HELP!! B&W CM series vs. Paradigm Studio 60

[SSIM]

I'm driving myself nuts trying to choose the right speaker system.
I've prety well decided on the Marantz 7002, but I can't decide between the B&W CM series vs. Paradigms. I am setting up a HT in a carpeted 18X26 room with a 52" XBR4. SWMBO* demands a real wood veneer finish (NOT vinyl).
Any thoughts from more experienced audiophiles will be appreciated.

*She Who Must Be Obeyed

 

[nick1000000]

What sounds better to your ears? Either way, the speakers you decide on will make for a great HT. Take them home and audition them both. I know Paradigm allows this.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Buy the one you like best, it really doesnt matter what we think. I have one question for you though, have you auditioned other speakers or do you have your heart set on these two brands? My advice would be too audition as many different speakers in your price range as possible (if you have not done this as of yet).

 

[fredk]

SWMBO* demands a real wood veneer finish

You sir, are most fortunate.

Fred

 

[codexp3]

I'm driving myself nuts trying to choose the right speaker system.
I've prety well decided on the Marantz 7002, but I can't decide between the B&W CM series vs. Paradigms. I am setting up a HT in a carpeted 18X26 room with a 52" XBR4. SWMBO* demands a real wood veneer finish (NOT vinyl).
Any thoughts from more experienced audiophiles will be appreciated.

*She Who Must Be Obeyed

B&W vs. Paradigm not a bad spot to be in. Both make excellent products. I'm a Paradigm owner/fan. The Studio 60s won't let you down give them a listen. Given the current value of the dollar vs the euro, and the fact the B&Ws are shipped from the old country, they tend to be overly marked up. The 802Ds went from 8k to 10k recently. My Paradigm Signautes went from 6700 to 7200 in the same period.

 

[TheFactor]

I really like my Paradigm studio 60's, there a lot of bang for the buck and the sound is incredible. It really gave me a whole new outlook on HT and have never enjoyed it so much in my life.

 

[corysmith01]

SWMBO* demands a real wood veneer finish (NOT vinyl)

Don't the paradigm studio series sport vinyl finishes? I don't think you get real wood in Paradigm until you get to the Signature series.

At any rate, as a previous owner of B&W and the Paradigm Studio line (Studio 20 v3), you'd do well with either I would think. I don't think anyone would or could make a case that one is a clear winner over the other as they're both pretty solid...just a matter of taste. Personally, I'd lean towards the Studio series, but that's just me...you're doing the buying so you need to satisfy yourself. I'd take some material you're very familiar with and give 'em both a listen and see which one stands out most to you. Good luck.

 

[TheFactor]

Don't the paradigm studio series sport vinyl finishes? I don't think you get real wood in Paradigm until you get to the Signature series.

At any rate, as a previous owner of B&W and the Paradigm Studio line (Studio 20 v3), you'd do well with either I would think. I don't think anyone would or could make a case that one is a clear winner over the other as they're both pretty solid...just a matter of taste. Personally, I'd lean towards the Studio series, but that's just me...you're doing the buying so you need to satisfy yourself. I'd take some material you're very familiar with and give 'em both a listen and see which one stands out most to you. Good luck.

Yes thats correct the Digms do sport a vinyl covering on the studios and to be honest it was a draw back to me when I was making my desicion but after hearing them and seeing that visually and by touch there is no substantial difference and also probably a little more durable of finish it wasnt much of a factor for me anyway . Also the build quality, fit and finish is phenomenal on the Paradigms not to mention im sure the same on the B&W'S.I would just listen to both and see if the price differential is worth it to my ears or not.

 

[Warpdrv]

Yup, gotta step up to the Signature series for real wood....
Don't rule out shopping on Audiogon.com, as there are a few Sigs on there for much better price then retail...
Sometimes its worth it to up the budget for something a bit better and piece it together slowly if you have the patients...
I got my Sig setup from there and I am ecstatic I bought from there...

 

[TheFactor]

Yup, gotta step up to the Signature series for real wood....
Don't rule out shopping on Audiogon.com, as there are a few Sigs on there for much better price then retail...
Sometimes its worth it to up the budget for something a bit better and piece it together slowly if you have the patients...
I got my Sig setup from there and I am ecstatic I bought from there...

