Considering a Change in Equipment

[ljaggers]

I currently own a pair of BIC DV64s which are full range 6.5" speakers. I have been taking up quite an interest in Paradigm lately and have been considering swapping the DV64s with the Paradigm Atom 5.25" bookshelves. Obviously this would be a step down in size but hopefully a step up in quality.

I have also read that the Atoms are very "power efficient" (meaning less power can drive them at adequate volume levels.) This would be nice because I own a relatively low-powered receiver.

What do you guys think?! Please offer any suggestions/opinions on the validity of this decision and if you know anything about the Atom bookshelves. Thank you very much!

 

[ljaggers]

Thanks for all your input! This has greatly helped me in my decision making process....

 

[GlocksRock]

I think you should do it, Paradigms are very nice.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Have you listened to the Paradigm Atoms and compared them to other bookshelf speakers like Aperion & NHT (both give you free S/H both-ways on their 30-day trial)?

SVS is another one, but you have to pay for the return shipping.

 

[JerryLove]

Ohh... passive-aggressive sarcasam. Let me jump up to help!!!

 

[highfigh]

Never saw the thread before now.

Patience, Grasshopper.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Speaker swaps are the biggest chance to make a difference in your rig. I went from some pretty heavy duty towers to Quad 12L actives and while the sound quality is the same or better with the monitors, I gave up ALOT in the lower end, including the mid bass and it is a pretty big diff, especially since I can't afford a sub right now.
What is it about your towers you don't like? What is your budget? The more cash you can save towards the purchase, the better the return. Many, including myself, make impulse buys because we "want it now" whereas patience and the ability to save and take the time to buy it right the first time makes all the difference. The atoms have gotten a lot of press and buzz, but they are still economy speakers wrapped in vinyl. Once again, what is your budget, and at this price point a couple hundred bucks more can make a big difference so your ability to wait and save is a good point to ponder.
I agree with J. Love.- the sarcasm isn't the way to get good service for free.

 

[speakerman39]

I currently own a pair of BIC DV64s which are full range 6.5" speakers. I have been taking up quite an interest in Paradigm lately and have been considering swapping the DV64s with the Paradigm Atom 5.25" bookshelves. Obviously this would be a step down in size but hopefully a step up in quality.

I have also read that the Atoms are very "power efficient" (meaning less power can drive them at adequate volume levels.) This would be nice because I own a relatively low-powered receiver.

What do you guys think?! Please offer any suggestions/opinions on the validity of this decision and if you know anything about the Atom bookshelves. Thank you very much!

Why not just take your BIC speakers with you into your local Paradigm dealer and compare them directly? What better way is there? Or, perhaps buy the Atoms and take them home to audition them there. Most Paradigm dealers are very lenient with respect to their return policy. Only YOU can decide what works best for YOU. To be candid, I love the Paradigm Atoms. Very nice speaker and a big bang for your buck imho. Good luck in your decision.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

ljaggers made any decision yet? Just curious as to whether or not you took your BIC speakers in to your local Paradigm dealer to compare them directly. My local Paradigm dealer knows me quite well and would have no problem allowing me to do so. Please let us know what you decided and how you came to your conclusion.




Cheers,

Phil

 

[ljaggers]

ljaggers made any decision yet? Just curious as to whether or not you took your BIC speakers in to your local Paradigm dealer to compare them directly. My local Paradigm dealer knows me quite well and would have no problem allowing me to do so. Please let us know what you decided and how you came to your conclusion.


Hey guys thanks and sorry for the delay. Crazy ice storm here in OKC. The local Paradigm dealer here finally got a pair of atoms in to demo (Their selection was quite scarce) The salesman let me first listen to them while watching "Horton Hears a Who"–(Is it just me or is that not the best reference material?) He then put on the soundtrack for "Dark Knight" which really caught my attention. I'm simply in love you guys.

My wife starts working as a nurse in may and I have already gotten permission from her highness to make the swap.

Can anyone explain to me why midbass is so impressive with most Paradigm speakers? The salesman kept talking about it but I think he was full of it.

 

[ljaggers]

Ohh... passive-aggressive sarcasam. Let me jump up to help!!!

Sorry about that. I'm an angsty 24-year-old.

 

[Boerd]

Can anyone explain to me why midbass is so impressive with most Paradigm speakers? The salesman kept talking about it but I think he was full of it.

Drivers are of good quality; the crossover points are such they use each driver in the optimal range (no strain); these (Paradigm) speakers usually sound effortless.
Try NHT and SVT - they're also very good.

 

[ljaggers]

Drivers are of good quality; the crossover points are such they use each driver in the optimal range (no strain); these (Paradigm) speakers usually sound effortless.
Try NHT and SVT - they're also very good.

Have you ever heard of speaker manufacturers allowing for some overlap in their crossover modules? This something the salesman told me was the sign of a good speaker.

 

[KASR]

Ohh... passive-aggressive sarcasam. Let me jump up to help!!!

Jerry was just waiting for TWO weeks to pass before offering his input! LOL!

 

[speakerman39]

ljaggers made any decision yet? Just curious as to whether or not you took your BIC speakers in to your local Paradigm dealer to compare them directly. My local Paradigm dealer knows me quite well and would have no problem allowing me to do so. Please let us know what you decided and how you came to your conclusion.


Hey guys thanks and sorry for the delay. Crazy ice storm here in OKC. The local Paradigm dealer here finally got a pair of atoms in to demo (Their selection was quite scarce) The salesman let me first listen to them while watching "Horton Hears a Who"–(Is it just me or is that not the best reference material?) He then put on the soundtrack for "Dark Knight" which really caught my attention. I'm simply in love you guys.

My wife starts working as a nurse in may and I have already gotten permission from her highness to make the swap.

Can anyone explain to me why midbass is so impressive with most Paradigm speakers? The salesman kept talking about it but I think he was full of it.

Some speaker designers design in a "bump" in the upper midbass region resulting in the perception of so called "good bass response" if you will. However, one has to be careful when dealing with room peaks so not to rob oneself of a flat response. I am by no means an expert, but there are other hear cough cough like Wmax and Jost that can explain this better than I can. Feel free to shoot them a PM as I am sure they will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. As far as the Atoms go, I am extremely impressed with the imaging capabilities. In fact, one of the best I have heard for the money so to speak. Good luck in your final decision, as well as, dealing with the snow! We have some coming in too. Personally, I am more than ready for Spring.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[jostenmeat]

Phil, I thank you for your first two sentences, but putting Chris and I in the same sentence regarding speaker design, is well, I don't even know how to put it.

There are others that know much more than I here. hahahaha. Thanks though, I appreciate the respect, but I just got to say that.

Maybe Swerd. Ya know, I've been thinking for a long time now, how no.5 hasn't been around, he's pretty smawt. TLS Guy goes without saying.

Me = speaker design noob. ok, i've set it straight, carry on.

 

[ljaggers]

Phil, I thank you for your first two sentences, but putting Chris and I in the same sentence regarding speaker design, is well, I don't even know how to put it.

There are others that know much more than I here. hahahaha. Thanks though, I appreciate the respect, but I just got to say that.

Maybe Swerd. Ya know, I've been thinking for a long time now, how no.5 hasn't been around, he's pretty smawt. TLS Guy goes without saying.

Me = speaker design noob. ok, i've set it straight, carry on.

Well either way you are all considerably more knowledgable than I am. It seems that speaker technology is an incredibly deep field that you could study for years and still not know everything. Thank you for all of your input.

That statement about the midbase "bump" makes a lot of sense...I think