Paradigm Speaker Dilema

[spudrcr]

Help, can someone guide me in the right direction.. I'm trying to start a HT and will start with the mains and center. For the Mains, i'm trying to decide between the Monitor 7 or 11 vs. the Studio 40 or 60. I know the stuidios are more expensive, but are they worth the money. I'm currently using a Yamaha RXV1300, room size is 13'x17' that opens up into the kitchen.

 

[Quig]

Only you can answer that question... It's your system. You need to find a dealer that has the Monitor and Reference lines and listen to both. Then, and only then can you make an educated decision on which speaker to purchase.


For what it's worth... I have Monitor 11's and am very pleased with them.

 

[GeneticDrift]

I'm with quig, I like the monitor line sound a bit more.
I have recently ordered a set of 11's.

Quig what receiver to you run your 11's with?
I have the HK avr 230 currently but I ordered a new HK avr 630 which should be here the early part of next week, I'm going to 1st try the 11's with the 230 but i think it may be a bit underpowered.

 

[tedmjr2]

Same Dilemma

I went through the same decision last year and was able to compare them all at a local dealer. To me, the Studio 40 v.3 sounded significantly better than both Monitor 7 v.3 and 11 v.3 (newest Monitors are v.4). Their soundstage was much wider and upper-bass much tighter. Since I couldn't determine that much difference between the Studio 40s and 60s "accompanied with a subwoofer," I finally decided with the Studio 40s.

 

[zepaholic]

40's

I went through the same decision last year and was able to compare them all at a local dealer. To me, the Studio 40 v.3 sounded significantly better than both Monitor 7 v.3 and 11 v.3 (newest Monitors are v.4). Their soundstage was much wider and upper-bass much tighter. Since I couldn't determine that much difference between the Studio 40s and 60s "accompanied with a subwoofer," I finally decided with the Studio 40s.

I agree 100% I listened to all versions and the 40's were much better. I have a set a 40's ordered.

 

[GeneticDrift]

I fall into the group of listeners who prefer a more laid back sound such as the difference between the monitor to studio line.

Last week I listened to the studio 100's and the 60's, I also listened to the monitor 7's at the same time. I agree the sound difference is noticeable between the 2, I personally do not care for the monitor 7's as they are too light in the bass department and they just sound like something is missing to me.

On the other hand I thought the 100's and the 60's had too much emphasis on the mids. For some reason my ears can’t take too much of those frequencies for long, for this reason I tend to enjoy the laid back sound of the monitors

EDIT:
The 1st time I auditioned the studios I did not have the treble adjusted to my liking and they were played from an old traded in receiver at my local dealer, I think this is what made the highs so abundant at that time.

I since have spent more time listening to the studios thru a Pioneer Elite receiver and find them wonderful and quite neutral with a slight midrange push. They really pop with the added power of the Elite.

 

[Quig]

I'm with quig, I like the monitor line sound a bit more.
I have recently ordered a set of 11's.

Quig what receiver to you run your 11's with?
I have the HK avr 230 currently but I ordered a new HK avr 630 which should be here the early part of next week, I'm going to 1st try the 11's with the 230 but i think it may be a bit underpowered.

I just picked up a Yamaha RX-V2500 a month or two ago... So far I couldn't be happier with it. I can't comment too much on the amplifier power though as I use a Carver amp to drive the mains.

 

[Quig]

I fall into the group of listeners who prefer a more laid back sound such as the difference between the monitor to studio line.

Last week I listened to the studio 100's and the 60's, I also listened to the monitor 7's at the same time. I agree the sound difference is noticeable between the 2, I personally do not care for the monitor 7's as they are too light in the bass department and they just sound like something is missing to me.

On the other hand I thought the 100's and the 60's had too much emphasis on the mids. For some reason my ears can’t take too much of those frequencies for long, for this reason I tend to enjoy the laid back sound of the monitors.

I agree that the Monitor's lack a bit in the Bass department... I however knew this before purchasing them and I don't ever use my system without the subwoofer on. With my set-up there is NO shortage of Bass.

 

[GeneticDrift]

quig i was only refering to the monitor 7's, i m sure the 11's will have abundant bass.

 

[Quig]

quig i was only refering to the monitor 7's, i m sure the 11's will have abundant bass.

You'd be suprised.

In my opinion even they lack bass, but I like a fairly bass-heavy sound too.

