Narrowed to 2! (Paradigm & Athena)

[Virgil]

After much soul-searching and an equal amount of internet-searching, I've finally narrowed down my next speaker buy to two floorstanders:

Paradigm Monitor 7
Athena AS-F2.2

Now I know most of you have heard at least one of these, and I'm hoping some have heard both as well.

Please, help me! I'm going to hear the Paradigm Monitor 7 tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be able to hear the Athena AS-F2.2 unless I BUY THEM. How do they compare?

Wes

 

[rikmeister]

what is your budget? what are you using to power them with. I personally like the

studios more than the monitors.

 

[Snarl]

No idea on the Athyena's sorry, I've heard the Monitor 7's however and their excellent, IMHO

 

[dloweman]

another post for the monitor 7's. I have them and they are absolutely wonderful, no desire to upgrade at all and love to just sit back and enjoy. haven't heard the athena's though. enjoy your quest

 

[JJMP50]

Tough Call

You're looking at Paradigm's entry level line and Athena's top line which should line up ok. Paradigm lines up better with Energy, another API company(Athena's parent) than it does with Athena, being it's premium brand along with Mirage.

As far auditioning the Athena, they are sold at Best Buy and Future Store (CA). The only problem is if they have them in stock. The new series 2's just came out and haven't trickled down to the retail level in many places.

Good luck. By the way, just to through you into confusion, have you checked out the Energys or PSB? These are two other great Canadian speakers.

 

[Virgil]

Ahhhhh, Bird don't tell me things like that. It's gonna be one of these two and that's final. Remember, my peace of mind is just as important as getting the best speakers I can for the money, and I've already spend a lot of my life during the last 2 weeks finding out what this home audio thing is all about.

Rik, that's another question that I posted in the receiver forum. The main contenders are Marantz and H/K, but I'm not sure if I want the stereo receiver or the 5.1. I don't really need the gadgets on the 5.1, but I've heard that they are made better than the stereo's.

peace

Wes

 

[Takeereasy]

Both speakers are great deals and I don't think you could loose either way. Paradigm claims to have the lower extention of the two at 33hz vz the Athena's 35 hz, but I'd be willing to bet that the Athena can put out more bass than the Paradigm due to the larger surface of its drivers. The Athena is the bigger, heavier speaker (12 lbs per pair) while the Paradigm takes up less room and is IMO the prettier of the two. If the price for both is Identical I'd suggest the Paradigm. If the price is $150 or more in favor of the Athena I'd go that way. Both speakers are efficient and can be driven well off of the receivers you are looking at.

 

[Spiffyfast]

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents, completely agree with the last post, the Monitor 7's sound amazing and if your planning on getting a sub for the low end they will work great for you, if you don't want a sub, get the Athenas and those dual 8's will have more than enough bass for you

 

[j_garcia]

studios more than the monitors.

I have to agree there. The Monitor line is good, but lacks something for music, which is why I sold mine. I had a CC-370, Minis, Titans and Monitor 5s (same driver array as the 7s). They were always fine for movies, but did not give me what I was looking for with music. So if you are going to be listening to a lot of music, I'd say you might want to open up your search a bit more.

 

[rikmeister]

if you enjoy music more than listen the studios there is a big difference. i would

buy the lowly studio 20s over the monitor7s. Look on ebay or audigon and see what you can do on some used studios. but listen to them if you can. You will see what i mean.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

After much soul-searching and an equal amount of internet-searching, I've finally narrowed down my next speaker buy to two floorstanders:
Paradigm Monitor 7
Athena AS-F2.2
Please, help me! I'm going to hear the Paradigm Monitor 7 tomorrow, but I don't think I'll be able to hear the Athena AS-F2.2 unless I BUY THEM. How do they compare?
Wes

Wes, you did see this, didn't you?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009WRV10/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_2/104-8060217-9334351

 

[Audiosouse]

Your choices are in separate classes rendering a comparison unfair. Athena can't touch Paradigm's Pure Titanium tweeter or match it's build. A more appropriate comparison is Paradigm's Phantom from the Performance Series, which are just gorgeous looking in their new iteration.

Athena AS-F2.2
Weight: 44 lbs
Width: 9 1/2 in.
Drivers: Dual 8 in.
Crossover: 2 way (both 8 in. handle same frequencies)

Paradigm Monitor 7
Weight: 38 lbs
Width: 7 5/8 in.
Drivers: dual 6 1/2 in.
Crossove: 2 1/2 way (crosses over to special lower frequency driver at 400 Hz)

Notice similar weights even though Athena has dual 8 in. drivers and much larger cabinet. The Paradigm's are only 6 lbs. lighter! Paradigm is a more sophisticated speaker using three specialized drivers and a 2 1/2 way crossover for the various frequencies as opposed to Athena's two respectively, which is why the Paradigm's reach lower despite less surface area.

