Customary newbie question: Paradigm Monitor 7 or JBL ES 80?

[Jappy]

Hi,

This is my first post, but I have read this forum and other similar ones until my eyes bleeds ;-)

I'm trying to put together a decent HT system for around 2000$-2500$ (OK, maybe 2600$...)

Anyway, I wouldn't say I am an audiophile compared to some of you guys, but I do love music a lot. I am myself a musician (bass player) so musical definition is important to me. I Have to be able to hear clearely every instrument in a song. I like clear middle, well-defined basslines. Mostly Rock music (if this set could only play Led Zepplin's How the West was Won perfectly it would be worth the $$$)...

Of course, I also want a good system for movies...

Anyway, in my procerange, I am considering 2 set of speakers:

Paradigm
Monitor 7 (x2)
CC290 (center)
ADP190 (x2 surround)
PDR10 (sub)

JBL
ES80 (x2)
ES25 (center)
ES20 (x2 surround)
ES250 (sub)


I can get the JBL kit for about 400$ less than the paradigm kit. I have used JBL's on stage and liked them, but have no experience with their HT speakers. However, I did listen to the Paradigms (only fronts with a mismatched sub) in a store and liked them a lot, especially compared with the stores's Klipsch.

Thanks for the help!

 

[fredk]

I Have to be able to hear clearely every instrument in a song. I like clear middle, well-defined basslines

Go back into the store with some music you are familiar with and ask to compare the Monitor 7 to something in the studio line and see if you feel the same way about the Monitor 7. I think you could do better for your money.

I have not heard the JBLs.

 

[3db]

With the two choices listed, I would go with paradigm over the JBLs

Between PSB IMage series and Paradigm's Monitor series, PSB Image series hands down

If your budget can afford Paradigm's Studio series, go for them.

Other speakers you maywant to consider in Paradigms studio price range is Totem.

 

[Jappy]

I'm definetly opened to other speakers... My listening choices are limited here: I live in a small town in Canada.

I forgot to say that my budget was with receiver. If you have suggestions for speakers around 1700$-2000$, I'm all ears.

I think the studio line is more expensive not?

 

[fredk]

Yes, the studio line is more expensive. Are you within driving distance of a larger center? PSB is pretty widely available and, as 3db mentioned, highly regarded.

I was surprised how much more clear the studios (I listened to the 20, 40 and 60) were than the Monitor 7. Others have found the Monitor 11 to be quite a good speaker so you might try comparing the 7 and the 11 if you can.

If you are willing to look at internet direct, the Axiom M60 or AV123 Rocket 850 are considerably less expensive than equivilant speakers in the studio line but get you most of the way there in sound quality.

There are lots of choices, but it sounds like finding them in your area may be a challenge.

 

[Jappy]

Thanks Fredk! I didn't know Axiom were in Canada so I can get shipping and 30 days trys... I'm willing to give them a try. I'll research them a little bit and may end up ordering a set!

 

[zumbo]

JBL is a no.

Paradigms low end is ok.

A member here just went through a similar situation. He auditioned Aperion, Paradigm, KEF, PSB, B&W, and Totem. After much extensive listening, he went with Totem. They are Canadian.

http://www.totemacoustic.com/us/

 

[Jappy]

I found a Totem dealer in Quebec City. I,ll go listen-in this weekend. Do you know what kind of dough I'm looking at spending for those?

 

[3db]

I found a Totem dealer in Quebec City. I,ll go listen-in this weekend. Do you know what kind of dough I'm looking at spending for those?

Totem are generally more expensive than Paradigm and most of their models are low efficient low impedance designs. However, I find them to be a notch up in terms of performance compared to Paradigms and PSB.

Axiom, Paradigm, PSB, Totem, Mirage, Athena (the last two were bought by Klipsch) are all Canadian speaker manufacturers. There are others too like Sinclair, Gershwin, Focus Audio, etc that are Candian as well. There are probbaly close to twenty Canadian speaker manufacturers.

 

[fredk]

The Totems I auditioned were all up in the Studio price range. They did sound good, but these were among the first speakers I listened to and it was with unfamiliar material. They were out of my price range though.

Jappy. Check out the Hearing Things forum at Axiom and see if there is someone in your area that will let you audition their speakers.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=9&page=1

Quebec City is big enough that you should be able to find a PSB dealer (another Canadian company) as well.