I need advice about Paradigm Studio 80's

[ElPato]

Hi. I have the opportunity to buy a pair of used Paradigm Reference Studio 80's (V1 i think, manufactured in 1999), but i'm not able to listen to them if i don't really have the intention to buy .

What are your opinions about these speakers?

They are selling them form $1000. Keep in mind that this is not in the US and prices are a little bit different. For your reference, a pair of new Monitor 9's sell for $880, and a pair of Polk Monitor 70's sell for $1100. Are the used studio 80's woth buying, istead of new ones?


I currently have a Marantz SR6300 and a pair of JBL Studio S310II as fronts (and some crappy surronuds that i'll be selling hopefully). My idea is to use the Paradigms for mains, and the JBLs for surrounds, and buy a matching center channel.
I also plan to buy a Mirage S12 subwoofer (there's no way to get subwoofers like HSU or SVS here).

What do you think about this setup? Is the combination of Paradigms and JBLs a bad idea? I have a fairy large room (don't have the exact measures now) with wallpaper on the walls. I'll use the rig for 90% music and 10% movies, so the matching between fronts and rears is not all that important to me.

I'll use them mostly for rock (Led Zep for example), jazz and a little bit of classical

Oh, and as you can see, i like big floorstanding speakers

So, what do you think?
TIA

 

[Johnd]

You've given a lot of information, but not the necessary relevant info...such as the conversion rate. You use the term "dollars" and write it's not in the U.S. Begging the question: is it Canadian, Australian or Euro dollars? I purchased my Studio 100's brand new with warranty for $1,600.00 U.S. dollars, love 'em, and have never looked back (as a point of reference). Apples and oranges. Another valid comparison that you've omitted was the price of a new pair of Studio 80's in your area (you've written used they are $1,000.00...how used?). You've also failed to mention if they are version 1, 2 or 3. You write that you think they are v.1...there is an enormous difference in sound between v.1 and v.3. Without more info, it is difficult to offer suggestions. But if they are used, even just slightly, I would not purchase them unless they are at least 50%-60% off msrp (assuming they are v.3...you can usually bargain new 'digms (w/ full mfr. warranty) for 20%-30% off msrp...the other 30%+ is for the lack of a warranty (or a diminshed one), and the fact that they are used).

 

[ElPato]

Sorry. You're right about what you say.
All prices are in US dollars. The speakers are definitely v1.

Sadly, I couldn't find the price for a new pair of paradigm reference studios (these things are very hard to find here), and the 80's are discontinued anyway. But i belive that they should be well over $2000 (USD). I also found that the $880 price of the Monitor 9's is for a used pair too.

It seems that the "used factor" is much more important than what I thought. I belived that a pair of speakers can last for several decades in good shape if they are treated carefully. According to what the vendor says, they are treated very carefully, but who would say otherwise?. Viusually they are flawless. They are 7 years old

So let's put the question this way: If you could get a pair of used Reference Studio 80's v1 or a pair of brand new Monitor 9's for nearly the same price, which ones would you buy?

Thanks

 

[Johnd]

Speakers, particularly those that are well-built and well-taken care of, do last a long time. First consideration in speaker purchases, without exception, is whether you like the sound. Specs matter far more in players, receivers and displays. I think $880.00 US for a used pair of Studio 80's v.1 in very good condition is, at best, a fair price. Certainly not a great price (Remember what I posted above...I bought the Studio 100's v.3 for $1,600.00, shipping, tax and full warranty included). If you love their sound, why not. Conversely, I ask the question, how often does one purchase a pair of reference mains? Be deliberate.

 

[j_garcia]

The 6300 won't be capable of adequately powering the 80s at elevated levels, especially in a larger room.

 

[Johnd]

Good point. If you want loudness with those speakers, you'll need to step up to at least 120 watts, if not 140 watts per channel.

 

[ElPato]

Wow, TY for the fast responses!!

I think i'll give them a try. Of course i'll listen to them before buying, but i won't be able to directly compare to others. Anyway it seems to be a good oportunity. As Johnd wrote, how often does one purchase a pair of reference mains?

I don't think that loudness is an issue for me, specially after purchasing a subwoofer. My S310's have the same sensibility than the paradigms and I never raise the volume above 70-75% in the amp.

 

[Johnd]

My S310's have the same sensibility than the paradigms and I never raise the volume above 70-75% in the amp.

Good to hear you've decided ElPato. Just a funny ha-ha aside: People have sense and sensibility, speakers have sensitivity. I'm sure it was just a typo, but it's good practice to type accurately for all concerned, or you run the risk of jokes being made at your posts. I love my Paradigms, so Enjoy!

 

[ElPato]

Good to hear you've decided ElPato. Just a funny ha-ha aside: People have sense and sensibility, speakers have sensitivity. I'm sure it was just a typo, but it's good practice to type accurately for all concerned, or you run the risk of jokes being made at your posts. I love my Paradigms, so Enjoy!

Oooops sorry That was just a bad translation from Spanish to English.

 

[j_garcia]

The 6300 will drive them at average listening levels, just be careful when you crank it up. If you find that the sound starts to get overly harsh or suddenly becomes less clear, turn it down.

 

[ElPato]

The 6300 will drive them at average listening levels, just be careful when you crank it up. If you find that the sound starts to get overly harsh or suddenly becomes less clear, turn it down.

This means that the amp is starting to clip, right?

I see in your sig that you have a Marantz too, and maybe the way to "measure" the volume is the same as in mine. I've never passed the 0db mark (it goes from -75 to +15), so i think that i'll be fine with that. I don't want to loose my hearing either!!!

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, that is clipping. I used to have a 6200, and also had a 6300 briefly when my 8300 was on order. When I upgraded my speakers, I also needed to upgrade the receiver, and since I was happy with Marantz, I stuck with them. The volume is measured the same, but what that translates to in each room can vary greatly. I normally listen at about -20 on the dial, with 0 being ref. -10 would be extremely loud for most movies.

 

[ElPato]

Well, if everything goes fine, I'll get my studio 80's tomorrow.

I want to thank you all for the advice, and I have one more question for you:

Is there anything special to pay attention carefully when listening to used speakers to test if they are in good condition? Besides strange rattles and vibrations, of course.

TIA

 

[KIRKLIN]

Good brand, but questionable model

Friend,

You have your eye on a great speaker company, but I question buying the studio 80's v.1 If you can find the v.2's I'd jump-on-them! ! ! Paradigm seemed to refine the v.2 over the v.1 (which should be the case), but they seem to do it so much more that I would hesitate getting version 1's. I owned the 80's v.2 OUTSTANDING SPEAKER. If going for the 80's, why not the 100's? They sound that much more refined. What I mean the "refined,": more solid bass, treble seems to be more open - less strained, mid-bass seems more natural sounding, more acoustical. By all means, the 80s are a good speaker v.1. V.2's are just a great speaker! That's all. Of coure, all this comes from someone bias to the v.2 Personally, I prefer the v.2 Paradigms over their new v.3s. Of course, that could launch an all-out speaker debate, but . . .. as stated - that my personal take on the matter Ultimately, trust YOUR ears. If they like them, them they are good speakers! We have our own ears for a reason. Please YOURS!

 

[jcPanny]

Matching center channel

It sounds like there have been some significant changes from the Paradigm v1 to the current models, so finding the "matching" v1 center channel might not be trivial.