Paradigm v. B&W???

[MattGoose]

Hi...Im putting together a new HT system, and was wondering if anyone has any input as far as speaker choice goes. The system will be powered by a Rotel RSX-1067, and the speaker systems I am thinking about are:

Front Spkrs: B&W DM602.5
Center Spkr: B&W LCR600
Rear Spkrs: B&W DM600
Subwoofer: B&W ASW-675

and...

Front Spkrs: Paradigm Monitor 7s
Center Spkr: Paradigm CC370
Rear Spkrs: Paradigm Mini-Monitors
Subwoofer: Paradigm PS100

The pricing for these two systems would be comparable. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[frkuhn]

Hi.

I can't compare the two brands (never tried the Paradigms), but I have B&W's and I believe you would have better front speakers going with the DM603 (which I own - amazing) or even the DM602 ratter than with the DM 602.5. The 602 is cheaper and it's a better speaker (just compare the specs and you'll see). The 602.5 is actually a DM601 in a "tower body", but the bigger part of the cabinet is a closed box and won't improve the sound at all.

 

[MattGoose]

frkuhn-
Thanks so much for your input. Ill look into changing up the combination. Im going to go in and listen to the two systems in a few weeks, and Ill make sure to ask my dealer to have the other B&W fronts available.

Thanks again,
Matt

 

[3db]

have you tried looking into PSB yet?

I would recommend you audtioning the following PSBs

Image5T mains
Image9C center channels
Image 2B's surrounds

As for the sub, try HSU or SVS

 

[dis]

I really like B&W speakers, they sound superb (to my ears at least). While I do think they do make good subwoofers, I find that they are quite pricey. For the same money you can get a sunfire super junior, which is very impressive.

Alternatively, invest in SVS PB1 and put the extra $300 towards some 603's.

 

[av_phile]

B&W the company uses ROTEL as its official amplifier to test and voice their products. Based on this alone, I'd consider B&W a perfect match to your Rotel amp. But that's just me.

 

[MattGoose]

Dis-
Im getting a substantial discount on either ther B&W or the paradigm speakers because I am buying them in a package...and my dealer doesnt offer that other brand. Are the 603's really only $300 more than the 602.5s?? I think I might just have to move up...although, once I start that game, who knows where it will end.

AV-
Im leaning heavily towards the B&W, and the fact that Rotel uses them is one of the non-acoustic reasons. Its nice to know that the two companies have a substantial relationship.

Thanks so much
Matt

 

[dis_2lazy2login]

Well the 602.5's sell for $700/pair and the 603's are $1000, this is pricing pulled from the B&W website.

Im leaning heavily towards the B&W, and the fact that Rotel uses them is one of the non-acoustic reasons. Its nice to know that the two companies have a substantial relationship.

There are many other companies that do this such as: Bryston/PMC, NAD/PSB, Anthem/Paradigm,...etc.

 

[josh5150]

let me know....

Please let me know what you decided, I am currently thinking about the same selections between b&w and paradigm.
I currently have a pair of paradigm atoms for surround, amazing speakers. Had hooked up for mains for a bit, simply astounding....

Not very familiar with the b&w's, know their quality and such, not sure about value?? If you live near Canada, you can get 30% buying power and as an us citizen, get all the GST taxes back?

Let me know what you decided,
I am currently running bic dv-736 mains (w/ ed frias crossover fix), bic dv-64clrs center (w/ ed's help), paradigm atoms as rear surrounds. Have a denon avr-2802 for watching movies and a Kenwood ka-7100 (20 yr old int amp) for tunes.

Good luck,
josh

 

[MattGoose]

Josh-
It is going to be at least a couple more weeks until I make my final decision. I know that both of the speakers systems are excellent. If you're willing to go to canada to save on the exchange rate (1 u.s.d currently equals 1.38 c.d.), plus you can plan on getting a 10-15% discount for purchasing the whole speaker system, then I personally would find it very difficult to pass on the paradigms.

As it is, I plan to spend more time listening to both of the systems at my local dealer. Even if you are ready to drive up to canada to make your purchase, find a dealer in your area to listen to both systems at the same time...also attractive is that many dealers allow you to upgrade your components and sometimes even speakers within a 100 years.

Hope some of this is helpful...

Dis-
I am aware of other working relationships between different manufacturers. However, I really like the rotel equipment, their design philosophy, the physical appearance -- and most importantly the way it sounds, especially when powering all five speakers.



matt

 

[JimmyMit]

Just came across this thread; don't know if you've completed your audition and made your decision. Have you considered Paradigm's Reference Studio line?

I've been where you are now, only I focused on bookshelves instead of floorstanders. I began with the Paradigm Monitor series (Monitor 5's) which sounded pretty good. Then I listed to B&W 600 series speakers. I was very impressed with B&W's 602 S3's ($600/pr) -- that is until I heard their 705's ($1,500/pr). The 705's were so far superior to the 602 S3's particularly in their detail, clarity and soundstaging. Now, I know the 700 series are probably not in your budget -- they were not in mine either. Then I auditioned the Reference Studio line of Paradigm, which I strongly encourage you to listen to before you make your final decision (if you haven't already). The Studio 20 v.3 was the closest sounding speaker to the B&W 705 I ever heard and it was almost half the price. The 20's MSRP for $800/pr. Paradigm's larger Studio bookshelves, the Studio 40's MSRP for $1200/pr. With an almost standard 10% discount, you could get them for even less.

I guess what I'm saying is, if you're thinking about spending $700 to $1000 on B&W 600 series speakers, for about the same amount of money or not much more, you'd be stepping up with the Paradigm Studios, IMHO.

