Paradigm has come out with a v4 and Signature series. I am not wanting.

My 100's are incredibly neutral, have an abundance of headroom at the low end (though I don't really need it with my servo 15 ), and are crisp...clean as a whistle and clear as a bell. Perhaps a small case is to be made about the midrange, but I'm not selling the ranch...I am unpersuaded. I love my studios!

 

[Johnd]

Well its a tough call if you haven't listened to them yourself in person. It may be that you prefer the sound of the Studio's over the Veristas, and so that would justify the extra $500. However, looking at it from an entirely economical point of view, saving $500 and getting top notch speakers that sound great anyways is gravy, and will leave you that extra $500 for some other upgrades etc.

Regarding the Studio 100 v.3 vs v.4, definently a big difference. Paradigm no longer produces the v.3's, so its a bit of a non-issue in that regard. That said, they also went up in price with the v.4's, as they took some of the goodies that the Signatures had and incorperated it into the v.4's.

This is not directed at you Thaedium, but your post is an easy target as you are the last one to fail to mention a discount for Paradigm. Why does everyone keep pronouncing a 20% discount for the Energys, and none for the Studios? While it is true the v3's have fallen out of production, I picked mine up for 1/2 of msrp well before the v4's arrived. I don't know what kind of deals are available now with the deflated dollar, but to keep it on a level field, either we need to compare msrps, or street price...not one of each. Capiche?

 

[Thaedium]

No problem Johnd. Yeah, I never mentioned it on this thread but in another thread I have mentioned that you can get discounts on Paradigms. And in general I was referring to the msrp regarding the v.4's. I haven't seen too many Studio v.4's on many sites like ebay, audiogon, canuck audio mart, etc just yet because they are so new to the market. I think its fairly obvious that Paradigm has changed some things up in how they operate and how they market their products now. Just look at their website as a prime example, they used to list MSRP's of their speakers, and now they've gone with no listed prices whatsoever. Kind of the philosphy many fancy-rich restraunts go with on their menus (no listed prices).

That said, I got my Studio 100 v.4's on ebay for $1900, in mint condition. You just never know whats out there unless you look.

 

[Warpdrv]

The only part of the tweeter that was handed down from the old discontinued Sig line was the Gold Dome, not the entire tweeter... The Signature is a far more heavily designed tweeter, as well as the other items listed....

I have heard both the Energy 2.4i, and the Studio's when I was on the market, and I loved the Energy sound, but my room is huge and I felt I was getting more for my money with the Studio's... As I thought the bigger speaker was more important, and I really liked the looks of the Studio's better as well... great asthetics...

Both are great speakers, and you won't be disappointed with either..

Now I have had the Studio's for over a year, and they Rock Hard !!! But they are bright... I have to EQ that brightness out, although my room is very bright as well, and I feel that has alot to do with it...

I just recently bought the new SVS - MTS system, and I have to say, they are fantastic... not as bright to me, just a smoother sound, but not lacking in detail in the tweeter, which is extremely important to me, where soft dome tweeters usually sound muddy or muffled in that department... Unfortunately the new LTS line won't be out until late '08 or early '09, I am very interested in what they come up with...

 

[PENG]

I also moved to Toronto, Canada, from where did you buy your speakers?

I bought mine from Soundstage Fine Audio in Waterloo. At the time the C$ was lower, at around 0.85 if I remember correctly. That explains in part why I paid so much for them.

I don't know where you can buy them in Brampton or Mississauga but you can go to the website and find out.

http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/dealer/index.php

Note their warning about unauthorized dealers who claimed to be authorized.

 

[Thaedium]

Can't remember the name of the store, but I know for a fact there is one in Kitchener as well, though I guess Waterloo pretty much is the same place

 

[Sheep]

Not at all Sheep...I'm sure your input is appreciated by all her.

I have never heard the Energys, but I've run my 'digms through the mill for three years now. Paradigm has come out with a v4 and Signature series. I am not wanting.

My 100's are incredibly neutral, have an abundance of headroom at the low end (though I don't really need it with my servo 15 ), and are crisp...clean as a whistle and clear as a bell. Perhaps a small case is to be made about the midrange, but I'm not selling the ranch...I am unpersuaded. I love my studios!

But that's just it. You probably have never heard a resonance free speaker, neither have I. You have nothing to compare it to. But they're out there. I am trying to get out to hear some higher end B&Ws, but I only have 1 free day a week.

SheepStar

 

[ManishKasera]

I guess so the brands and speakers I have chosen are good and I should go out and hear both of these.

I never heard the Studio 100 v4, so it will be interesting to compare them with Veritas 2.3i.

 

[billy p]

I guess so the brands and speakers I have chosen are good and I should go out and hear both of these.

I never heard the Studio 100 v4, so it will be interesting to compare them with Veritas 2.3i.

You should also audition the the RC 70's? They don't have the overall balance of the Veritas 2.3's or 2.4's but are very comparable and cost less then the Digms or Veritas. John Techilinguirian was the designer behind both speakers and he designed the RC's with todays home theater enthusiast in mind.

Happy hunting, Billy P

 

[ManishKasera]

I will definitely hear RC while I will be auditioning Veritas.

Is there any online place where i can buy Studio on great price? I did not have any luck finding where I can find any significant price difference. If there is any Canadian site that will be even better.

Thanks.

 

[PENG]

I will definitely hear RC while I will be auditioning Veritas.

Is there any online place where i can buy Studio on great price? I did not have any luck finding where I can find any significant price difference. If there is any Canadian site that will be even better.

Thanks.

I doubt you will find any online site for the Veritas or Studios. In Ontario you will likely get better deals with the Pardigms while in the states the Veritas may have bigger discounts. Its all about supply and demand. Energy may be slightly better known in Ontario. The Energy 22 was selected to be the Reference model for the NRC and the CBC 25 years ago. In the states I would think that Pardigm has an edge because the same company also make the highly regarded Anthem and the fact that most dealers showcase the Anthem amps/preamps/prepros, Studios, and Signatures etc. whereas Energy dealers can sell either Energy or Veritas but not both. As a result, Paradigms are probably much more well known in the U.S. I believe all these factors contributed to the higher prices for Veritas (relative to the Studios) in Canada and higher prices for the Paradigms in the U.S.

 

[Sheep]

Energy dealers can sell either Energy or Veritas but not both

This is false, I have been to many stores that carry all the Energy lines.

SheepStar

 

[PENG]

This is false, I have been to many stores that carry all the Energy lines.

SheepStar

I have been to a few but I only asked one of them, who told me he could not sell the Veritas. Obviously I should have asked the others why they didn't sell both. Thanks for the correction.