Final Decision - Paradigm or B&W

[avliner]

Hi guys,

as previously informed, I've upgraded some of my gears, so Im' re-arranging my dedicated HT room accordingly and the only thing I need now is a good pair of BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS.

There's one AV shop close to me and they have the following brands:

B & W DM 603 - S3 and
PARADIGM MONITOR 5 V.3.

Just to give you an idea, my system is a full JBL 7.1 and I already sold the mains (towers ND 310 - ECS), as well as the sub PB-12.
Now I have an SVS PB-10 - ISD and I'm looking into a good pair of bookshelves to replace the towers, due to space limitations.

Today I've brought home the Paradigms, for a weekend auditioning and wow, what a nice sound!! They seem to match pretty much well with the JB's; therefore no timbre-matching issues foreseen.

By next week, I'll bring home the B&W's for a second and final audition, in order to pull the trigger and enjoy the new babies.
My first impression on the 'digms was nothing less than WOW!

Once everything is ready I'll post some pictures, though.

Is there any of you guys willing to chime in on this; I mean, I've read already the reviews and both are excellent, but you know, what I'm most interersted in is about the pros and cons on each model. Pricewise, they're pretty much the same.

Thanks in advance for all inputs.

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[mike c]

what's your initial impression? who's winning: B&W or Digm?

btw, based on price, isnt the monitor 5 half the price of the 603?

 

[avliner]

Hi Mike,

thanks for replying.

So far, no way to tell you who's gonna win, as I haven't yet tested the BW's, but I can tell you that I'm pretty much in love with the 'digms for the moment.

Regarding to prices, I don't know about how much the 603's are, as the local dealer doesn't carry them for the moment.
Matter of fact I'll audition their previous model (602-S3) by early next week.

One more info: I'm not gonna pay anything on the bookshelves ('digms or BW's), as I've made (I think) a good deal with a local JBL collector.
I gave mine towers (Northrigde ND 310 - ECS, which was a limited european version, made in Denmark and they perform pretty darn good). The collector will pay himself for the bookshelves (kind of a swap though).

I've just made the deal because of space limitations and that's why I'd like to have people chiming in, in order to get the best possible advise.

At this very moment, I'm listening Billy Joel in Direct Mode & DPLII X and tell you what man, those speakers rocks pretty much fine.

I have the feeling that I'm gona have a perfect blending with the SVS sub (PB-10), 'digms (as L/R mains) & the JBL's (center/SL/SR/SBL/SBR). Lets wait' n see the results with the B&W's now.

Have a nice weekend/holidays and let's get tuned for the Indy 500 tomorrow!

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[mike c]

over here the monitor 5's and 602's are about 500USD (both are bookshelves)
the 603's are about 800+USD (these are tower speakers)
the 602 and 603 belong to the same series/model which is the 600 series 3.

keep us posted!

 

[Kai]

My local shop has the 5's on display and has offered them to me for $400. I am close to grabbing them.
They sound so much better than my Titans.

 

[AMG_Roadster]

Between the B&W's and the Paradigm's I would say neither.

 

[avliner]

Got your point Roadster!

Problem is that I must choose between those 2 brands/models only.
I'm still enjoying the 'digms sound and by Wed, I'll grab the B&W's for another audition. So far, so good with the Canadians.

By that way, they do blend pretty well with the JBL's. Amazing performance!

I've found that the 'digms are 3 way and the B&W's are 2 way (perhaps that won't make much of a difference anyway), but it could be a + on my decision, if both sounds the same; who knows?

End of the line, my ears will decide, so any inputs from you guys, with much more experience will be welcome, specially in regard to the pros & cons on each model. Believe in 01 week time I'll have everything ready though.

Thanks again!
Avliner.

 

[mike c]

you got pics of the monitors?

 

[avliner]

Hi Mike,

find below one shot of the monitor 5's.
Once everything's ready, I'll post several other shots.

If you got any comments about the pros/cons on the 'digms / B&W's, just give me a shout, ok?

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[mike c]

ooh sony grand wega.

haha, im actually waiting for YOUR comments
but personally, I don't like the "look" of the monitors ... but if you are gonna keep the grills on, it doesn't matter.

I like the yellow and black contrast of the kevlar cone material against the black baffle of the B&W's.

so it depends on which sounds better.

 

[shokhead]

Hi Mike,

find below one shot of the monitor 5's.
Once everything's ready, I'll post several other shots.

If you got any comments about the pros/cons on the 'digms / B&W's, just give me a shout, ok?

Cheers / Avliner.

They seem to be abit high off the ground?

 

[avliner]

Mike,

have to agree with you that the B&W looks are more sexy, but in my case I will keep the grills on, no matter which one I'll grab.
What really matters to me is sound performance!

Below there's another shot with the 'digms with grills on, for your evaluation.

Once everything's ready, a short review should follow.

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[mike c]

will you be able to A/B them or will you return the monitors before getting the B&W's?

 

[avliner]

They seem to be abit high off the ground?

Matter of fact, they're 3ft. off the ground, perhaps a bit higher than the ideal, but still they do perform pretty darn good.

Cheers / Avliner.

 

[tritonstudio]

A pair of JMLAB chorus 707s bookshelves will sure replace the other 2. IMO

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf Options

I wouldn't rule out a pair of Axiom M22ti speakers.
Also, if you like the Paradigm monitor series, you should love a used pair of studio 20's for a comparable price on Audiogon.com.