Paradigm founder 100f vs martin Logan XT F200

[Udnrbru1237]

I have the opportunity to purchase The Martin Logan XT F200 open box for $3500 off facebook marketplace place, but I also found some Paradigm Founder 100f for $3500 on Usaudiomart. So basically the same price, but may have to pay shipping for the 100F’s. I have a Marantz model 30 that I play 2 channel vinyl, TV and Apple music through Sonos streamer with musical fidelity DAC. Can someone give their experience with the Martin Logan’s Vs the paradigms. i have heard the martin Logan’s and I have paradigm in walls n my home theater, but have never actually heard the 100F’s. An info should be helpful. i also saw some golden ear T66’s I am interested in also. May like the integrated subs. Anyone with first hand knowledge that can lend some opinions would be much appreciated.

 

[everettT]

I have the opportunity to purchase The Martin Logan 100F open box for $3500 off facebook marketplace place, but I also found some Paradigm Founder 100f for $3500 on Us audio art. So basically the same price, but may have to pay shipping for the 100F’s. I have a Marantz model 30 that I play 2 channel vinyl, TV and Apple music through Sonos streamer with musical fidelity DAC. Can someone give their experience with the Martin Logan’s Vs the paradigms. i have heard the martin Logan’s and I have paradigm in walls n my home theater, but have never actually heard the 100F’s. An info should be helpful. i also saw some golden ear T66’s I am interested in also. May like the integrated subs. Anyone with first hand knowledge that can lend some opinions would be much appreciated.

I'd prefer these if you're purchasing used.

Dynaudio Contour S5.4 Speakers: Special Order Piano Clear Lacquer finishes

Special order of Dynaudio Contour S 5.4 speakers in excellent condition except plinths. Replaced to a pair of custom black wood stand but still keep the original one upon buyer's request.Very rare Piano Clear Lacquer finishes and no visible signs. This is the top of the Contour line. No box...

www.usaudiomart.com

Older but measure well (better than the Logan and of those choices with the Paradigm being as close) and are in great condition with upgraded lacquer finish.

If those are your only two choices, I'd take the Paradigm.

 

[lovinthehd]

No experience with either speaker myself. Have you seen these reviews, tho?
https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/martinlogan-xt-f100

Paradigm Founder 100F and 70LCR Loudspeakers Review

The Paradigm's Founder 100F 3-way towers and 70LCR speakers use a slew of new technologies to push the loudspeaker game forward. Read our review to see how they sounded and performed with measurements.

www.audioholics.com

Maybe @shadyJ will comment....

 

[Bobby Bass]

FYI I’ve listened to the Paradigms a couple of times. I almost bought a pair. They have beautiful finishes and are made at their plant in Canada. That’s a good price. They’re about 6K new with all fees now. I liked the sound. Easy to listen to without being sibilant which I’m sensitive to. I found the ML to be more forward and a little harder on my old guy ears long term.

 

[dolynick]

I've never heard the Logans but the F100 (your title says 200, your post says 100) is considerably larger than the Founder 100F, the 200F even more so. On paper, the Logans should have more low bass as well. Not that the Founder 100Fs don't have bass - mine do more or less follow Paradigms DIN 26Hz spec and put out useable bass down to the mid 20s in my room. The Logan's F3 is lower though, so they should do even better on the low end.

On the top end? I recall some reviews mentioning the ribbon in the Logans being somewhat bright, although the Paradigms also get accused of being tilted up a bit too.

On the looks side, I'd take the Paradigms for sure.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No experience with either speaker myself. Have you seen these reviews, tho?
https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/martinlogan-xt-f100

Paradigm Founder 100F and 70LCR Loudspeakers Review

The Paradigm's Founder 100F 3-way towers and 70LCR speakers use a slew of new technologies to push the loudspeaker game forward. Read our review to see how they sounded and performed with measurements.

www.audioholics.com

Maybe @shadyJ will comment....

Shady pointed out that there is a peak around 15kHz (looks like 5dB).

But maybe we can’t hear much at 15kHz anyway. So might not be “bright” at all.

 

[mtrot]

I've heard the F100/F200 several times at Best Buy and one time at an independent store. I find them to sound fantastic. What really stood out to me is their ability to produce incredible mid range dynamics and realistic transient attack like real instruments, such as snare drum shots and brass blats. They produced such clear highs, and without any apparent distortion to my ears.

At Best Buy, I was able to go between the F100's, KEF R11's, and B&W 703S2. The KEF's likely measure better but I just enjoyed the ML's more.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've heard the F100/F200 several times at Best Buy and one time at an independent store. I find them to sound fantastic. What really stood out to me is their ability to produce incredible mid range dynamics and realistic transient attack like real instruments, such as snare drum shots and brass blats. They produced such clear highs, and without any apparent distortion to my ears.

At Best Buy, I was able to go between the F100's, KEF R11's, and B&W 703S2. The KEF's likely measure better but I just enjoyed the ML's more.