The Monitor series is a significant step up from the Performance series, less so IMO than from Monitor to Reference Studio. While you may brag Athena's AS-F2.2 is the top of their line, Paradigm's Monitor series (identical performance across the line, differentiated mostly by bandwidth) compete with much more expensive speakers on the market and measure as such.

You're comparison was not a fair one to begin with. Besides, an Athena 5.1 will run almost half a Paradigm Monitor 5.1. I wouldn't venture into Paradigm Reference Studio territory unless you're prepared to shell out some serious dough. The best surround systems have identical drivers all around and you'll pay more than double for a Studio 5.1 than a Monitor 5.1. That's getting into serious high end, which will lead to upgrading everything else and leave you broke!

That being said, if you can find any AS-F2's (the original series) left that were about 40% off, it's a no brainer. Also, you'll never see Paradigm on sale from a boutique dealer as you might find Athena from Best Buy or Future Shop.

As far as saying one is better music than the other...that's audio mythology. Sound is sound and both reproduce it brilliantly. If others had issues playing music on Monitor Series speakers, it's due to poor set up, room interaction or plain incompetence, not the speaker. They are giant killers and world class music reproducers. There have been many comparisons between Paradigm's PTD tweeter and Scan Speak's Revelator, the latter considered the current world standard. That's what class Monitor speakers compete with.

In the end you still have to listen to them! There's no substitute for spending some qulity time with each and a favourite CD. Happy hunting and tell us what you get!

 

[Audiosouse]

Wes, you did see this, didn't you?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009WRV10/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_2/104-8060217-9334351

Holy sh!#! I should have looked at this before I wrote a bloody speach!

Your decision has been made! Buy two pair! Only 4 left!!!

 

[Audiosouse]

Rik, that's another question that I posted in the receiver forum. The main contenders are Marantz and H/K, but I'm not sure if I want the stereo receiver or the 5.1. I don't really need the gadgets on the 5.1, but I've heard that they are made better than the stereo's.

peace

Wes

Why limit yourself to those two? Do they still make stereo receivers? I think not getting a digital 7.1 channel receiver is akin to shooting yourself in the foot. There's not much price difference anyway. Make sure your receiver has pre outs for potential amplification upgrades. Here's a good inexpensive one with features to spare, the all important pre outs and even auto set up!
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/PioneerVSX-815ReceiverReview1.php

If it's one thing this site does well, it's receiver reviews, you should check them out. There's deals to be had at Yamaha in the near future with the RX-V2500's replacement on the way.

As I said before, listen to the speakers you like WITH the receiver's you're interested in. Not a difficult task in any boutique shop with a switch box. Make sure you balance the volume levels via an SPL and have a buddy switch the receivers while listening through the same speakers. Ensure the receivers identities are unkown by having your buddy refer to them as A, B, etc. It's a quick and dirty double blind listeneing test.

Make a list of listening criteria, mark down which one(s) you liked best in each, tally 'em up and your winner is revealed. Then turn around to discover your choice, you may be surprised or notice no difference at all! In which case buy the cheapest one or the one with the most features for the price. I can't overstate the importance of this kind of testing, it will ensure no post purchase anxiety. Take your time.

 

[Virgil]

Hey guys thanks a lot for all the great responses. Honestly I appreciate the advice. Today I did go to a little store here in Kansas City called Sound FX and listened to some of the Paradigm Monitor 7's; they were good, but I thought a little bit bright. I took some my CD of the Cleveland Orchestra under Pierre Boulez playing Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, and some of the brass and upper woordwinds and cymbals sounded too harsh. The detail, however, was excellent and what I'm talking about in the highs was only a minor annoyance. Besides, I think I'm spoiled from hearing the DALI Evidence 870 ($2,500 / pair) in the listening room on monday. I expected the Monitor 7's to sound like that and it just didn't happen.

I also got a chance to listen to some Wharfdale Diamond 9.5's, which were only priced $50 above the Monitor 7's. They were a little smoother but didn't have quite the bass, and the smoothness was almost on the creamy side (if something can sound "creamy"). I honestly don't know which one I would have chosen, as they both were pretty good, but unfortunately both were just out of my price range -- the Monitor 7's were $750, the Diamond 9.5's were $800, and the guy wouldn't haggle!