Yes im sure that you can but you are taking a risk that you dont have to take when you buy new. Im not knocking being thrifty but it can come back to bite you if your not lucky that day . Not to say I wouldnt buy from there but when im spending thousands of dollars I would feel much better spending more and knowing there perfect and if there not I can return them with out a dought.Even if its at the expense of one model down. But thats just me probably because I work so hard for so little I want to make sure I feel secure in my purchases .

 

[TheFactor]

I must admit I have been looking on there though But Its more for entertainment purposes, love looking at all that beautiful audio equipment.

 

[Warpdrv]

Yes im sure that you can but you are taking a risk that you dont have to take when you buy new. Im not knocking being thrifty but it can come back to bite you if your not lucky that day . Not to say I wouldnt buy from there but when im spending thousands of dollars I would feel much better spending more and knowing there perfect and if there not I can return them with out a dought.Even if its at the expense of one model down. But thats just me probably because I work so hard for so little I want to make sure I feel secure in my purchases .

No doubt about the risk, but IMO the cost savings outweigh the risk and are worth it to me.. everyone is different obviously... as the saying goes YMMV....

That is the reason the dealers have the edge, in offering the customer a warranty. I would certainly want to know that the dealer I was working with valued your business and was there for me, as some care and some don't.

Cabinets are boxes, and the replacement parts aren't as expensive as you might think. If the box is in good shape thats great to me thats the most important issue, if a driver is bad, they are easily replaced pretty reasonably.

 

[jamie2112]

Well I am going to throw in my 2 cents. I would go with B&W but thats IMO..

 

[mazersteven]

Tough choice between the CM's vs. the 60's.

I got it

MTS-01 Tower
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

 

[TheFactor]

Well I am going to throw in my 2 cents. I would go with B&W but thats IMO..

Just curious but whats the price differential between the two ? I'm sure that will be a deciding factor if the sound is close to op's taste unless money is no object.

 

[mazersteven]

Just curious but whats the price differential between the two ? I'm sure that will be a deciding factor if the sound is close to op's taste unless money is no object.

B&W CM7 MSRP: $1,800/pr
Paradigm Studio 60 MSRP $1999/pr

SVS MTS-01 Tower $1499/pr

 

[TheFactor]

B&W CM7 MSRP: $1,800/pr
Paradigm Studio 60 MSRP $1999/pr

SVS MTS-01 Tower $1499/pr

Wow that is very close I'd most definitely be putting my eyes and ears to the test . Its so hard choosing speakers even if you have it narrowed down to a few because usually they all shine in different areas .

 

[Warpdrv]

B&W CM7 MSRP: $1,800/pr
Paradigm Studio 60 MSRP $1999/pr

SVS MTS-01 Tower $1499/pr

Those are certainly different sounding speakers in a good price point....

I had the MTS's in my house against the Studio 100's... Didn't have the B&W's but auditioned them at the dealer... I didn't care for the Kevlar in the B&W's personally.

The MTS's are a more natural speaker, not as forward as the Studio's..

Good speakers to shoot out... I would also add in the AV123 Rocket 850 into the mix, as If I hadn't heard it with my own ears as I was always skeptical, I thought it was a very nice sounding speaker and very similar to the Studio 100.

 

[mazersteven]

Those are certainly different sounding speakers in a good price point....

I had the MTS's in my house against the Studio 100's... Didn't have the B&W's but auditioned them at the dealer... I didn't care for the Kevlar in the B&W's personally.

The MTS's are a more natural speaker, not as forward as the Studio's..

Good speakers to shoot out... I would also add in the AV123 Rocket 850 into the mix, as If I hadn't heard it with my own ears as I was always skeptical, I thought it was a very nice sounding speaker and very similar to the Studio 100.

How about the Salk SongTower QWT?
http://www.salksound.com/SongTower.shtml

 

[Matt34]

Edit: Didn't see the real wood finish requirement so the PSB T65 are out.

I think the new Polk Audio Rti-2008 speakers are available in real wood finishes.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/floorstanding/