Paradigm Monitor Series 7 - Page 3

Made in China you say? Maybe that would explain why my Atom grill had the logo upside down. Still waiting for a replacement from the dealer...

I wonder how the workers at the Paradigm factory feel about that?
How does moving the production offshore help the economy in North America?

Let me share my experience here:
I got a chance yesterday to listen to v6 Monitor7 and v7 monito7 side by side in the same room and fed music from the same source (Yamaha CD Player and Yamaha RXA2000 Receiver). Me and the sales rep at the store spent 1 hour listening to different types of music and switching cables between the towers. They both sounded very similar except for some differences that I noticed. v6 monitors sounded sharper and wider than the v7. But they had a little echoing effect in the higher frequencies. The bass in v6 was lower than v7 but sounded tighter. In v7 monitors the bass was deeper but had a boomy effect that I did not like. These differences may only be noticable if you listen to them side by side, and with the adjustment options we have in the new receivers these days the above differences can be easily equalized. Appearance wise v6 looks superior speaker than v7. The new v7 didn't look as pretty in person as they look in the picture posted by OP. Even the rubber foam arround the woofer felt a little inferior than the v6 monitors. I wish I had camera.
I did this exercise beacuse I bought v6 monitor7 last week (with the center and surrounds) and they sounded little bright to me. So I thought if I can exchange them with v7 and pay the price difference. But it was good that I did not switch to v7 speakers as they sound very similar. I would rather save that $$$ and put it towards a good sub or a receiver.
I did not like how either of them sounded for music tho. I'll be using mine for HT use only. For music I would look for something with not metallic tweeters. We listened to same music that we played with Paradigm monitors with a pair of Totems and they sounded much more musical to my (picky) ears.

A dealer in San Diego post a video showing good closeups

Just came back from a local shop and compared the Monitor 7 series 7 and the v6, and I walked out with the series 7 along with a Center 1 (all I can fit in my space). I was told that all Paradigm speakers are still made in Canada with exception of the Cinema series.

To my ears, the series 7 sounded a lot more neutral and not as forward as the v6. I was very pleased with how they sounded, and they weren't even broken in yet (the shop just received them last week).

edit: just set them up and they sound even more amazing (not even broken in yet obviously). seriously very impressed with how good they sound. can't wait until they're broken in.

edit 2: says made in china on the box.
oh well, still sound great to me.

check the review done by hometheaterreview.com:
v6 Monitor 7 Review:
http://hometheaterreview.com/paradig...kers-reviewed/

v7 Monitor 7 Review
http://hometheaterreview.com/paradig...aker-reviewed/

Note that he dropped the performance level from v6 to v7 from 4.0 to 3.5. Read both the reviews.

Even though the review was done by the same individual, that doesn't necessarily say that he thinks v7 is inferior. He doesn't even mention any comparisons with v6. The reviews are so far apart (almost 3 years) that many things could have influenced his score since he reviewed v6.

Although soundandvision didn't review the Monitor 7's specifically, they tend to agree that v7 is the best in the Monitor series.

Regardless of professional reviews, ultimately everyone has a different opinion on sound and there are other variables that affect how a speaker will sound, such as receiver/amplifier used, room layout/acoustics etc.

Just got done test driving the Paradigm Monitor Series 7 Center 3, Center 1, and the B&W HTM61. The Center 3 is the hands down winner, followed by the HTM61 and Finally the Center 1. I thought the Center 1 just seemed lacking. Too small, not a full sound. The HTM61 sounded great but did not compare to the Center 3. The Center 3 had more full/complete sound with better mid-range and slightly brighter highs (no where near as bright as the series/version 6.) I almost bought the earlier version about a year ago, but they were just too bright (harsh treble). I will be purchasing the Center 3 soon at a quoted price of $549 American.

I put up my review of the Series 7 in the Paradigm Owners thread, but thought I would chime in here too. I upgraded from Monitor 9's (v6), CC-390, and dual DSP-3100's:

I honestly don't care for the Canada vs. China argument, but I will say this: for being made in China, the Series 7 looks 10x better than my v6's. Taking the grilles off the v6's is like undressing a swamp monster, whereas taking the grilles off these babies is like undressing Scar Jo (ok, maybe a bit of a dramatization, but it gets the point across )

After some testing material.......I am blown away. For anyone who is on the fence between keeping their v6 Monitor's or upgrading to the new Series 7 and money isn't the issue, do it. I cannot begin to tell you how much more smooth, warm, and clear sounding these speakers are.

