Paradigm S8

[rl168]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and need some suggestions. I apologize in advance for the long post. My wife likes to listen to jazz, acoustic vocal and classical music, so we decided to get a new pair of speakers. At first, I thought my existing Infinity speakers are good enough. But after listening to the same CD on my set, and on my buddy's S4 (he just bought them), we realized our Infinity is pretty bad. So, we went to listen to a pair of S4 at the dealer and we liked it. We were going to buy it until the dealer let us compare the S4 to the S8, and both of us like the S8 better after the comparison.

I can get the set of demo S8 in the store for $4k, the price of a brand new set is about $500 higher. Unfortunately, there is no more inventory of the S8 (I am referring to the version 1, not the version 2 that is releasing soon). The demo set has been in the store for about 1 year. There is some damage to one of the tweeter but the dealer assured me he would replace it for me. Being inexperienced in buying speakers, I can't help but thinking of comparing this to buying a new car with close to zero mileage, or buying a used car with mileage on it. Should I buy the demo set? After being a demo set for a year, how will that affect the performance and reliability of the speakers? Also, will replacing the damage tweeter lower the overall quality of the speaker?

My other option is to get the version 2 that cost $1400 more. But realizing my existing Yamaha receiver is not sufficient for the S8, I can probably invest that extra $1400 on a set of receiver and/or amplifier, and a good set of CD player. Would you agree?

At the store, we also listened to a vacuum tube amplifier, that makes the music and vocal sound so natural and full. It is hard to describe but it sounds good compared to digital amp/receiver. That brings to my final question, what kind of setup (receiver, amp, cd/dvd player) would you recommend for a pair of S8? I would be using it to listen to music, and occasionally watching movies. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker Reliability

Those Paradigms can handle tons of power so I wouldn't worry about damage asside from any external physical damage. I have had good experience buying slightly used gear on Audiogon.com, but I don't see any Paradigm Signitures listed right now. On this type of speaker, the tweeters might be a matched pair so I would enquire w/ paradigm before you buy and the dealer replaces 1 of them.

Also, in your high end budget, you deserve to listen to a few other options and let your ears decide.

Since you mention that these will be for music and you like the sound of a tube amp, check out the new Strata Minis from AV123.com. They have a package with their SP3 tube integrated amp for only $2k.

 

[B5I8]

At that price point I think the Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature System would be something you should consider. They use some of the best drivers around. You can get them for $4.8k direct from the factory.

 

[j_garcia]

There are a lot of great speakers at that price. I like the Signatures, but I'd recommend giving the Joseph Audio line a listen. Probably the RM25Si

 

[B5I8]

There are a lot of great speakers at that price. I like the Signatures, but I'd recommend giving the Joseph Audio line a listen. Probably the RM25Si

Take a look at the drivers in the Joseph Audio Pearl's and take a look at the Tyler Acoustics Linbrook drivers. They're the same. They both use the SEAS Excel line of drivers. The Tyler Acoustics are just cheaper. Your Joseph Audio RM25Si's use the SEAS 7" drivers found in Tyler Acoustic's Freedom line and the Tweeter looks like the Scanspeak Revelator tweeter that's in their Taylo line and also in the RBH Sound Signature series.

 

[j_garcia]

Drivers aren't the only thing that make a speaker sound great, and there are a number of companies that use SEAS drivers. JA has a very unique x-over design that I haven't seen in any other speakers and it seems to work very well. Tylers look very nice though.

 

[B5I8]

Yes, I agree, X-Over's play a big role in how a speaker sounds along with the cabinets.

 

[kgb540]

welcome to the forum rl168. one thing you'll notice about this forum is that certain members go out of their way to ignore your questions and interject their own agenda. I'm suprised noone suggested you forget the Paradigms and use all SVS subs. Since all you asked about was Paradigm, we'll stick to the speakers in question, the S-8's. If you can save big money over the "improved" S-8 V.2's, at this point it would make sense for you to purchase the demos (as long as the dealer can make it right with the tweeters) and invest the extra money into bringing the rest of your system up to par. To address the reliability aspect, you should get the full mfg. warranty with the demos since you bought them from your dealer and a speaker of this quality will last decades with proper use. There is no guarentee that you will like the V.2's of the S-8's any more than the current version and improving other areas of your system will be more beneficial no matter what speakers you decide to get. the S-8's are a very, very detailed and resolving speaker so dont ever feel like you have a "lesser" speaker just because Paradigm has released a new version. Good luck and please let us know how it turns out.

 

[just_visiting]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and need some suggestions. I apologize in advance for the long post. My wife likes to listen to jazz, acoustic vocal and classical music, so we decided to get a new pair of speakers. At first, I thought my existing Infinity speakers are good enough. But after listening to the same CD on my set, and on my buddy's S4 (he just bought them), we realized our Infinity is pretty bad. So, we went to listen to a pair of S4 at the dealer and we liked it. We were going to buy it until the dealer let us compare the S4 to the S8, and both of us like the S8 better after the comparison.

