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Paradigm Studio 100 vs Paradigm Studio 60v4 vs Paradigm Studio 605 vs Vandersteen 2ce

post #1 of 19
10/11/09 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 
Hi!

As you can see from my title, I am VERY confused between Paradigm Studio 100 vs Paradigm Studio 60v4 vs Paradigm Studio 60v5 vs Vandersteen 2ce. The price that I have for these are:

Paradigm Studio 100 - $2000 (floor model)
Paradigm Studio 60v4 - $1100 (floor model)
Paradigm Studio 60v5 - $1800 (NEW)
Vandersteen 2ce - around $2200 (NEW)

Please help me compare these so that I can pick the best option. Thanks!
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post #2 of 19
10/11/09 at 5:56pm
try finding a paradigm dealer so you can demo them.. some places offer in home trials too
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post #3 of 19
10/11/09 at 8:44pm
I really enjoy my 100's but make sure you can have the back of the speaker 18" from the wall. Much closer back and they do not do their best.
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post #4 of 19
10/23/09 at 3:00am
I just demoed the 60 VS 100 and can tell you I'll probably be going with the 60's if I decide to go with Paradigm. The 100's sounded a little better with music and tended to impress me a little more but I think due to size I'm better off with the 60's for now. The dealer by me has a 12 month upgrade program if I decide to switch to the 100's so that's nice.
Sticker price on the 60's was $1000 a piece and $1500 for the 100's if that helps.
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post #5 of 19
10/23/09 at 3:12am
I plan on going with the 60 v.5. For 100% home theater. If you have a separate listening room or wont be listening to as much music as movies save yourself the money and get the 60's.
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post #6 of 19
10/23/09 at 3:47am
The OP doesn't mention which version of the Studio 100 he/she is considering. That makes a big difference in my book... If $2k is the price on v5's I'd be all over that, even for a floor model, assuming they're in the finish you're looking for and are mint with full warranty.

J.
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post #7 of 19
10/23/09 at 6:50am
a great place to become familiar with if you aren't already is audiogon.com. A great place to buy your gear and resell it once you are done. You can get your Vandys for a grand and a pair of studio 100's v.3 sold for about $1400.
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post #8 of 19
10/23/09 at 7:23am
is there a conscious on which versions jumps make the best differences in SQ.. Alot of what he is comparing is same model just a different version. I see the jump from the v2 to v3 as a big jump. I guess I would say the same from v3 to v4. From the v4 to v5 might be the smallest jump but a jump none the less especially in the looks category
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post #9 of 19
10/23/09 at 7:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonColeman View Post

The OP doesn't mention which version of the Studio 100 he/she is considering. That makes a big difference in my book... If $2k is the price on v5's I'd be all over that, even for a floor model, assuming they're in the finish you're looking for and are mint with full warranty.

J.

I would imagine that the 100's are .v4 for that price....

Dealer is clearing out stock.....

The Vandy's are very good performing speakers, just not so hot in the looks dept...
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post #10 of 19
10/23/09 at 9:51am
The V5 60's have a smaller footprint than the V4's, and have better drivers (updated for more output). The V5 studio is a pretty big step up from the V4 in the looks department, the sound difference is pretty noticeable too depending on listening levels, equipment, etc. I'm gonna guess the Studio 100's are V4, the V5 retails for $3000. Never heard the Vandy's so I'm not going to comment on them. I would push towards the V5 studio's, I think they are worth the premium. Definetly sit down and listen to them though.
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post #11 of 19
10/26/09 at 6:09pm
Thread Starter 
I listened to the Paradigm 100 v4 (can get the Paradigm 100 v5 at a good price too but havent listened to them) and the Vanderteen 2ce Signature II again. I'll be using these mainly for movies.

I felt that the Vandersteens are little laid back but it CAN deliver and IS detailed. I though there was some concern with the imaging. It was great when I was in the center but when I moved to one side, it lost the wow-factor that was there when I was in the center. This will require a good subwoofer to supplement it.

On the other hand, Paradigm 100 v4 sound great and have the punch in them without a subwoofer. The imaging is great which gives a flexible seating arrangement.

Owners of the Vandys and Paradigms, care to comment on this? Others, your input on the above from your experience will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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post #12 of 19
10/26/09 at 6:32pm
i own a set of vandy 2ce sigs that i use in my 2-channel room. they are without a doubt the single highest-value bit of AV gear i have ever experienced. if you can deal with the size and the looks, you will (should) be absolutely astounded by their performance.

they are not 'laid back', they are neutral. they accurately reproduce what they are given. they can get plenty low, accurately. if you like 'high detail' (ie: bright) or think they lack low end...well, maybe they're not for you. for primarily theater use, if you want gut-busting punch, you will want a sub regardless of what speakers you run. in fact, i would agree that they are better suited to music than to theater.

they are a bit picky about placement in my experience. the manual is a great guide to start, but some experimentation helps. the best thing you can do for them is pull them well forward, off the wall and into the room. they can (and do) image with the best when properly placed. i find toe-in detrimental in my room.

