Paradigm Owners Thread - Page 889

Originally Posted by getsideways87 

I was hoping for a bit of insight into some of the center/bookshelf/surround speakers in Paradigms Monitor line.

I've decided to pull the trigger on Monitor 11 towers I love the way they sound compared to many other speakers i demo'd.

They will be used for primarily 95% HT use in a dedicated 12x26x8 HT room. I will be using either an Onkyo 818 or 3010, I haven't decided yet. And It will, for the immediate future be a 7.2 system.

The part im struggling with is the rest of the system,
Direction from the salesman at the dealer was as follows,
Center 1 X1
Mini Monitors X4


After reviewing the Monitor line it seems the Surround 3s might be a better option as well as the center 3.
I have the space/means for either choice, but im after trying to fill the room with very good matching sound.
Unfortunately I was only able to hear the Mini monitors and center 1 there.

Am I way off? Are the Minis/center 1 the way to go?

Originally Posted by getsideways87 


That's odd I listened to the studio's and didn't personally enjoy them much more then the 11s, They sounded different but not necessarily better, especially for the extra nearly $2,000. he said thats also the general consensus on them that the 11s are the best bang for the buck, after that the amount you pay for better sound goes up dramatically.

I could tell a sizeable difference from the monitor 7 -monitor 11 Difference from 11 to studio minimal. I guess that's the beauty of our ears though is everyone perceives it a little different.

Originally Posted by getsideways87 


He told me the Studios Were 3500 for the pair so im guessing they were the 100s And i spent 4 different tracks comparing the sound difference between the studio and Monitor 11, Personally didn't think they were a better sounding speaker, except that they had a bit better balance, The Monitor 11 had the tendency to make the singer sound like they were right in front of you more like you were at the concert at the front of the stage, The studio still had great vocal crispness but balanced it slightly more naturally sounding. They for sure sounded different then each other but not that much better IMO.

Both sets excellently conveyed small details like brushes swirling on cymbals, and you could even catch the pick tapping the strings of the guitar in another track, Even tried the eyes closed test while the salesman flipped between several different sets and i always picked the studios and monitor 11s as my favorite two with very little preference one over the other. I'm Glad because if they sounded better i would be buying them instead, so my ears just saved me a couple Gs to put towards Higher end subs or sound treatments in the room!

Originally Posted by coresare 


Thank you! The shop said they should be here next week. Crossing fingers they're not out of stock from wherever they come from..

Originally Posted by coresare 


Thanks!!
Shop said $100 more per speaker. I cant afford the 690 yet, but I plan on getting the Sub 12 next when I save enough. I have some space constraints too and that 690 seems huge!