Paradigm Phantom vs Paradigm Monitor 9

[Fowl]

Ok Guys,

I went to the paradigm dealer today and listened to tve Monitor 9's and the Studio 40's. Unfortunately I cannot afford the studio's they are US$1300. So I guess I will stick with the 9's. I have a question though before I make the purchase.

I am not really good on measuring speaker by hertz and other numbers so I will post teh specs on my current phantoms vs the monitor 9's and I am asking guys if the change will be a significant upgrade. So here it is.

Monitor 9's
Design 4-driver, 2-1/2-way bass reflex, quasi-3rd-order resistive
port, MagneShield™Optional††
Crossover 3rd-order electro-acoustic at 1.9 kHz, 2nd-order
electro-acoustic at 500 Hz (lower bass drivers)
High-Frequency Driver 25-mm (1 in) H-PTD™ dome, ferro-fluid cooled
Bass / Midrange Driver(s) 165-mm (6-1/2 in) M-ICP™ cone, 25-mm (1 in) voice coil,
die-cast heatsink chassis
Bass Driver Two 165-mm (6-1/2 in) carbon-infused polypropylene
cones, 25-mm (1 in) voice coils, die-cast heatsink chassis
Low Frequency Extension 39 Hz (DIN)
Frequency Response:
On-Axis ±2 dB from 51 Hz - 20 kHz
30° Off-Axis ±2 dB from 51 Hz - 15 kHz
Sensitivity - Room / Anechoic 96 dB / 93 dB
Suitable Amplifier Power Range 15 - 200 watts
Maximum Input Power 150 watts
Impedance Compatible with 8 ohms
Internal Volume 39.2 L / 1.38 cu ft
Height, Width, Depth 102.3 cm x 19 cm x 33.6 cm



Now here is the specs on the Phantoms
3-driver, 2-way bass reflex, quasi-3rd-order resistive port
High-Frequency Driver : 25mm (1in) CMC™ ceramic/metal composite dome
Two 165mm (6-1/2in) MPC™ metallescent cones, GRIP™ chasis
Low Frequency Extension (DIN) : 38Hz (DIN)
Frequency Response : 49Hz - 20kHz, +/- 2dB (on-axis) 49Hz - 18kHz, +/- 2dB (off-axis)
91dB / 88dB
15 - 160 watts
100 watts
8 ohms
Internal Volume 1.31cuf
37 x 7-3/4 x 12-5/8in
66 lbs per pair

Let me know
Fowl

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Where do you live, if you are around me, I can probably get them for 1,000.

On the spec. side, you cant hear numbers so they are all but useless in helping you here.

Ok Guys,

I went to the paradigm dealer today and listened to tve Monitor 9's and the Studio 40's. Unfortunately I cannot afford the studio's they are US$1300. So I guess I will stick with the 9's. I have a question though before I make the purchase.

I am not really good on measuring speaker by hertz and other numbers so I will post teh specs on my current phantoms vs the monitor 9's and I am asking guys if the change will be a significant upgrade. So here it is.

Monitor 9's
Design 4-driver, 2-1/2-way bass reflex, quasi-3rd-order resistive
port, MagneShield™Optional††
Crossover 3rd-order electro-acoustic at 1.9 kHz, 2nd-order
electro-acoustic at 500 Hz (lower bass drivers)
High-Frequency Driver 25-mm (1 in) H-PTD™ dome, ferro-fluid cooled
Bass / Midrange Driver(s) 165-mm (6-1/2 in) M-ICP™ cone, 25-mm (1 in) voice coil,
die-cast heatsink chassis
Bass Driver Two 165-mm (6-1/2 in) carbon-infused polypropylene
cones, 25-mm (1 in) voice coils, die-cast heatsink chassis
Low Frequency Extension 39 Hz (DIN)
Frequency Response:
On-Axis ±2 dB from 51 Hz - 20 kHz
30° Off-Axis ±2 dB from 51 Hz - 15 kHz
Sensitivity - Room / Anechoic 96 dB / 93 dB
Suitable Amplifier Power Range 15 - 200 watts
Maximum Input Power 150 watts
Impedance Compatible with 8 ohms
Internal Volume 39.2 L / 1.38 cu ft
Height, Width, Depth 102.3 cm x 19 cm x 33.6 cm



Now here is the specs on the Phantoms
3-driver, 2-way bass reflex, quasi-3rd-order resistive port
High-Frequency Driver : 25mm (1in) CMC™ ceramic/metal composite dome
Two 165mm (6-1/2in) MPC™ metallescent cones, GRIP™ chasis
Low Frequency Extension (DIN) : 38Hz (DIN)
Frequency Response : 49Hz - 20kHz, +/- 2dB (on-axis) 49Hz - 18kHz, +/- 2dB (off-axis)
91dB / 88dB
15 - 160 watts
100 watts
8 ohms
Internal Volume 1.31cuf
37 x 7-3/4 x 12-5/8in
66 lbs per pair

Let me know
Fowl

 

[Fowl]

Thanks for the offer Greg but I live in Grand Cayman that is in the Caribbean.

I honestly thought that the numbers would help. So why then do people go so much on numbers Ah I guess I am back to square 1.

Bummer

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep, I have done some SCUBA there but that's a little too far from Texas to use my dealer.

Some people on here throw around specs so they may try to help but in the end, it doesnt tell you if they sound better or not. Is your dealer up to letting you take them home for a shoot-out or can you takes yours up there?

Thanks for the offer Greg but I live in Grand Cayman that is in the Caribbean.

I honestly thought that the numbers would help. So why then do people go so much on numbers Ah I guess I am back to square 1.

Bummer

 

[BabelFish]

Thanks for the offer Greg but I live in Grand Cayman that is in the Caribbean.

I honestly thought that the numbers would help. So why then do people go so much on numbers Ah I guess I am back to square 1.

Bummer

specs do count as to what is stronger and what can handle what but greg is right.. What matters is what sounds good to you.. and no numbers can determine that... each speaker has its own sound to it... even when they have the same "numbers"...

 

[3db]

I think you may need to rethink your approach. Instead of looking at the specs, listen to the speakers instead and take notes. Here's my approach;

What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy
and loose sounding? Were themids life like or were they hollow or just too
pronounced? Was the trebleirritating and harsh or were they dark and not
revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce acurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can makeout what the mumbling announcer has to say, then you have a good center channel.

I would go to speciality stores first and start auditioning speakers first
instead of going to the internet first. Once your likes are determined, you can
mention them here and fellow members can make internet brand recommnedations based on your likes/dislikes. The specality stores are better setup acousticaly then the big box stores which will make auditioning a little easier. It will give you an idea of what you like in a speaker.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

Then look at the specs to see what kind of power you require to run the speakers. Four ohm speakers are very difficult to drive for most receivers. If you feel that both speakers tie from a sound perspective, get the speakers with the better specs. This is where specs will help you.

 

[Fowl]

Thank you very much for those reminders, Will keep you guys posted.