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Paradigm S2 v3 for nearfield use

post #1 of 13
11/16/10 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, I may be changing my HT setup to dedicated computer music listening room.
I will be selling my AVR, but want to keep my pair of Rythmik F12SE subs and Paradigm S2 v3 fronts for 2.2 listening.

Will the Paradigms do a good job in a nearfield situation vs studio monitors?
Will they be competitive with active monitors like dynaudio BM6A MkII, Mackie 824 MkII, Adam A7X, Focal Be, etc?
I won't be producing, mixing or anything, just listening...
Thanks in advance for your input.
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post #2 of 13
11/16/10 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbeveraggi
Hi, I may be changing my HT setup to dedicated computer music listening room.
I will be selling my AVR, but want to keep my pair of Rythmik F12SE subs and Paradigm S2 v3 fronts for 2.2 listening.

Will the Paradigms do a good job in a nearfield situation vs studio monitors?
Will they be competitive with active monitors like dynaudio BM6A MkII, Mackie 824 MkII, Adam A7X, Focal Be, etc?
I won't be producing, mixing or anything, just listening...
Thanks in advance for your input.
mine were alignment picky nearfield, so you may have to play with positioning.

Consider also adding an external crossover and going 2.0 full-range.

I love my s2's and would enjoy moving to the v3's
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post #3 of 13
11/16/10 at 3:51pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your input JerryLove.
Are you currently using them for nearfield listening? Have you tried comparing them with studio monitors?
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post #4 of 13
11/16/10 at 5:48pm
I am not using them for nearfield. I am very close (<24") and very off axis (45° vertical), and (for mostly the latter) preferred to continue using my psb 400i bookshelves
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post #5 of 13
11/17/10 at 8:46am
Just my 2¢, but if you like Paradigm, the S1's would probably be a better choice for nearfield than the S2. Having owned the S1's, I can say it is a remarkable little speaker, and the fact that it isn't ported would make it a better choice near boundaries...I think.
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post #6 of 13
11/17/10 at 2:22pm
+1 on the S1's...

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/p...ture_s1_v2.htm
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post #7 of 13
11/17/10 at 4:48pm
+2
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post #8 of 13
11/17/10 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all your replies.
Well, I already own the S2 v3 's so, unless the difference is HUGE, I will probably keep those.
Besides, lots of very expensive nearfield studio monitors are also ported... How is the port supposed to affect sound in a nearfield situation?

Has anyone had the chance to compare Paradigm Signature monitors to quality studio monitors?
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post #9 of 13
11/17/10 at 5:33pm
Define Studio Monitors...

Are you talking active monitors...? used in recording studios...?
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post #10 of 13
11/17/10 at 5:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warpdrv View Post

Define Studio Monitors...

Are you talking active monitors...? used in recording studios...?

Yep.
Dynaudio BM6A MkII, Mackie 824 MkII, Adam A7X, Focal Solo Be, etc...
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post #11 of 13
11/18/10 at 9:32am
Its just a different design implementation, depends on the drivers as well as flexibility of tuning and cabinet size. Sealed generally requires more power to achieve the same goals of a ported..... With sealed you are separating the front wave and the back wave of the driver, so you tend to hear just the sound. There is no port contributing to the overall sound around cabinet tuning. I think this is more of a issue in designing large subwoofers - when extremely generous amounts of cone travel can and will move more air and can have ill effects on the sound such as port chuffing... Unless the speaker is just plain out and out poorly designed. The Sig S2's are not...

For nearfield small monitors, I wouldn't concern yourself too much in either direction, unless you are extremely sensitive to hearing port noise.

I haven't had the chance to compare the Sigs with any studio monitors, I will say that the Be S2's are amongst the best sounding bookshelf speakers I have heard to date. They are just that good IMO...
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post #12 of 13
11/18/10 at 10:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warpdrv View Post

Its just a different design implementation, depends on the drivers as well as flexibility of tuning and cabinet size. Sealed generally requires more power to achieve the same goals of a ported..... With sealed you are separating the front wave and the back wave of the driver, so you tend to hear just the sound. There is no port contributing to the overall sound around cabinet tuning. I think this is more of a issue in designing large subwoofers - when extremely generous amounts of cone travel can and will move more air and can have ill effects on the sound such as port chuffing... Unless the speaker is just plain out and out poorly designed. The Sig S2's are not...

For nearfield small monitors, I wouldn't concern yourself too much in either direction, unless you are extremely sensitive to hearing port noise.

I haven't had the chance to compare the Sigs with any studio monitors, I will say that the Be S2's are amongst the best sounding bookshelf speakers I have heard to date. They are just that good IMO...

I think so too.
Thanks for your help Warpdrv.
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post #13 of 13
11/18/10 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbeveraggi View Post

Besides, lots of very expensive nearfield studio monitors are also ported... How is the port supposed to affect sound in a nearfield situation?

It doesn't as long as you give the port room to work. Where sealed or front ports comes in is when you can't give a rear port room to work. I'm using little rear ported EMP E41 bookshelves on my desk and couldn't be happier. I just give them the room the room around and behind them that they need.

The bigger problem when using a lot of "normal" bookshelves (including some very good bookshelves) on a desk is the treble can sometimes become a bit strident up close.
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