Highs are the biggest improvement. Period. Listening at loud levels with my v6 Monitors would always cause listening fatigue, even after adding something as powerful as XT 32 into the loop. Now, I found myself listening even louder than usual and had absolutely no problems. Low dialogue scenes followed immediately by a huge explosion or dynamic sound spike (such as the apartment scene in Live Free or Die Hard) was smooth, warmer (compared to the titanium tweeters in the v6's), clear, yet never hard on the ears. Bullets whizzing by or the sharp crack of high frequency explosions, it didn't matter.....my ears never complained. Period.

Mids are a little better over the v6's. The one complaint I always had was there always seemed to be a dip in the lower-mid range with my old setup....not anymore.

Lows are more clear, but since I crossover at 80Hz, this isn't as big of a deal for me. I will say, however, that the Center 3 surprised the heck out of me: 40Hz crossover point according to Audyssey XT 32. 40Hz!!! Are you kidding me? My CC-390 could never, ever dig below 70Hz without Audyssey crying foul.

And the Monitor SUB 10.....forget about it! Considering I have two of them, it's almost unfair for the price I got them at (I got both of them for 1.5x as much as a single Rythmik F12). I absolutely love the sound of a sealed sub now, the bass is so much more clear and clean. Explosions come and go as quick as you would expect and certain scenes in Tron definitely stood out as being a lot more clear, crisp, tactile, and overall better. I can swear I am hearing things I didn't before in the low end (the sealed sub sound allows me to pick out low notes instead of them being stringed together, a habit I noticed with my ported DSP-3100's).

All in all, worth the upgrade. Completely worth it.

Hometheater.com's review of Series 7.
4.5/5 - Performance
4/5 - Value (review is of a speaker package + monitor sub)
5/5 - Build Quality (first Monitors to be made in China)

Damn. I just threw out my boxes on my monitor 11 v6s. If I kept them I could have received full credit for what I bought them at.

I'm a complete newb to all this stuff, so pardon if I ask an ignorant question: I have a dedicated theater room and I'm considering the Paradigm's. My room dimensions are L: 24'; W: 14' and the room is tiered seating so the height is 9.5', 10.25', and 11'. Would the Monitor 7s be enough to fill the room for the front speakers (planning on 7.2 surround), or should I go with the Monitor 9s? I don't have a receiver yet, but considering the Onkyo nr709 or nr809. This room will be 90% for move watching and some game playing....not much music. Any advice would be truly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

You're probably near the upper end of the ideal room size for the Monitor 7's. I think they'll perform best in a room smaller than 300sq.ft., but they might work okay. Monitor 9's would probably suit you better though IMO.

I listened to the 7's at a local shop in a large open area and they still sounded great (hence why I bought them) but they sounded considerably better in my ~200sq.ft room.

Thanks. The price isn't drastically different, so I think the 9s might be the better option. Unfortunately, I don't have any places near where I live to demo various makes and models. Will likely have to base some of my decisions off the reviews and advice provided by this board (and others).

I just got a pr of monitor 7 series 7 for 750 and I love them.

What about the Monitor 9 makes it more suitable for a larger room?

Even with the addition of another bass driver, the sensitivity of the Monitor 9 is not any higher. The power handling goes up by 20 watts, which is not discernible. And the frequency response extends 2Hz lower, which doesn't help in a larger room.

Anybody compared the Mini Monitor v7 to the v6? I am looking at the Mini Monitors. The v7 surely looks better, more elegant. Sound-wise a tie? Is the v7 more refined than the v6? It would be disconcerting if the sonic differences between the two series are negligible.

Apart from the Paradigm Mini Monitor, I am also considering similar class of monitors from the likes of PSB and Monitor Audio(Bronze BR1/BR2).

Any advice appreciated.

I have the mini monitor v6 and I think they sound great. The tweeter in v7 is different I do believe but both models have great reviews. v6 is still made in Canada. v7 in China if that makes any difference to you. v6 is more efficient.

If you're using a sub, and you like to listen to music louder and want dynamics in your movies, I feel the v6 is better. The v7 is less sensitive, and somehow weighs half what the v6 does, which makes me wonder what they gave up when the dimensions are only 2 inches less depth.

I'm not sure what it is either, to me when I auditioned the new 7 line, they were very harsh at higher volume. They just didn't have the sound I was used to hearing from them.

Yeah at higher volumes you may have gone beyond the speaker's power handling (which is like 80 to 100 watts) if you had something more than the typical 100wpc receiver driving it.

Or its lower sensitivity encouraged you to turn up a receiver to get the volume you wanted, until you drove it onto clipping, even if just brief clipping on peaks. And probably got squashed dynamics.

I have the Monitor 9`s ver 5 with ver 6 cc290 & ver 6 mini monitors & atom monitors in a 9.2 setup. From what I am reading it sounds like I am better keeping what I have instead of upgrading to ver 7.

