Paradigm Monitor 7s

[bluezman32]

Hey All,

I have been looking at the Paradigm Monitor 7s (although I haven't found a place local to listen to them), and I like the specs.

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-monitor7-model-2-4-1-17.paradigm

I sampled a pair of Klipsch RF-52s and liked those, although they were using a Denon AVR and I have an Onkyo.

I like bright, tight, and accurate sound production. I am used to playing live music and I find that my listening tastes follow the same type of sound. Clear and accurate mids, tight snare and kick drums, etc.

As from my previous thread, I am building a 2.1 system and need to decide on a good pair of mains with a matching center channel. I have settled on purchasing an HSU VTF-2 MK 3 sub.

I would love to hear what y'all think of the Paradigms or anything you consider to be superior in the same price range.

Thanks!

 

[mazersteven]

although they were using a Denon AVR and I have an Onkyo.

As long as the receivers are within the same price point your not going to hear a difference between using a Denon, or an Onkyo. Or a Yamaha, Marantz, or any other receiver.

 

[mazersteven]

I like bright, tight, and accurate sound production. I am used to playing live music and I find that my listening tastes follow the same type of sound. Clear and accurate mids, tight snare and kick drums, etc.

That is not anything close to the Paradigm Monitor series. And the Monitor series is not in the same league as the Klipsch Reference series. IMO the Paradigm Studio series is what you should be auditioning.

 

[Midcow2]

good recommendation

That is not anything close to the Paradigm Monitor series. And the Monitor series is not in the same league as the Klipsch Reference series. IMO the Paradigm Studio series is what you should be auditioning.

mazersteven makes as very good recomendation!

 

[fredk]

Given your description of what type of music you like, I would also agree with Mazer. Compared to anything in the studio line, the Monitor 7 sounds muddy. It lacks the clarity of a really good quality speaker.

If you can find a Paradigm dealer in your area you can do the comparison yourself.

If you like the studio sound, also consider speakers from Axiom The M22, M60, and M80 have a similar sound to the studio line at a much lower price point.

You might also consider towers from PSB as they have a reputation for delivering clean sound and a flat frequency response at a good price point.

If you want to look as specs for different speakers, check out the link below. It will give you independant anechoic measurements for a number of speakers including Axiom, Paradigm and PSB along with lots of others. They may not cover all models you are looking at, but they will give you a very good idea of the performance of a given line.
http://www.soundstageav.com/audiovideoreviews.html

 

[mazersteven]

If you like the studio sound, also consider speakers from Axiom The M22, M60, and M80 have a similar sound to the studio line at a much lower price point.

Also my recommendation would be the SVS MBS-01 bookshelf speakers.

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

 

[bluezman32]

Thank you for all the information. I guess I should have prefaced my question with that fact I need to keep the price range between $700 - $1000 a pair (new) for whatever I buy.

What that said, does anyone have any experience with the PSB T45?

In light of my price point, how would you rate the Paradigm Monitors against those you listed?

Thanks,

Given your description of what type of music you like, I would also agree with Mazer. Compared to anything in the studio line, the Monitor 7 sounds muddy. It lacks the clarity of a really good quality speaker.

If you can find a Paradigm dealer in your area you can do the comparison yourself.

If you like the studio sound, also consider speakers from Axiom The M22, M60, and M80 have a similar sound to the studio line at a much lower price point.

You might also consider towers from PSB as they have a reputation for delivering clean sound and a flat frequency response at a good price point.

If you want to look as specs for different speakers, check out the link below. It will give you independant anechoic measurements for a number of speakers including Axiom, Paradigm and PSB along with lots of others. They may not cover all models you are looking at, but they will give you a very good idea of the performance of a given line.
http://www.soundstageav.com/audiovideoreviews.html

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You can talk the Studio 40's down to about 1k if you try long enough. I love the 40's and was actually more impressed with them than with my 100's if I factor in the price.

 

[fredk]

I have listened to the T45s, but it was not in a good listening environment as that dealer was trying to sell me their high margin speakers.

I believe there are some PSB owners around here. Hopefully one can give you a comparison.

The M22 would be similar to the Studio 40 and will play much cleaner than the Studio 7. As a bookself it will probably have less bass. There is a good review here at Audioholics that covers both the Studio 40 and the M22. If you type Axiom M22 into the search box you should find it.

The M60 is probably most similar to the Studio 60 and the M80 would be similar to the Studio 100. It is hard to say what the differences are between two speakers unless there are large differences like between the Monitor 7 and studio line or Axiom line or you have done a direct A/B comparison, which I have not.

The M60s would be at the top of your price range at around $950.

I own the M80 and would characterize them much like the sound you describe that you like. Live recording sound live (something I really like). They come across crisp and clean and they have that edge that live stuff should. Kick drums are tight. Not boomy or muddy like with the Monitor 7. The M80s are a little above your budget at around $1300.

