Paradigm Studio 20's or 40's?

[jmorgan127]

Some of you may remember my previous thread discussing the various options in the Paradigm Studio line 40’s, 60’s, or 100’s. And you may remember that, after a listening test, I fell in love with the 100’s. In fact I had all but bought the Studio 100’s.

Alas, life has conspired against me (mostly in the form of Money and Space). So I am backing off my grand visions and looking a little smaller. Bookshelf’s to be exact. There are a lot of good words out there on the Studio 40’s and I have read some articles on the Studio 20’s, but I have never seen any comparisons. Also of note, in my listening test I preferred the 40’s to all of the Paradigm Monitor line.

My plan would be to buy the Studio 20’s or 40’s with a good sub (currently thinking the Outlaw LFM-1) matched up with the Outlaw 1070 (when it finally comes out). Over time I would add the Paradigm Studio centers, and rears, and finally add a couple of block amps and get the 100’s. The 20’s / 40’s would then be moved to another room or used in a 7.1 setup.

I am looking for your thoughts on this. I would really rather go with the 20’s because of their size and ability to re-task later. But I have a big room to fill, open loft with a 15 x 15 listening / viewing area in a 25 x 35 room with 11 foot ceilings. I am assuming that the Outlaw 1070 at 65w per channel all driven will be enough power (the word is Outlaw rates their power very conservatively).

As I am new at this I am also a little concerned that the 40’s with a sub will produce a better overall sound than the 20’s with a sub (just because the 40’s have 2 mid drivers and the 20’s only one). Is this silly newbie thinking?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Jeff

 

[jmorgan127]

Help...

I just wanted to again extend my plee for help.

My question has rolled off the front page without any replies. I know most of you have had this discussion before but I really would appriciate any thoughts.

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[Jason Coleman]

Jeff-

Will your Paradigm dealer let you take home the speakers and audition them in your house? That's really the best way to tell which one will be the better fit. Or maybe you could buy the 20's and see if they do the trick. If not, return them for the 40's. I think you'll be happy with either pair...they're both excellent speakers.

Jason

 

[jmorgan127]

Home Auditions

Jason,

I have an e-mail out to my dealer to see if he carries the 20's. I auditioned the Paradigms at 2 dealers in the Atlanta area, neither of them showed me the 20's, only the 40's, 60's and 100's. I don't have that much experience so I was hoping to get a bit more background information from the knowledgable Audioholics readers before going to the dealers (the dealers can have opinions motivated by things other than my best interest). I am not going to have a sub and reciever for a bit and was hoping to have some idea if it was the 20's or 40's before buying them or taking them home.

Sounds like you see the 20's and 40's as almost equal, is this true? Would you use the same sub with either?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Jason Coleman]

Jeff-

The 40's are definitely a step up from the 20's. They have a fuller sound, lower extension, and would probably be my choice for bookshelf-style front speakers. However, if you plan to move whichever ones you end up getting to the surround position, I might go with the 20's. If it's not going to be too long until you're able to upgrade the fronts, I'd go with the 20's and a decent sub (I use the Servo-15) for now.

Jason

 

[TPERIOD]

Paradigms

System:

Studio 100v.3 Fronts, 60v.3 Sides, 20v.3 rears, CC-570 Center, Def Tech Super Cube Ref Sub.

I purchased these speakers one set at a time over a period of one year because of financial restraints. That is my recomendation. Don't settle for less. Wait and get what you want. My 20's started up front and ended up in the back. The 20's are great front speakers. Soundstage is magnificent! Crossover set at 60Hz for movies; 40Hz for music. You will be happy! System driven by Denon AVR-3805 and I see no need for more power. Can't even play this system beyond 5db's without the neighbors calling the police! Good luck!

 

[Jason Coleman]

Tperiod-

You're driving a hefty Reference 7.1 with the 3805 pulling solo duty and you don't think you need external amplification? Paradigm recommends up to 250 wpc for the 100's alone. I've got the 100's and the 570 and ADP-170's in the rear and an amp is definitely in my near future.

Jason

 

[willy65000]

sounds like you have a fairly large room to fill with sound. I'd go with the 40's if you can spare the extra cash. Both are great choices but the 40's have a fuller sound with more impact in the midbass and midrange. Larger room = larger speakers.