Today I gave the Monitor 7 and 9 a hefty audition to upgrade from my Studio Monitor 5s. On a VERY HIGH quality system, the Monitor 7's come off with a rating of FAIR and no better than that. The smallish 5.5 inch double woofer set up doesn't move much air. The midrange detail and lower high frequencies were WEAK, bordering on anemic and the highs presentation were FAIR only without the convincing presence and "air" around the sound.
The good news is the MONITOR 9 impressed, easily outperforming the MONITOR 7. Vocals, highs and midrange detail came off with high marks. The lower midrange to mid-bass was strong. While I wasnt' able to re-position the speakers for best bass response in a showroom, I'll bet except for the LARGEST rooms, lowest bass extension will be very fine for a $900 speaker. Overall tonality, soundstaging, instrument placement and timbre came off as very good - and I noted the carpet spikes WERE NOT installed - had they been I think this would have tidied up the focus of the soundstage even further and given the highs a little more sheen. Midrange string detail, male voice accuracy and digital piano sound was quite fine for $900. The cabinets are sturdy, but not BRICK solid or totally inert. Firm recommendation for this new Monitor 9 speaker from Paradigm, the Monitor 7 was marginal.
