Paradigm Owners Thread - Page 885

Eljaycanuck,

That seems to make sense to me . . . but I just couldn't figure out why they were so emphatic about using the top ones . . . (they seemed pretty knowledgeable as it was pretty high-end boutique store; not like those employees of a big box store, if you know what I mean)

In any case, thanks for the reply.

Shek

Congrats! For me, still a looong way to go

True, i have used the top and bottom, it's all the same.

I get what you're trying to say, but working in a boutique shop does not guarantee knowledge or the lack of an agenda. I've dealt with enough "experts" to know this to be true.

This will inevitably be a tired question but bear with me.

How does the Studio 20s V2 compare to the later models? Has there been tremendous progress since, or maybe even a regression (component quality downgrade to save cost for example)?

I have heard and love the v2s and found a used set but I am willing to hold out for v5s in the future if its worth it (huge price difference though). And lastly, is the studio CC v2 the matching center for those bookshelf's? Whats a fair price for a used model?

Thank you in advance, I'm hoping to join the Paradigm family soon.

Im posting this one from my phone; so, not sure if I'll be successful. . .

In any case, i wanted to share the response i received from the sales person that sold me the speakers. . . Is his reply a load of c***!!


It is best to use the top binding post because the jumper is typically of low quality and reduces the resolution of the midrange and high frequencies. If you want the best connection you should purchase a set of Transparent bi-wire adapters.

Thanks again, BTW: im not doubting u guys; just trying to reconcile the info in my AV educational journey. Peace.


Very well then; it's settled in my mind . .. thhank you gentlemen . . .
Edited by Shek5150 - 1/29/13 at 9:55am

New here, and just looking for some advice.

I have a pair of Paradigm Monitor 9's, assuming they are v1 as i bought them back in 1996 when i was in college. I matched them with the paradigm cc-3703 v3 some years later and have have been happy with my little system. Both are pushed by a Denon avr 1082/3802 amp (http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/denon-avr-1082/4507-6466_7-20017381.html).

I've ben considering jumping up to the refrence/studio series and ran across an opportunity to buy a pair of Paradigm Studio 60's v.2 and a Paradigm CC-450. The deal on the table is $700 for all three speakers.

My question is will there be a definate upgrade from the monitor 9's to the studio 60's v.2 ?? Also, considering these speakers are 10 years old, would you consider $700 a fair price for the 60's and the cc, or has the technology advanced so much i'm better off buying them new??

Also, i've read that the studio series requires lots of power to get the best results. Is my Denon amp up to the task??

Thanks in advance.......

Here's an old AVS post that highlights v2 to v3 changes.
Here's an old Audioholics post that highlights v3 to v4 changes.
The Studio/CC v2 would be the right match for v2s. I believe the CC-470 would be the right match for v3s-v4s. Personally, I'd hold out for a pair of gently-used Studio 20v4s, which you should be able to get for ~$550.
Edited by eljaycanuck - 1/29/13 at 4:50am

NEW QUESTION RE: MILLENIA CT SYSTEM

I recently received a Millenia CT System but I already have Pioneer VSX-520-K receiver running my PS3, Apple TV, and TV. Are these speakers compatible with this receiver?

Yes, but IMO you're better off saving up for something better.

For one thing, the CT system's control box (which sends a signal to the sub's amp, which powers the sub and - through a fixed 150Hz crossover - the speakers) has only two audio inputs: an optical digital input, and a 3.5mm stereo input. Your AVR doesn't have an optical output, so you'd be restricted to feeding stereo analogue audio from your AVR's "TAPE" output to the CT system.

Also, the sub is an 80W RMS unit that (optimistically?) is rated to 28Hz @ -3dB in-room. If you're hoping for a lot of performance out of it, you're likely to be disappointed.

However, if you're looking for something better than TV speakers, the CT system should do the trick.
Edited by eljaycanuck - 1/29/13 at 4:55pm

Thanks for that explanation Eljay!

Glad to help.

In my experience, the S2's + sub don't equal S6 + sub, but if I had to choose S2 + F112 or S6 by itself, I'd pick the S2 + f112.

I owned the S2v2 for about 2 years with a Rythmik F12, then Rythmik F15, then JL F113. I was never able to get a perfect blend. Then I upgraded to the S6v2 and the sub integration is now seemless. I think the S2's lack output in the lower midrange (80-200hz) and can't keep up with the subwoofer on bass heavy music, especially at loud volumes. The S6's have far more output in this range, but still don't have enough low end to go without a sub. Maybe the S2v3 would blend better, but I have not heard them.

I don't have experience with putting either speaker close to a wall, but I'd expect the impact to be less with the S2 since there is less bass. Either speaker will run off of a receiver but will improve with more power. I'd recommend going for the S6's and getting a cheaper sub or waiting to add a sub later. Its a more future proof option which is less likely leave you wanting to upgrade later.

Mike

I think what you are referring to was something that was specific to the v2. I read a review of the S2v3 and this is a quote from that review that seems to describe what you heard with the V2.

"The 7" Co-Pal (cobalt-infused pure aluminum) bass/midrange driver has what Paradigm calls a Non-Limiting Corrugated surround. This allows the S2 v.3 to play louder and more linearly than the S2 v.2 because the cone can travel farther before its motion is impeded by the surround. The bottom line is that Paradigm has optimized the drivers in the S2 v.3 for the clean, loud, and linear reproduction of sound. "

Now I can't say from experience just what one pro reviewer said.