I had my speakers sold for a reasonable price but I guess I would have to go above the monitor line for a big improvement.
Am I correct in my thinking??

I read over in the Paradigm owners thread that they are expanding the wood shop at the Paradigm factory. Possibly bringing the Monitor line back to Canada for v8. You may want to hold out and see what the next revision brings.

Sounds like good advice. Thanks

I went from Monitor 9 v6/CC390 to Monitor 11 Series 7/Center 3 and have nothing but positive things to say, especially regarding the aluminum tweeters.....so much better than the titanium from the v6.

It's all about goals, which are different for different people.

If I'm looking for a new car, and I'm going to be tromping on the accelerator for off-the-line fast take-offs, that initial torque and 0-60 specs matter more, whether we're talking about a pure sports car or a luxury sedan.

If I care about more about the handling on curves, sumptuous leather, and reduced road noise, then that suggests other priorities to pick other designs. And if I never want to accelerate fast, then I'll never tell the difference between the 100ft/lb torque engine and the 300ft/lb engine.

Likewise, if one never turns the volume in their room up above -20dBFS, then a 86dB sensitive speaker, with 80w power handling, sitting 12 feet away, and a 10 watt receiver, will be fine for them. They're wasting their time worrying about 80w or 120w receivers too.

However, if they want it a little more like the movie theater, or the concert, and so they turn it up to -10dBFS, 15 feet away in a more acoustically-treated room like a basement theater, then they might need a 150w amp, and/or a more sensitive speaker with greater power handling. The above speaker will yield dynamic compression and harshness that FAR outweigh any of the other benefits from that line of speaker.

Paradigm made tradeoffs with the Series 7, and those tradeoffs yield only sweet-sounding goodness for many people, but they will be more negative for others.

Not sure how you are coming up with these assumptions.....but I only listen to movies loud and the Series 7 are a huge step up in my room from the v6 Monitors I had.

When I had my v6 Monitors my room was treated and all I was using was an Integra DTR-70.3 receiver. The loudest I could listen in my room was -12dB and even than my ears would start to "fatigue" by the end of a longer movie like Tron Legacy or Transformers.

As soon as I put the Series 7's into my room it was night and day. They played just as loud WHILE sounding better. I didn't have to trade loudness for quality: I have both. My average listening level is now -8dB with absolutely no fatigue/harshness/clipping/audible distortion/etc. I just got done doing a Transformers marathon (all three movies in one day) at -8dB and by the end of it my ears wanted more, whereas with my old v6's my ears would have been screaming for a break.

To each his own I suppose.....though going by your logic one would never want to upgrade to Studio or Signatures, either, since their sensitivities are lower than the v6 Monitors and therefore "The above speaker will yield dynamic compression and harshness that FAR outweigh any of the other benefits from that line of speaker"

I just hope the V.8 Monitors move back to Canada!! The series 7 are great speakers and look nice but my comparison between the 2 the V.6 won hands down! But that's my opinion and the sales reps at both my stores thought exactly the same! There is nothing fatiguing about Paradigm Speakers!! Can always tweak! They are all amazing speakers and why i will stick with Paradigm for years and years!!

I completely agree that each person has their own impressions and likes/dislikes. In my room/setup, the Series 7 speakers are a cut above my old v6 Monitors to my ears and also to the ears of my four friends who have come over for movies and sports for the last few years (they notice an improvement in sound quality). My friends also comment on how much better the Series 7 speakers I have look when the lights are on, especially when I take the grills off to show them whats underneath.....they would never be able to tell where they were made unless I told them so the quality is definitely good. The salesman I work with at my A/V store of choice loves the Series 7 compared to the v6 (he is the Paradigm expert at that store and deals very closely with his rep). But he also said that a few of the stores sales people still prefer the old v6 Monitors while others love the Series 7's. It all comes down to taste and preference.

What I strongly disagree with is the notion that the v6 Monitors give you a "movie theater experience" with no effort while the Series 7's need more equipment/power to give said experience otherwise they become harsh and sound so bad that any acoustical/qualitative improvements are nullified. Generalized statements in this hobby are very dangerous, and usually wrong, because every room, every person, every chain of components is vastly different. As stated, the Series 7's have nearly the same sensitivity ratings as the Studio and Signature lines.....so unless you want to also generalize that those speakers cannot deliver a "movie theater experience" without audible harshness/clipping unless massive amounts of power are supplied, I would think twice before throwing out said statements because, as stated, I listen at -8dB as my average volume (meaning I go lower, especially for concerts) and all I am using is an Integra receiver that is powering 7 channels without any external help