I can get the set of demo S8 in the store for $4k, the price of a brand new set is about $500 higher. Unfortunately, there is no more inventory of the S8 (I am referring to the version 1, not the version 2 that is releasing soon). The demo set has been in the store for about 1 year. There is some damage to one of the tweeter but the dealer assured me he would replace it for me. Being inexperienced in buying speakers, I can't help but thinking of comparing this to buying a new car with close to zero mileage, or buying a used car with mileage on it. Should I buy the demo set? After being a demo set for a year, how will that affect the performance and reliability of the speakers? Also, will replacing the damage tweeter lower the overall quality of the speaker?

My other option is to get the version 2 that cost $1400 more. But realizing my existing Yamaha receiver is not sufficient for the S8, I can probably invest that extra $1400 on a set of receiver and/or amplifier, and a good set of CD player. Would you agree?

At the store, we also listened to a vacuum tube amplifier, that makes the music and vocal sound so natural and full. It is hard to describe but it sounds good compared to digital amp/receiver. That brings to my final question, what kind of setup (receiver, amp, cd/dvd player) would you recommend for a pair of S8? I would be using it to listen to music, and occasionally watching movies. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

When I bought my Paradigm Studio 100 the dealer had the S8 hooked up to an Anthem Statement P2 amp and an Anthem Statement D2 processor and it sounded just beautifully. I just could not afford them at that time. I'm currently saving up for the Statement P2 amp, looking to go 7.1 later on.

 

[B5I8]

When I bought my Paradigm Studio 100 the dealer had the S8 hooked up to an Anthem Statement P2 amp and an Anthem Statement D2 processor and it sounded just beautifully. I just could not afford them at that time. I'm currently saving up for the Statement P2 amp, looking to go 7.1 later on.

Now that sounds like a pretty sweet setup. The Anthem Statement lineup is very very nice. If I had the money to burn that's prolly what I'd buy.

 

[rl168]

Just want to give you guys an update. I went ahead and bought the demo S8, and they are sitting in my game room now

The Anthem P2 and the D2, anyone know how much will that setup cost?

 

[Pianoman84d]

Alot of $$$$$$$. Seriously, those are hardcore amps.

 

[revel22]

Just want to give you guys an update. I went ahead and bought the demo S8, and they are sitting in my game room now

The Anthem P2 and the D2, anyone know how much will that setup cost?

Somewhere in the ballpark of $2500 for the P2 and $7000 for the D2 or a total of $9000. Maybe forget the D2 and look at the AVM 50 for $4700. I am considering buying Paradigm's Signature S-8's, C5, ADP and Servo sub along with the P5 amp and the AVM 50 processor and I believe the quote was $22,500. I will add the 2 extra ADP's at a later date if I feel I need them. Price excludes cables or installation.

 

[ctwed]

Greetings,
As the member who started the S8 discussion seems to have made his speaker decision, I would like to continue the discussion of the power component of his original query. I am also considering the S8's. My query is: How much power (watts/channel) is needed to dirve these speakers. I know, I know, "more is better" however the dreaded budget raises its ugly head. Can I due justice to these beasts with a receiver producing 140w/ch 7.1? Can I use the reprogramable 6th and 7th channel to bi-amp the fronts if I only use 5.1? These speakers will be used 80% for music and 20% for movies. Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
ctwed

 

[seanpat50]

Like minds with same questions

I am also contemplating the S8 and C5 purchase. New amp I am considring is NAD 140 watt package with m15,m25 and m55. I have same question on power and also room size for these speakers regarding overkill, either a 14 by 12 media or 20 x 20 family room. Any suggestions or like dollar alternatives would be appreciated. Looking at demo s8's to try to put my budget within reach so Divorce doesn't cost more.LOL

 

[Warpdrv]

Congrats on your Newly aquired deal on the S8's.... beautiful looking speakers, I have a full 6.2 Studio .v4 lineup, and compared side by side the sound of powering with a receiver next to my Rotel 200x5 amp, and at lower volumes the difference wasn't as noticable, but at reference levels you could distinctly notice that the speakers were drastically under powered. I personally wouldn't drive those speakers with anything less then 200 watts per channel.

Remember that Receivers are mostly tested with a single channel, and they usually don't have the built in power supply to drive all 5 or 7 channels at those measured specs period... There is a ton of info about these power ratings in receivers or lack there of...

I would say deffinately invest in a good amp the more power the cleaner those S8's will sound...... the Anthems amps are awesome, but expensive, and you could save alot of money by looking at other options. There are tons of different amps out there, Used on Audiogon, or new at your dealers.

If money is no object by all means get the Anthem. The D2 or AVM 50 are both on my short list of equipment to be acquiring. Here is a thread dedicated to the Anthem D2 & AVM 50.

 

[Rickster71]

Good Luck with your S8's
I had a similar buying experience with my S8's
I went armed with a few CD's to give the S4's a listen, and I did buy them.
We also heard the S8's and loved them, but chalked it up as a speaker I'd
never own.
Months later my wife surprised me for Valentines day with the S8's.
As for power requirements, I got this from an S8 review.
"Suitable power range is 15 to 500 watts."

As far as cost for The Anthem P2 and the D2, I'd check around the web.

I apologize in advance for bringing up a brand, other then what you've asked about. This may save you some money.
Give Emotiva a look. They've been reviewed by Audioholics, and are a
net direct co. And an advertiser on this site.
I think they are still offering free shipping to Audioholic members.
I just got the DMC-1 pre amp and the MPS-1 last month, $3,000 for the pair.
I'm very happy with them.