You may have better luck with the passive Millenia One speakers if you want to still use a receiver. The sub also has more performance (and expense) since it does not have built in amps for two satellites. The Millenia CT is fully powered and is for systems or computers where you do not wish to have any receiver.
http://www.paradigm.com/products/products-by-series/millenia-speakers


I think the S2 / S6 version 3 can be crossed at 60Hz without any blending problems. Also, the MSRP of the S6 in Piano black is now at $7K. You can get a lot of sub for the difference. For example Sub 1 + S2 is somewhere in the 8K range.

It's also good to keep in mind that Paradigm rates it's speakers conservatively. LFE is -3db @ 26Hz. for the S6v3 and 36Hz for the S2v3. I listen to the S2 in 2-channel with no sub.

Does anyone know the up to date list price in US and Canada for the S8? Gibby's (a Canadian Dealer) shows the S8 at a price of $10599.99 a pair in Gloss Black. A YouTube video from CES 2013 from the Paradigm booth has a guy named Rob Sample saying the S8's in Gloss Black are $8000?? This can't be correct can it????????? Anyone know the US price for the Studio 100??...it is currently $3899 in Canada.

S8 - Piano Black 10k US
Studio 100 - Piano Black 3.9k US

I found those prices listed on Audiolab Stereo & Video Center Inc.'s website.

Paradigm Signatures, since the v3 has been released, has went up 30-35% in price.
Edited by Eldiablos - 1/30/13 at 3:54am

I had the studio 20v2 and just upgrade to the stufdio 20v5 I put the v2 in bedroom the v5 blows it out the box save your money and get the v5s.

Does anyone have an update on when the Reference Studio V6 will be released?

I thought so.......it was weird to hear the guy say they were $8000. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9tH2NyQ9jo

I am also waiting because the rumour was that they will be worth waiting for..........but do they really think they can raise their prices.......which have risen so much in the last 3 years??? Usually they raise the price.......I think they need to lower them a bit.

Maybe the new ones will have the beryllium from the sigs and the new sigs will have unobtanium tweets or something similar. The raising prices could just be warming us up for what the price of the new studios will be. Hope not though.

I think many long time Paradigm fans are feeling warm enough!!

I don't get why the price lists are so secret. It just leads to many of these questions. Is the dealer giving me the actual price, or his "special price" but I guess they have strict guidelines about their minimum advertised price, etc. They are supposed to charge MSRP or darn close to it. I'd rather know all the prices and add them up myself. Otherwise you just stand around awkwardly at the dealing asking things like, "How much would everything be if I got this model instead"?

Though I suppose if you have to ask....but that doesn't really make sense for their lower-end models at all. People want to know how much they are in for. I probably would have bought many more pieces if it was just easier to order them.

The Sigs are already some of the cheapest speakers featuring a Be tweeter. I am not sure they will be able to pull that off, but maybe through economies of scale. Judging by the serial numbers on the back of my Sigs they really haven't made that many of them; I'm talking in the 10s of thousands of units, but I suppose they could add digits.

Sure worked out well for me when I went to sell my complete set of Signature v.3 speakers! Mind you I still own the SUB 25.;..

My guess would be that you are experiencing the higher crossover from the midrange. By not forcing the midrange to come all the way down to the sub crossover, and by putting a more capable speaker between the two, you should increase SPL and lower midrange distortion.

Yeah the S8 has really gone up quite a bit in the last years.....I personally don't think the S8 is worth the price of admission @ 10k for the piano black.....that's why I was settling for the S6 but am taking a well calculated risk @ the Tributes (special ordered them already). I have a feeling the Tribute's new mid range will be what they'll be using in the next generation signatures. On the plus side, I do think the improvement from v2 to v3 for the signatures is pretty decent....I passed on paradigm years back because I couldn't believe how forward the speakers were. This gen, they are still forward but I liked the analytical clarity/transparency so I think they'll sever me well in the main use on the new setup (home theater).

Has paradigm always slowly upped their prices on their current gen speakers like with the v5, etc?

Yup.

They've even taken flack for producing their last version of the Monitor line in China (probably some of their drivers too). Paradigm then moved the production line back to Canada last I heard. As it stands, not relying on slave labor makes the costs go up, which are then passed on to the customer. As long as the quality remains high, I guess I can't argue too much.

I'll repeat that... the quality still has to be top notch to continually ask their customers to pay higher prices. I do want to support companies if they give local workers good wages.

There is a U.S. based alternative that can compete nicely with Paradigm: Triad. They're really good speakers and some model lines are more suited for the punishment dished out by modern movie soundtracks... without sacrificing audio quality for audiophile music recordings. Once my Studios are long in the tooth, I might just switch to Triads (though, I'd still shop around). They have a lot more design choices too.
Edited by Dan Hitchman - 1/31/13 at 3:03pm

New Question: What amp for Sig 6's v3?

Hi all,
Be gentle, this is my first post, but by all means, chastise me for any faux pas. I bought Sig 6's a year ago, but hadn't until recently got serious about set-up, amp match, etc. I'm finding that my current front end and speaker combo is more fatiguing than I had hoped. I was thinking that I would try to find a USED pair of Parasound JC1's to upgrade to; however, a local dealer (who previously sold Parasound gear) cautioned me about this, saying in effect, that Parasound amps are generally considered "bright" and wouldn't be a salutary match with the Be- tweeted Sig's. So my questions are these:

(1) Has anyone paired Sig 6's (or other Sig's) with JC1's? Impressions?
(2) Does anyone have alternative amp suggestions for mating with the Sig 6's to tame the brightness and develop the bottom end a bit more. (I "upgraded" from Mirage M3 si's, and am missing the 10" woofers).

Note: This is an integral part of my 5.1 system for movies, so I don't think I want to go the tube route. Two used JC1's can be had for around $4K, so that's my approx. budget.

My other key system components: Oppo 95, Arcam fmj processor (direct analog passthrough for 2 channel), Musical Design amps for all speakers

Thanks to all.