BUT....as first Buckeyfan and then you, Audiosouse, pointed out so expletetively, Amazon had for some wierd reason just an incredible deal on the AS-F2.2, and I had to buy them. I actually put in my order today, and with the free shipping they should be here by the end of July (FREE means it takes longer).

So, now I've purchased everything. Here's my complete setup.

Marantz SR5400 AV receiver
Marantz DV4500 DVD player
Athena AS-F2.2 floorstanding speakers

Total price + shipping: $916.89

I'm pretty proud of myself. But really I should be thanking all of you; you don't know how much your advice and the advice of everyone else at Audioholics got me quality equipment for an ultra low price.

peace

Wes

 

[Johnny Canuck]

I have to agree with Bird.

If I had a chance to do it over again, I would have looked a lot more at Psb over the Polk RTI 12's I got.

Bottom of the line Paradigms aren't as good as Psb's in the same price range, or even Polk for that matter.

 

[Audiosouse]

...Here's my complete setup.

Marantz SR5400 AV receiver
Marantz DV4500 DVD player
Athena AS-F2.2 floorstanding speakers

Total price + shipping: $916.89

I'm pretty proud of myself. But really I should be thanking all of you; you don't know how much your advice and the advice of everyone else at Audioholics got me quality equipment for an ultra low price.

peace

Wes

Nice job Wes! I'm sure that system will sound outstanding! That's a lot of hardware for under $1K. When you see a deal like that don't question it, jump on it! Although people will have you believe they can buy whatever they want, price is usually the deciding factor for any purchase and getting awsome speakers for a shockingly low price is a great thrill!

My only criticism is you should have bought two pair! Wait until you hear surround music. I was a dedicated 2 channel junkie until I purchased a couple DVD-A discs. I'll never go back.

 

[Audiosouse]

Bottom of the line Paradigms aren't as good as Psb's in the same price range, or even Polk for that matter.

I'm not sure what models you've listened to, but I thought Paradigm's Performance series bested Energy's Conoisseur, and I'm a long time Energy fan. I know PSB is impressive, but the Performance series is no lackluster speaker (most everybody would agree) and will absolutely shame even higher level Polk speakers. BTW, Monitor series is Paradigm's mid level line between Performance and Reference Studio.

What bothers me about PSB is they do not make their own drivers, but use OEM's. While there's nothing inherintly wrong with this approach, I prefer companies who actually make the entire speaker, only then can they call it their own. API and Paradigm are the only two companies in Canada with this capability.

 

[anamorphic96]

Hey guys thanks a lot for all the great responses. Honestly I appreciate the advice. Today I did go to a little store here in Kansas City called Sound FX and listened to some of the Paradigm Monitor 7's; they were good, but I thought a little bit bright. I took some my CD of the Cleveland Orchestra under Pierre Boulez playing Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, and some of the brass and upper woordwinds and cymbals sounded too harsh. The detail, however, was excellent and what I'm talking about in the highs was only a minor annoyance. Besides, I think I'm spoiled from hearing the DALI Evidence 870 ($2,500 / pair) in the listening room on monday. I expected the Monitor 7's to sound like that and it just didn't happen.

I also got a chance to listen to some Wharfdale Diamond 9.5's, which were only priced $50 above the Monitor 7's. They were a little smoother but didn't have quite the bass, and the smoothness was almost on the creamy side (if something can sound "creamy"). I honestly don't know which one I would have chosen, as they both were pretty good, but unfortunately both were just out of my price range -- the Monitor 7's were $750, the Diamond 9.5's were $800, and the guy wouldn't haggle!

BUT....as first Buckeyfan and then you, Audiosouse, pointed out so expletetively, Amazon had for some wierd reason just an incredible deal on the AS-F2.2, and I had to buy them. I actually put in my order today, and with the free shipping they should be here by the end of July (FREE means it takes longer).

So, now I've purchased everything. Here's my complete setup.

Marantz SR5400 AV receiver
Marantz DV4500 DVD player
Athena AS-F2.2 floorstanding speakers

Total price + shipping: $916.89

I'm pretty proud of myself. But really I should be thanking all of you; you don't know how much your advice and the advice of everyone else at Audioholics got me quality equipment for an ultra low price.

peace

Wes

You should be proud. Thats a great system you put together. The Athenas efficiency and overall balanced sound will lend itself nicely to the clean power the Marantz is able to put out.

Cheers and enjoy.

 

[mulester7]

.....Virgil, your Dad just called in here at the station and said he wanted a sub....I've got him on hold.....