Hard time pulling the trigger; B&W DM601 vs. Paradigm Studio 20

[corysmith01]

I'm posting this more to get opinions, not statements of fact I suppose. I'd just like to see what others would do in my situation.

The situation is this. I'm currrently using B&W DM601 s3's as my main speakers. Great speakers, in my opinion. The only thing I find them lacking is low end. If I ever set my receiver to direct mode (2 speakers, no sub), they tend to sound a little thin, a little wimpy. But their clarity is fantastic. Since buying them, I've auditioned a number of others, moving up the line a little and came across the Paradigm Studio 20. I loved these speakers when I heard them, and though different from my B&W's, I thought they were fantastic. But at $800/pr, they were a little out of my league.

So today, I'm at the Paradigm leader and he makes me, what I believe, is an incredible offer. He'll sell me a pair of the Studio 20's, brand new in the box, for $675. I flipped. That really brought the price in to a more attainable area, especially considering I could sell my 601's and put that money towards them.

However, I'm also aware that I, like many, am a big "upgradeitis" person...alwasy looking for the next thing....within reason that is. For instance, I recently upgraded my receiver to a Marantz SR8400 cause I got if for $575...seemed like a no brainer. That said, I don't have the money to just go around willy-nilly with my money. But if something special comes along...

That's what this seems to be. What would you guys do? I mean, is this a fantastic deal on a speaker that would certainly outperform my B&W's. Sound-wise, I like them better, BUT...do I like them $250 more better? I don't know. At $800, they'd certainly not be a consideration, but $675 has given me a moment for pause. Now, keep in mind, these are the two I like...so please refrain from suggestions that pertain to taking that $675 and spending them on another. We all have different tastes, and I know these are 2 pairs I've been exceedingly happy with. So what's the deal? Is this a deal too good to pass up....or should I leave well enough alone stick with the B&W's? Just curious. Thanks for the input.

 

[jimmit]

Of course the ball is in your court but if I were you (knowing what I know about the Studio 20's; I own them) I'd jump on it. You'd be getting 15% off and that is about what most Paradigm dealers should be willing to give. IMO they are worth every penny of the $800 MSRP. The $675 will provide you with a significant upgrade for the money. Not that your B&W's are not good speakers -- but the Studio 20's are, IMHO, in a different league. Finally, I don't think they will disappoint you with respect to the bass; they are very robust and their low end is pretty decent for as small as they are.

 

[corysmith01]

Thanks for the reply jimmit. Yeah, I think this is really just an exercise in justification. I've stretched my fiancé pretty thin with the "this is the last thing I'll buy, I promise" line, which, of course is never true. But with these, it just seemed like a really good deal. I agree with you about the "another league" comment. I sort of thought that already having read the the Studio line is, in terms of B&W, more in sync with the 700 series and possibly the Nautilus 800 line to a degree...but at a significantly lower price point. My next upgrade, following the B&W lineage and my ability to only purchase bookshelves (WAF) was a pair of 705's. But those will run you $1500...and my ears tell me that I actually like the Studio 20's MUCH better and at half the cost.

I'm starting to think this is a worthy upgrade, and not a knee-jerk reaction.

While I'm talking about it, I used to own some Paradigm Monitor 5's and ended up returning them. The sound was adequate-to-good, but I was really let down by the fit and finish of the line...I found it lacking when compared to my B&W's. However, when taking the time to look at the Studio 20's again, I was blown away. Not only do they sound fantastic, but they look fantastic to boot.

Thanks again.

 

[jimmit]

You're welcome Cory. When I was speaker shopping, I too gave a listen to the B&W 705's. I loved them; thought they sounded better than the Studio 20's -- but not "twice as better." My impression was that they sounded perhaps 15% better but at almost twice the cost, it was a no brainer for me. If you go with the Studio 20's, I think you'll be very happy with them.

 

[KrisJ]

Check out the Monitor Audio Silver S & RS speakers. When I was looking for speakers I loved the sound of them more than the B&W 600 series or Paradigm Studios.

 

[Slice]

Cory -
Just a thought...

What are your long-term plans, system-wise? Would you eventually assign these speakers into surround duty?

If so, and as you like Paradigm & B&W best, why not audition other larger speakers in those lines that you might eventually want as mains & center? Then build your long-term system with whatever brand & series you prefer overall, beginning with 20's or DM601's.

OTOH, Studio 20's as mains with a quality sub would certainly get the job done. I'm a fan of the Paradigm sound, and am VERY happy with my Studio 5.1 system.

 

[Rotarhead69]

I find the B&W's to have a more accurate sound than the P's. That said, have you concidered getting a sub and keeping the B&W's.

 

[corysmith01]

I do have them paired with a sub currently, an SVS PB10-ISD. With that, they sound great...however, I do like to use the "source-direct" mode on my receiver (I think this is similar to "pure-direct" on Denon's) from time to time, which shuts down extraineous sources, and just sends out to my mains...I guess in a "pure" 2 channel arrangement. When I do this, that's when I notice the limitations most. While they sound very good in this set up (especially the midrange), they can't really go very low...the bass seems a bit thin. Also, I like that the Studio 20's can handle input up to 150W, vs the 601's that can do 100W...this doesn't matter now, but eventually I'd like to move into seperates with some decent power (150W-200W maybe) being sent and I worry about that limited input threshold of the 601's.

Another thing is that I've just read a lot and seems like the Studio 20's are really another level of speaker, but with minimal investment on my part, so I think that is where the majority of the temptation lies.

 

[claudermilk]

If it were me, I'd jump on that deal. I recently bought my Studio 20's and had auditioned the B&W's (IIRC they were either 601's or 603's, not certain). To me the B&W's did not compare--I felt the lows were inferior to the Studios, as you mentioned you've heard as well.

The fit & finish on the Studio's is fantastic; I got the Rosenut finish & they just disappear into the room decor.

 

[SilverMK3]

How will they fit with the rest of your system when you're not in 2ch direct mode? What do you have as a center channel?

 

[corysmith01]

Well, that's the thing...I'd have to get a cc-470 to match it up. Currently, I've got the B&W LCR60 to match my 601's, so that'd have to go to make room for the cc-470.