 

[jimmit]

Yes, in my opinion they are worth the money. However, don't rule out the Reference Studio 20's. Here's why:

When I was shopping for speakers, I narrowed it down to the Studio 20's and 40's. Both sounded great; the 40's were a little more "full," but the 20's imaged noticeably better. I really wanted the 20's but was concerned that they wouldn't move enough air in my 4000+ c.f. area (18' x 18' family room open to kitchen/breakfast rm, dining rm and foyer). My dealer allowed me to try the 20's for ten days. Well, long story short -- I ended up keeping the 20's. They fill the room(s) quite nicely.

For the 20's, I'd recommend the CC-470 -- its drivers match up better with the 20's than the larger CC-570 and its $200 cheaper. The configuration of my rooms did not allow me to use the recommended surrounds so I ended up with SA-10's in the ceiling. I'm very happy with them.

With a pretty much standard discount, the 20's should set you back around $700 or so -- about $45 more than the Monitor 7's and about $350 less than the 40's.

Whether you decide to go for the Studios or something in the Monitor line, you'll be getting your money's worth either way. Not that there aren't other fine speakers out there, but Paradigm has built a reputation of offering alot of speaker for your money.

Good luck!

 

[spudrcr]

Thanks for all the great info

I really need to get out and find a place that has both to listen to at the same time. I did not know they would let you "Demo" them, i will have to ask. My room is not much smaller, 13' x 17' but it too opens into the kitchen area. What sort of discount should i be expecting or should i try to push for. I'm also looking to get used, from what i've read no later than the V3 series. My wife on the other hand is pushing me towards the Cinema 110 series so i have to battles, one to decide which speaker for the mains and then to sell her on those versus the smaller more appealing Cinema series for about $800 for the 5 speakers and sub. Instead of an inlaw quarters, they need to invent the Wives quarter. Thanks for your help.

 

[jimmit]

spudrcr - I apologize for not making myself more clear about my "trying" the 20's. What my dealer agreed to was this: I could purchase the 20's and use them in my home for ten days. At the end of those ten days, if I felt that the 20's were not adequate and I needed the 40's, I could return them for full credit toward the 40's. Of course, this was assuming that the 20's were returned in pristine condition with boxes, paperwork, etc. As I indicated in my earlier post, it wasn't necessary because I kept the 20's. There may be some dealers who will allow you to "demo" the speakers in your home, but I haven't run across any.

Buying used is an option. I don't have experience buying used equipment but with respect to most audio gear, warranties are not transferable (Bryston and Outlaw are a couple of the exceptions which come to mind; I'm sure there are a few more). If you decide to buy used, I'd gravitate toward Internet audio sites like audiogon where audio folks are more likely to have taken care of their gear. With respect to Paradigm's Reference Studio series speakers, I believe they are still on version 3. I have seen version 3 stuff on audiogon at reasonable prices.

As far as authorized dealer discounts go, of the four or five Paradigm dealers I shopped at, all but one were willing to offer discounts ranging from about 10 - 15%. I didn't negotiate cables or stands, but most dealers should discount those as well and some may even throw one or the other in for free, depending on how much of a discount they're giving on the speakers. Also, the more gear you buy from any given dealer, the more negotiable they usually are.

I've never heard Paradigm's Cinema series speakers so I can't comment on their sound, but they appear to have a high WAF.

Finally, yes, you should get out and listen to them. Be sure to take along some of your own CD's; ones you are very familiar with. Remember, when you are A/B'ing the speakers, they have different sensitivities. In general, the speaker with a lower sensitivity will play a little louder. Don't mistake louder for better. To my ears, the Studios are notably better than the Monitors, but, after listening, you may not agree. And if you do think the Studios are better, you may not think they are $xxx.00 better. Like quig suggested, it's what sounds best to you that's most important.

Good luck!

 

[spudrcr]

Waf

Sorry, i'm not sure what you mean by WAF. Could you please expand on that statement. Thanks.

 

[jaxvon]

WAF= Wife Acceptance Factor. Obviously very important to any man with a wife or girlfriend that isn't an audiophile herself and cannot see the value in having anything larger than crappy Bose cubes for a speaker system.

 

[spudrcr]

Waf

That made me laugh, i'm not sure if there is a correct answer. I'm sure the Cinema series 110 had a lot of research put into it as it seems most speaker companies are having to deal with the WAF factor. I would only guess they would put something out that carried their name and reputation to the highest standards possible for what is given. WAF. I'll have to remember that one. Thanks. If you do get a chance to hear them or if anyone has heard the Paradigm Cinema 110, please respond.