Paradigm Studio 40s or Polk LSi9s...or maybe something else?

[clay49]

Greetings Fellow Audioholics,

First time for me here....I need some advice. I'm setting up a new system in my office (10'x20') and I'm leaning toward either Paradigm Studio 40s with a subwoofer (either PS1200 or PRD-12 possibly), or Polk LSi9s with a PSW505. They will be powered wityh a B&W ST125.2 and PT5. My musical taste runs from Classical to Classic Rock to Choral to Contemporary Christian...just about the whole gamut. Or possibly there are some other options I should consider before buying either of these? (PSB Stratus Minis possibly?)

At any rate, I could use some help from those who know these speakers. The system is for stereo music listening only...no surround or media involved.

Thanks!

 

[slmcdonald7]

Clay,

I think that the Paradigm Studio 40's are a superior choice to the Polk's. However, given the dimensions of your office, you may even want to consider the Studio 20's with a sub. Either way you go, you should be pleased with the Studio series.

(on a related note) I am also a big fan of having a nice audio set-up in the office. I shifted the Paradigm Phantoms I was using as my mains through college into my office when I replaced them with better speakers. In a year or two, I plan on upgrading my office set-up Studio 20's with a small sub.

Good luck with your purchase.

-Stephen

 

[clay49]

Stephen,

Thanks for the advice! I'm a minister of music in a large PCA Presbyterian church in B'ham, so music is my profession. I just finished mixing our third praise team CD in Nashville at MasterMix with Hank Williams. I sat in front three colums of $85,000 PMC monitors powered by about 12 Bryston amps...needless to say, I came back with a new perspective on imaging, clarity and articulation! My Bose Lifestyle 20 has to go!!!

I'm going to have the monitors about ten feet apart and about 6 feet away from me (out in front of my desk)....you still think the 20's would give me optimal imaging? What are the main differences between 20's and 40's as far as sound production goes?

Thanks again!

 

[slmcdonald7]

I sat in front three colums of $85,000 PMC monitors powered by about 12 Bryston amps...needless to say, I came back with a new perspective on imaging, clarity and articulation! My Bose Lifestyle 20 has to go!!!

Welcome to the hobby

I'm going to have the monitors about ten feet apart and about 6 feet away from me (out in front of my desk)....you still think the 20's would give me optimal imaging? What are the main differences between 20's and 40's as far as sound production goes?

*disclaimer* - I am one of the least qualified people that frequents this site to properly answer your question, but I will give it my best.

I think that the distance you plan to put between the speakers and yourself is fine for imaging. Paradigm is renowned for exceptional imaging, especially their Studio series (if nothing else, the difference between your Bose system and the Paradigms will be night and day). Either the 20's or the 40's will work well for you in this regard. I have heard, however, that the 60's don't image quite as well, but that is strictly unsubstantiated hearsay (I read it on a forum similar to this one when I was in the market for new speakers). Personally, I like the 40's better than the 20's, but when I auditioned them I was listening for main speakers for the living room, not for an office.

In terms of differences in sound production, the only difference between the two is that the 40's have an additional bass driver. You can see their specs here . I am not really sure what difference this would make given the size of your office, perhaps someone more knowledgeable can answer this for you. It just seems to me that in a smaller space with a sub, you may not notice a real difference between the 20's and the 40's in terms of bass reproduction.

I hope this helps.

-Stephen

 

[RDL]

RE: Paradigm Studio 20s or Polk LSi9s

The Paradigm Studio 40's and Studio 20 differ only by driver configuration. The 40's have a bit more bottom end, and tend to have a more accurate mid-high range at higher SPL levels(caused by the addition of the second driver in the 40's). If you plan to run either speaker with a sub, both the 20's and 40's will perform nicely. Just make sure that you set your x-over freq a bit higher for the 20's.

Just a thought, the PW-1000 subwoofer is much cleaner then both the PS-1200, and PDR-12. It has higher amplifier power, cleaner sound, more dynamics and retails for around the same price.

Happly Listening

P.S. Have you thought about maybe using a pair of Studio 60's with out a sub? They take up just as much room as a pair of 20/40's on stands, but have a much richer sound. The price of a pair of 60's will come under the price of 20/40's with stands and a PS-1200/PW-1000

 

[JVC]

I've not heard the Paradigms, but I have heard the Polk LSi9s. They are awesome! A friend uses them as his mains, hooked up to a Denon 2803 receiver. They sound unbelievably clear. He listens to more music than movies. If I was looking for new speakers, I'd probably buy them too. One thing to consider though........the Polks are 4 ohm speakers. Don't know about the paradigms. If you run 4 ohm speakers with an 8 ohm receiver, you COULD have problems with receiver getting very hot and frying something. Or at least go into protection mode, and shutting off.
Good luck with whatever you decide............