I A/Bed the B&W 602 s3 and Paradigm Studio 40 s3

[mike c]

I paired the 40 s3 with the B&W because only the studio 20 s1 was around
source and integrated amp was denon.

I am so glad I don't have a golden ear ... (again, it was the wife who noticed a big difference but mentioned "nevermind for that price" - she did not know which of the two speakers were running)

sure there was a difference between the two, but if I would assign ratings to the difference it would be paradigm 98% b&w 97-96%. the difference was in the soundstage, the vocals were "higher" or simply "louder" than the b&w.

you have to consider though that the B&W has one 7" driver doing all the work, while the studio 40 has two 7" drivers (one for the mids, one for the lows).

I'm thinking the cheaper floorstanding 603 b&w with separate mid and low drivers will be enough to match the studio 40. (or the 604 will be enough to beat it)

 

[speakerman39]

I paired the 40 s3 with the B&W because only the studio 20 s1 was around
source and integrated amp was denon.

I am so glad I don't have a golden ear ... (again, it was the wife who noticed a big difference but mentioned "nevermind for that price" - she did not know which of the two speakers were running)

sure there was a difference between the two, but if I would assign ratings to the difference it would be paradigm 98% b&w 97-96%. the difference was in the soundstage, the vocals were "higher" or simply "louder" than the b&w.

you have to consider though that the B&W has one 7" driver doing all the work, while the studio 40 has two 7" drivers (one for the mids, one for the lows).

I'm thinking the cheaper floorstanding 603 b&w with separate mid and low drivers will be enough to match the studio 40. (or the 604 will be enough to beat it)

Many has claimed that the Ascend CMT340SE's will best the Studio 40's and are only $568 a pair. You can get the matching stands for $100 more. Keep in mind there is also a little bit of shipping and handling. However, even so being it is still going to be significantly cheaper than both the Studio 40's and/or the B&W 603/604's. Hope this helps. Have a great 4th!!!!!!!!!

 

[mike c]

I think the shipping cost of the ascends would be prohibitive for me. thanks for the info though

 

[speakerman39]

I think the shipping cost of the ascends would be prohibitive for me. thanks for the info though

Oops, sorry did not see that my bad. Good luck there anyways.