$0.02.
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post #13 of 19
10/26/09 at 11:40pm
You should also consider the Salk SongTowers...

They are a very impressive for the price, Nuance came off the 2CE's to the ST's.
His thoughts on both can be found on the forum here... He has heard the Studios and we did a shootout with the 100's and the ST's and the Sig S4's.. You could also look at .v1 Signature's for under $2K
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post #14 of 19
10/27/09 at 12:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warpdrv View Post

You should also consider the Salk SongTowers...

They are a very impressive for the price, Nuance came off the 2CE's to the ST's.
His thoughts on both can be found on the forum here... He has heard the Studios and we did a shootout with the 100's and the ST's and the Sig S4's.. You could also look at .v1 Signature's for under $2K

Please post links to the shootout as I'm very interested in all the speakers mentioned. Thanks!
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post #15 of 19
10/27/09 at 7:12am
I can't seem to find the link to the shootout, but I'm pretty sure there is some info about it in his Journey thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=919069
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post #16 of 19
10/27/09 at 1:14pm
Not to offend Paradigm owners but they are not in the same league as Vandersteens. And I too would not call them laid back. They have the sweetest sounding highs and an openness that only elctrostats can match. For music they are simply amazing. I am not sure about home theater use, as I have never heard their center channel offerings.

Well, I guess I will offend Paradigm owners, as to me they are barely a step up from the 'premium' speakers at big box stores.

Anywho, factor in the low price of Vandersteen's and it is a no brainer in my book!
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post #17 of 19
10/27/09 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmarkmyers View Post

Not to offend Paradigm owners but they are not in the same league as Vandersteens. ...Well, I guess I will offend Paradigm owners, as to me they are barely a step up from the 'premium' speakers at big box stores.

As a previous owner of Vandersteen 3A Sigs (for 5 yrs) - and a current owner of Paradigm S8 v.2's - I think this is nonsense.

While I will always remember my Vandys fondly they were far from perfect. They were easily driven to the point of sounding congested (probably the result of using a 1st order cross-over design), they were fussy to place (needed to be so far from the walls - in our room, anyway - that they intruded into our living space), and they would be quite difficult to service if you ever had a problem with a driver (the "sock" that is used in lieu of a grill has to be removed which is nearly impossible to do without damaging the wood endcaps). Also, they they had a very small sweet spot in which to enjoy the "time-aligned, phase coherent sound" that is the hallmark of the brand. When away from that sweet-spot they could sound veiled or even slightly muffled.

By comparison the Paradigm S8's I have now rival the Vandys in terms of smoothness, and tonal accuracy while at the same time they can play at concert-like sound levels without the slightest hint of strain. Plus, they sound wayyy better off-axis than the Vandy's ever did. ..I am a lifelong fan of live (and very often acoustic) music. ..I know what real instruments sound like - be it guitars, flutes, violins, viola's, piano, etc. - and to my ears Paradigm speakers are very accurate.

Granted, the Paradigm name isn't one that confers "elite audiophile" upon it's owners the way Vandersteen might, but it's a great company whose large scale success allow them to make tremendous speakers that punch way above their weight class.
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post #18 of 19
10/27/09 at 5:36pm
Nice post...regardless of which speaker you're a fan of.

J.
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post #19 of 19
10/28/09 at 5:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by syd123 View Post

As a previous owner of Vandersteen 3A Sigs (for 5 yrs) - and a current owner of Paradigm S8 v.2's - I think this is nonsense.

While I will always remember my Vandys fondly they were far from perfect. They were easily driven to the point of sounding congested (probably the result of using a 1st order cross-over design), they were fussy to place (needed to be so far from the walls - in our room, anyway - that they intruded into our living space), and they would be quite difficult to service if you ever had a problem with a driver (the "sock" that is used in lieu of a grill has to be removed which is nearly impossible to do without damaging the wood endcaps). Also, they they had a very small sweet spot in which to enjoy the "time-aligned, phase coherent sound" that is the hallmark of the brand. When away from that sweet-spot they could sound veiled or even slightly muffled.

By comparison the Paradigm S8's I have now rival the Vandys in terms of smoothness, and tonal accuracy while at the same time they can play at concert-like sound levels without the slightest hint of strain. Plus, they sound wayyy better off-axis than the Vandy's ever did. ..I am a lifelong fan of live (and very often acoustic) music. ..I know what real instruments sound like - be it guitars, flutes, violins, viola's, piano, etc. - and to my ears Paradigm speakers are very accurate.

Granted, the Paradigm name isn't one that confers "elite audiophile" upon it's owners the way Vandersteen might, but it's a great company whose large scale success allow them to make tremendous speakers that punch way above their weight class.

Forgot to mention: When comparing the cost of the two don't forget the need to buy the sound anchor stands for the Vandersteens. ..Though they are purchased separately, they are quite essential in properly setting them up. ..According to the Sound Anchor website they cost $230.
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