Question about speakers for music

[pizzahutgood]

I want to get a system to listen to music and think I have settled on the rotel RA-02 integrated amp. For speakers, i really like paradigm studio line. My question is would getting the studio 20's (which is what my budget could afford) give a ballanced sound? Would it have enough base? If not, should i splurge and get the studio 40/60's or should i drop down to the monitor series and get their floor standing version. Im just worried about if a pair of bookshelfs will give me enough bass. Thanks in advanced for the responses

 

[jaxvon]

Have you listened to the Studio 20's? If they give you enough bass for the music you like, then they're right for you.

 

[pizzahutgood]

No, I havent had a chance. There isnt a dealer near by. Plus, im not going to have the money for a couple more months so id rather do the upclose comparisons then. Just thought Id see what other more experienced people thought.

 

[jaxvon]

Well, now's the time to start shopping around and finding what you like. There's nothing wrong with getting to know your dealer. It's also good to be really sure of your choice.

 

[Tex-amp]

Take the time to listen and see what you like.

 

[mike c]

this is totally unrelated, but you make me want to change my name to "mmmmmdonuts"

 

[Nick250]

I want to get a system to listen to music and think I have settled on the rotel RA-02 integrated amp. For speakers, i really like paradigm studio line. My question is would getting the studio 20's (which is what my budget could afford) give a ballanced sound? Would it have enough base? If not, should i splurge and get the studio 40/60's or should i drop down to the monitor series and get their floor standing version. Im just worried about if a pair of bookshelfs will give me enough bass. Thanks in advanced for the responses

Just quick suggestion, pick your speakers first and then pick the amp/receiver that will drive them. Your amp/receiver should be speaker dependent not the other way around.

Regarding the Studio 20s, I have a set bought new about 4 years ago (v2). Running them without a sub they sound a bit boomy to me. Running them small with my HSU VTF2 crossed over at 60hz they sound blissful. They can be a tad bright but turning the trebble down a smidge corrects that to my ears.

That being said, when picking new speakers it's audition as many as you possibly can because what sounds good to me may sound terrible to you.

 

[claudermilk]

I chose the 20's (v3 in my case) because, of what was available to me, I felt they gave the most balanced sound. Bass is ok, and I will eventually add a sub to fill that in, but for now they do an acceptable job especially considering they are bookshelves. I run them on a Marantz & have seen Rotel recommended for these speakers many times. But like Nick says, audition everything you can.

 

[j_garcia]

I've run 20s and 40s in my setups and while they are fairly aggressive speakers, I found the highs to be fatiguing over long listening periods. Bass is very respectable, but as Nick said, if you run them full range, they may be a bit boomy. If you listen to them and like them, I'd recommend going with 40s instead - you don't get much more extension but they move more air and fill the room a bit more effortlessly. IMO, Rotel is a good choice.

For less than the 20s, I'd look at a pair of Ascend Acoustics CMT-340s. More musical speaker, IMO.

There's also this package deal going on at Onyx.

 

[buckyg4]

I personally think you would get a better sound from the Monitor 7 or 9s than the Studio 20s. I had Monitor 9s for a long time and I thought they were fantastic.

 

[j_garcia]

7s are OK, but the 9s are boomy, IMO. The 5s and the 11s are the best in the line (not including the 90P). I'd still take 20s over 5s or 7s.