In any event, I think both companies make fine products and I think you'll be happy with either.

 

[MattGoose]

Jimmy-
Thanks for the input. I havent yet made my speaker decision and am actually planning on going in for the final audition in the next couple of weeks. When I schedule the final hearing, Ill be sure to have a set of the Reference speakers included. As an update, Im leaning more towards the 603's, as opposed to the 602.5's...a lot more speaker for a little more buck. I'm also going to have to check out what the full set of Reference speakers would set me back...I'm guessing that it is going to be quite a bit more than the Monitor set listed earlier, and consequently, more than the B&W set up. But...we'll just have to listen and see.

Matt

 

[Unregistered]

Matt - here are the MSRP's for the Paradigm Reference Studio line:

Studio 20 v.3 $800/pr Medium Sized Bookshelf, Premium Laminate Finish
Studio 40 v.3 $1200/pr Large Bookshelf , Premium Laminate Finish
Studio 60 v.3 $1600/pr Floorstanding, Premium Laminate Finish
Studio 100 v.3 $2300/pr Floorstanding, Premium Laminate Finish
ADP-470 $970/pr Surround Speaker
CC-470 $650 Center Channel
CC-570 $850 Center Channel
Seismic 10 $1350 10" Powered Subwoofer
Seismic 12 $1700 12" Powered Subwoofer
Servo-15 $1600 15" Powered Subwoofer, Laminate Finish

I found authorized Paradigm dealers who were reluctant to give any discount without a system purchase and I found others who offered 10-15% right off the bat. Same with B&W.

Yeah, Paradigm Studio's are more expensive than the B&W 600 series but not alot and after listening to them, you may feel they're worth it. At least you'll know once you audition them.

Ya know, it doesn't make any difference what you're looking for, whether it's audio gear or automobiles. You go out looking for a Camry and the Lexus catches your eye. I went looking at the 602S3 and fell in love with the 705. I'm settling for something that, in my opinion, falls somewhere in between -- the Paradigm Studio 20's.

The problem we all have is that there's only so much money in the till and you have to draw the line somewhere. In my experience on these audio forums, you'll always find folks who encourage you to spend more money.

Like I said before, if you do go with the B&W's you'll be very happy 'cause they're great speakers and from what I understand, they go well with Rotel.

Good luck!

 

[littleb]

Hi.

I can't compare the two brands (never tried the Paradigms), but I have B&W's and I believe you would have better front speakers going with the DM603 (which I own - amazing) or even the DM602 ratter than with the DM 602.5. The 602 is cheaper and it's a better speaker (just compare the specs and you'll see). The 602.5 is actually a DM601 in a "tower body", but the bigger part of the cabinet is a closed box and won't improve the sound at all.

I think it all depends on your amplification. I auditioned the Paradigm's, B&W's, and PSB's. I initially brought home a pair of B&W 602s3 bookshelves because I liked they way they sounded in the store. They sure didn't sound the same when I got them home. They were the most disappointing home audio purchased I have ever made!!! If I were to chose between the above 3 I would go with the PSB's. But I opted for Axioms.

 

[MattGoose]

Littleb-
What were the B&W's amped with in the store? and what were they amped with at home? I fully intend on auditioning all of my speaker choices with the same Rotel receiver that is going to be powering them at home. Im not going to have the store guy set all this up with twice as much power, coming from cleaner souces than Im going to have at home. The B&W is a very demanding speaker, more so than the Paradigm speakers that I have heard (havent had a chance to listen to the PSB's), and if there isnt sufficient clean power they wont sound good.

 

[littleb]

Matt,

I believe the store used a Denon receiver. I was not aware of a secondary amp. And I was never warned by the salesman that there might be a problem pairing them with my wimpy Yamaha receiver, but that apparently was the case. They sounded great in the store, but my Yammy just could not push them.

 

[bnewt]

This is basically the same speakers that I chose from. For some reason, the B & W's did not sound as clear/sharp as the paradigm's. Both were powered by a Sony 5ES. The B & W's sounded garbled, while the Paradigms were not overly sharp as the Klipsch. I wound up with the Monitor 7's, CC370, & 4 atoms along with the Paradigm 1200 sub. Matched with the Pioneer 45TX, I am pleased.

 

[mattmatt]

Have you heard of mission speakers, they are uk made too, try the mission volare series or 780se, they are award winners too!! I have auditioned it together with the b n w 600's, I like missions..

 

[sawdust437]

Paradigm speakers

I have Monitor 9's and 5's. It's a humble set up powered by a Marantz or Integra. Friends of mine have much more expensive hardware then myself, yet they are amazed at the sound quality of the Paradigms. I believe, for the money, the Paradigms are giant killers. This is just one newbies opinion.

 

[Stefan]

I went down the same path when shopping for a new set of speakers. I first listened to B&W 6 series and liked them. I then noticed the 7 series and liked them a lot more. I stretched my budget up a bit and decided to postpone the sub upgrade to be able to affort the B&W 7 series. I was about to go for the 7s when I wandered into another shop here in Vancouver and listened to a Paradigm Studio reference setup and was almost immediately sold. Very comparable to the B&W 7 series but a lot less expensive. I now have a set of Studio Reference 60s with adp470s and a cc-470 center. They are powered by a Denon avr3801 and I am very happy with the result both for 2-channel music as well as 5.1 HT. I recently upgraded the sub to a Velodyne SPL1000 which completes the set.
The bottom line is I don't think you can go wrong with either Paradigm or B&W, you have to pick what sounds best to you and what you are comfortable with price wise.