Wow. You preferred the F100 over the big KEF R11?

 

[mtrot]

Wow. You preferred the F100 over the big KEF R11?

I wonder if the OP is still with us. You know, it's now been some time since I did those auditions, but I think the first time I heard the F100/200, I was at Best Buy and compared either the F100 or F200 against the KEF R11, not the R11 Meta. I do remember thinking there was more clarity with the ML's, which would make some sense in that they measure brighter than the R11's. With my old man ears, maybe I just need more highs. I do also remember that I felt they offered such powerful highs and clarity, yet without any obvious distortion. The R11's in comparison just seemed a bit "lame" at the time. They also had a set of B&W and a set of Definitive Technology towers, neither of which I cared much for.

Now, I later heard the F100's at a Best Buy location and they had the R11 Meta's. I'm not sure why, but in that audition, I felt the KEF's just about equaled the F100's in clarity. I'm not sure if the R11 Meta's measure a bit brighter than the R11's, but it seemed that way to me. If I went KEF, I would definitely get the Meta's.

As to the bass, I don't think there was a big advantage with either brand, at least in those Best Buy audition rooms where they have a bunch of speakers lined up.

 

[Mikado463]

LOL, 'Best Buy audition rooms'..............

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I wonder if the OP is still with us. You know, it's now been some time since I did those auditions, but I think the first time I heard the F100/200, I was at Best Buy and compared either the F100 or F200 against the KEF R11, not the R11 Meta. I do remember thinking there was more clarity with the ML's, which would make some sense in that they measure brighter than the R11's. With my old man ears, maybe I just need more highs. I do also remember that I felt they offered such powerful highs and clarity, yet without any obvious distortion. The R11's in comparison just seemed a bit "lame" at the time. They also had a set of B&W and a set of Definitive Technology towers, neither of which I cared much for.

Now, I later heard the F100's at a Best Buy location and they had the R11 Meta's. I'm not sure why, but in that audition, I felt the KEF's just about equaled the F100's in clarity. I'm not sure if the R11 Meta's measure a bit brighter than the R11's, but it seemed that way to me. If I went KEF, I would definitely get the Meta's.

As to the bass, I don't think there was a big advantage with either brand, at least in those Best Buy audition rooms where they have a bunch of speakers lined up.

That’s one huge caveat about “auditioning” speakers at these retail stores.

For some reasons, speakers just sound much better when you place them in a better acoustic environment.

Back when I bought the B&W 802D2, they never really sounded good whenever I auditioned them several times. But they sounded much better in my house.

 

[everettT]

That’s one huge caveat about “auditioning” speakers at these retail stores.

For some reasons, speakers just sound much better when you place them in a better acoustic environment.

Back when I bought the B&W 802D2, they never really sounded good whenever I auditioned them several times. But they sounded much better in my house.

Even the R11 non Meta should sound good in almost any room, and the mid to lower bass distortion is well in check at high SPL. I'm wondering if the additional low bass from the 200's output had an affect on the audition?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Even the R11 non Meta should sound good in almost any room, and the mid to lower bass distortion is well in check at high SPL. I'm wondering if the additional low bass from the 200's output had an affect on the audition?

I can see why the F200’s 3 x 8” woofers would have more bass.

But I think he preferred even the F100 (3 x 6.5” woofers) over the R11 (4 x 6.5” woofers).

 

[TankTop5]

I'd prefer these if you're purchasing used.

Dynaudio Contour S5.4 Speakers: Special Order Piano Clear Lacquer finishes

Special order of Dynaudio Contour S 5.4 speakers in excellent condition except plinths. Replaced to a pair of custom black wood stand but still keep the original one upon buyer's request.Very rare Piano Clear Lacquer finishes and no visible signs. This is the top of the Contour line. No box...

www.usaudiomart.com

Older but measure well (better than the Logan and of those choices with the Paradigm being as close) and are in great condition with upgraded lacquer finish.

If those are your only two choices, I'd take the Paradigm.

I love Dynaudio but those Contour series speakers don’t have replacement drivers anymore. With the cult following that series has I’ve really wanted a pair until learning you can’t repair them anymore

 

[everettT]

I can see why the F200’s 3 x 8” woofers would have more bass.

But I think he preferred even the F100 (3 x 6.5” woofers) over the R11 (4 x 6.5” woofers).

From the original post, I maybe getting two the OP mixed up from @mtrot , sorry for the confusion.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

From the original post, I maybe getting two the OP mixed up from @mtrot , sorry for the confusion.

No biggie.

 

[lovinthehd]

I can see why the F200’s 3 x 8” woofers would have more bass.

But I think he preferred even the F100 (3 x 6.5” woofers) over the R11 (4 x 6.5” woofers).

Hard to know what the drivers have particularly to do with it compared to other factors otoh.

 

[mtrot]

I can see why the F200’s 3 x 8” woofers would have more bass.

But I think he preferred even the F100 (3 x 6.5” woofers) over the R11 (4 x 6.5” woofers).

Yup.