Paradigm Monitor 90p (Discontinued!!! UHG)

[j_garcia]

The 40s and 60s use the exact same drivers, the only difference is cabinet tuning and size. The larger enclosure of the 60s gives you a little more bass extension, but with a good sub, the 40s will already do fine. IMO, it will come down to a personal preference, mostly visually. I feel the 40s are a bit more controlled because they don't have the lower tuned cabinet. One other thing to consider is that the 40s will most likely need stands too.

 

[BabelFish]

What are the normal price for the stands and what brand do you recommend (Paradigm or some\one else)?

 

[j_garcia]

You can get good stands for around $100-150. Paradigm's stands (J series) are more than that though, and other than looking nice, they don't really offer any real advantage over any other stand. The S series are OK, but aren't near the same quality as the J series. I think they run about $100/pr. or so.

I use the Parts Express High Mass stands. They are without question the sturdiest stands I've found for the price. Part Number 240-744

 

[BabelFish]

are those ok on hardwood floors?

 

[j_garcia]

The spikes are removable and you can either find some rubber feet that fit the threads or just use some sticky rubber feet on the bottom. They also sell little metal "pads" with indents on them that you can put under the spikes for a few dollars.

 

[BabelFish]

Sounds good.. I added them to my purchase list

 

[j_garcia]

I do have to mention though, the top plate is wider than the 40s, so there is a little "overhang" of the plate on the left and right side compared to the speakers (I've had the 40s in my setup).

 

[Nuglets]

Another difference between the 40's and the 60's is price. I really can't give you an estimate at the moment on either of them but I do imagine that the 60's will cost you a few hundred more so if you are getting a sub like the SVS you can save some cash by getting the 40's and not lose any performance overall.

 

[Dizastical]

when i listened to both in person i did notice a distinct difference between the two. i would spenjd the extra money and get the 60s so you dont wonder if you should have latter down the road.

 

[BabelFish]

yeah, its still in the air. if I can swing it, I would like to get the 60s. It will all depend on how much I can save and what everything else costs.

 

[Nuglets]

when i listened to both in person i did notice a distinct difference between the two. i would spenjd the extra money and get the 60s so you dont wonder if you should have latter down the road.

You will notice a distinct difference if you were listening to them by themselves with a full range signal going to them. If you listen to them crossed over at the same frequency with the same receiver and powered subwoofer I doubt you will notice the difference because they use the exact same driver's. Any noticeable difference can probably be attributed to something other than the speaker itself if you did this test as I have described.

 

[BabelFish]

"full range signal going to them" ?? meaning only those speakers hooked up?

Just curious. If there is no difference then why sell the two different types. The the answer is Bookshelf vs Free Standing then the price difference seems rather high for just that.

You will notice a distinct difference if you were listening to them by themselves with a full range signal going to them. If you listen to them crossed over at the same frequency with the same receiver and powered subwoofer I doubt you will notice the difference because they use the exact same driver's. Any noticeable difference can probably be attributed to something other than the speaker itself if you did this test as I have described.

 

[j_garcia]

I already said this before, the 60s have a larger cabinet and lower tuning, so despite the identical drivers, the 60s will give you more bass. That is the only difference. The 60s would allow you to cross over lower to the sub, say 60Hz if you have a processor that allows that, but if you cross them both at 80Hz, they will sound pretty much the same.

 

[BabelFish]

You are right. You did say that before.

I already said this before, the 60s have a larger cabinet and lower tuning, so despite the identical drivers, the 60s will give you more bass. That is the only difference. The 60s would allow you to cross over lower to the sub, say 60Hz if you have a processor that allows that, but if you cross them both at 80Hz, they will sound pretty much the same.

 

[Nuglets]

And that's exactly what I meant also. That is why you would hear a difference between the 40's and the 60's if you listen to only them sent a full range signal without a subwoofer. If however, you use a receiver's bass management to send low frequencies to a subwoofer and anything above the crossover point to the front speaker's you shouldn't hear any difference because the driver's are exactly the same and the only difference is the tuning of the cabinet which is irrelevant because the low frequencies will roll off quite sharply and the subwoofer will handle them.

 

[Warpdrv]

So just figuring in dollars and sense with a 10% discount.
If you get the 40's... add a pair of stands for $150.
your only about $200. shy of the 60's...
Because I see he has a SVS sub in the mix, and how often will he be shutting that big $$ box off to listen to 2 channel full speaker sound...
I have a stinking suspicion that SVS will never be shut off.. hehehh

Now does having a floorstander differ in the abilities of placement, as opposed to monitors on a stand...

I should be receiving my Studio 100's this week, So I'll have to get back to ya about room placement.. not that I have a lot of options..

 

[BabelFish]

I have a stinking suspicion that SVS will never be shut off.. hehehh

Does anyone have a SVS and a new born? We don't have any yet... but maybe in the near future... (nothing in the oven yet).. Does the rolling bass cause the same affect as a long car ride for the little ones? I can only hope.

If not, then there may be a reason to turn it down/off at times. In that case the 60s may come in handy so I will have some low end.

 

[Nuglets]

It's up to you, but in my opinion bass at 30Hz is just as annoying as bass at 15-20Hz when I'm trying to sleep. Basically if you are attempting to be quiet, the only way to do so is to turn the overall volume down. It will give you similar result's whether you have the 40's with the sub on or the 60's without the sub on assuming that the sub level is correct relative to the mains. The 60's will not go as low without the sub, but 30Hz is still bass and it will be just as bothersome as 20Hz in my opinion so if you are attempting to keep the bass quiet you will have to cross them over at a higher frequency anyways or just turn the volume down. I don't think that the 60's will have any advantage over the 40's in your situation.

Also, just because that sub is enormous and is capable of producing very loud bass doesn't mean that it is always loud. If the system is properly setup the sub should blend in as an extension of the mains so it shouldn't be any louder relative to the other speaker's.

 

[Warpdrv]

Also, just because that sub is enormous and is capable of producing very loud bass doesn't mean that it is always loud. If the system is properly setup the sub should blend in as an extension of the mains so it shouldn't be any louder relative to the other speaker's.

+1 on that Nuglets...

Mine is crossed over right now at 50hz and I roll off the sub a little higher, and it blends in beautifully, substancial bass going to the sub, and still get mid bass in my polks.. blends perfectly...

Im just a freakin twitchy bastard here waiting for my Paradigms.. grrrr

 

[BabelFish]

It really sounds like everyone is suggesting the 40s. I am just not sure why I would want to go with the 60s. Maybe it is something to do with wanting the floorstanding model. (it might just be mental). If the difference is only $200 (after including the stands) then I might just put the extra $200 and get the next model up. It is hard going from the 90p (Floorstanding) to the 40s. Then again, I haven't seen either (40s or the 60s) in person yet. Dealers near me didn't have them on the floor.