The M60 is quite similar to the M80 with a little less bass and less detail in the highs. Perhaps a little less transparent??

Some describe the Axiom line as being bright, I don't think so. The 80s and 22s are unforgiving of poor recordings. If it is on the recording, good or bad, you will hear it. Good recordings like Clapton unplugged sound great. Well recorded chello and viol has that rich textured sound that these instruments should that the instruments have in a live performance.

Not so well recorded material sounds just like that. I have both Close to the Edge and Fragile by Yes. Its not that they sound outright bad, but like there is a veil in front of the music and that extra level of detail and subtlety is missing.

OK, enough babbling. If you have found the PSB T45 locally, give them a listen. Go back to the Paradigm dealer and listen to anything in the Studio line. Even if you can't afford them, it will give you some idea what you might be looking for: a reference point.

I'm going to go put my Viol disk now.

 

[mazersteven]

The M22 would be similar to the Studio 40 and will play much cleaner than the Studio 7. As a bookself it will probably have less bass. There is a good review here at Audioholics that covers both the Studio 40 and the M22.

I would like to read that review of the M22 vs, Studio 40.

At 1/3rd of the price of the Studio's I wonder why it's not recommended more if it's better then the Studio 40's. I would like to hear that for myself.

 

[fredk]

similar to the Studio 40 better than the Monitor 7. My mistake on typing the second Studio instead of Monitor.

The review favours the Studio 40, but at 1/3 the price the M22 is one hell of a speaker and quite often recommended by reviewers because it is.

 

[3db]

Thank you for all the information. I guess I should have prefaced my question with that fact I need to keep the price range between $700 - $1000 a pair (new) for whatever I buy.

What that said, does anyone have any experience with the PSB T45?

In light of my price point, how would you rate the Paradigm Monitors against those you listed?

Thanks,

I have the PSB T45s and I've chosen PSB Image series over Paradigmn's Monitor series. I find the mids on both series to be roughly the same but I find the highs a little more mellow on the PSBs (they invite you to listen rather than say "I'm here!" ) and I found the bass be tighter on the PSBs. Imaging and soundstaging were also slightly more detailed with the PSBs Thats why I chose the PSBs but you may hear entirely different than me. I suggest you audition for yourself with music you know intimately and make sure the loudness levels are matched between auditions. Take notes as well descriing each speakers sound, what they did and did not do well. This all helps. Good luck.

 

[bluezman32]

I have the PSB T45s and I've chosen PSB Image series over Paradigmn's Monitor series. I find the mids on both series to be roughly the same but I find the highs a little more mellow on the PSBs (they invite you to listen rather than say "I'm here!" ) and I found the bass be tighter on the PSBs. Imaging and soundstaging were also slightly more detailed with the PSBs Thats why I chose the PSBs but you may hear entirely different than me. I suggest you audition for yourself with music you know intimately and make sure the loudness levels are matched between auditions. Take notes as well descriing each speakers sound, what they did and did not do well. This all helps. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice! The only issue I am finding is there are no quality stereo shops in my local area. Just the normal Best Buy and Circuit City places. I found one place that sells Martin Logans, but they are way out of my price range.

 

[bluezman32]

I have the PSB T45s and I've chosen PSB Image series over Paradigmn's Monitor series. I find the mids on both series to be roughly the same but I find the highs a little more mellow on the PSBs (they invite you to listen rather than say "I'm here!" ) and I found the bass be tighter on the PSBs. Imaging and soundstaging were also slightly more detailed with the PSBs Thats why I chose the PSBs but you may hear entirely different than me. I suggest you audition for yourself with music you know intimately and make sure the loudness levels are matched between auditions. Take notes as well descriing each speakers sound, what they did and did not do well. This all helps. Good luck.

What would be a good price "used" for the T 45s?

 

[mazersteven]

What would be a good price "used" for the T 45s?

At $499 who needs used.

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/image_maple_sale.htm

I would pay no more then $250 for Pre-Owned.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You can talk the Studio 40's down to about 1k if you try long enough. I love the 40's and was actually more impressed with them than with my 100's if I factor in the price.

Oh, no, you're not thinking about UPGRADES already, are you?

 

[3db]

What would be a good price "used" for the T 45s?

They retail for $799. new. There's a few online sites that sell the T45s for less but I don't know if they are under factory warranty. Other members may have a better idea than me on this issue.

 

[dobyblue]

I thought the Monitor 7v4 was a much better speaker for the money than the Monitor 7v5 which seemed to shrink substantially, as did the sound.

The 7v4 was a very well-rounded speaker, although not in the same league as the studio series.

The Axiom M60v2 is CDN$950. You can have it to audition for 30 days. It's a good speaker at a fantastic price.

http://axiomaudio.com/m60.html

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No because I dont factor in the price

Oh, no, you're not thinking about UPGRADES already, are you?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

No because I dont factor in the price

Okay. You passed the AH test. Price should not be a factor.