[jcamber]

I have a chance to upgrade to a pair fo Monitor 9s (I currently have mini monitors as fronts). But I don't know if it just makes sense to go one step up and get a pair of Studio 20s.


My center is a CC-370 v3 and I drive them with a Sony STR-Da4ES receiver.


Thanks for your help,

Jorge

 

[tokerblue]

You should really listen to the Studio 20s and the Monitors. My guess is that you'll like the Studio series a lot more. They are great speakers.

 

[GeneticDrift]

My suggestion is throw in an extra $300.00 and get the studio 40's, it may be more than you wish to spend right now but you will have them for many years. If that is not an option make sure your dealer will let you trade up, that way down the road you can go to something like the 40's.






My Equipment:
Harmon Kardon AVR630

Paradigm Studio 100’s Front v3

Paradigm Studio CC-470 Center v3

Paradigm Studio 20’s Surrounds v3

Harmon Kardon DVD-101

2.6gig HTPC W/Audigy2, 7.1, direct coax

XBoX

Samsung 50†DLP

SVS 20-39 PC+

 

[jcamber]

Now assuming I go with the Studio 20s... what CC matches it? I have a CC-370 right now.


Thanks,

Jorge

 

[Dream1]

The CC-470 or 570 are matched to Studio series, so either will work with the 20's or 40's.


I like the 570, but it does cost some good coin. ;-)

 

[Babs]

My setup:

studio 40 v.3 mains

studio 20 v.3 surrounds (formerly mains)

cc 470 center


I a/b compared the 20's to the monitor versions... NO contest, in my opinion. I completely ruled out the lesser line after hearing them side by side.


The clean mids and smooth highs compared more to the B&W CM2's and 805's they were competing against on the same wall. Of course the 805s spanked them (for $2000 a pair vs around $800ish) but are far harder to drive... But the CM's (closer to the 20's) for a little more money were no better (to me) except maybe in the mids, however it was slight, and the studio reference has so many models to choose from in the line... I've never regretted it one bit. Until I bumped up to the 40's, the 20's were the finest I've ever owned... Can't believe their doing surrond duty now.

 

[warpdrive]

Have to agree, the Studio series is just a more sophisticated sounding speaker....it's just smoother and cleaner.

 

[SteveCallas]

I'd say it comes down to whether or not you have a subwoofer.

 

[jcamber]

I have a SVS 25-31PC-Plus...


I'll definitely go out and audition the Studio 20s. I know the 40's, 60's and 100's would (should) be superior to the 20s but all I can afford right now is either the monitor 9s or the studio 20s.


Thanks for your help!

Jorge

 

[tuskenraider]

Those speakers are vastly different and definately warrant a direct comparison by you. Studios don't always win out...................

 

[jcamber]

I totally agree. I guess one of the things I look at is the Low frequency Extension of these two (32hz of Monitor 9s vs. 36hz of Studio 20) and wonder which of the two would blend in better with my SVS sub (which happens to have a big dip at 63hz as per my room readings). But I also understand there is more to the sound than just LFE.


Jorge

 

[Babs]

Like how I built it up, if you start off with the 20's, you can slip in some larger studios later after the cashflow heals.

 

[warpdrive]

If you are only getting a pair of speakers, then the extra low bass of the Monitor 9 is wasted anyway since you are crossing over your whole system at a higher cutoff frequency anyway. Your mini monitors that I assume you are still using need a higher cutoff frequency (say 60-80Hz).

 

[lazyhaze]

i compared the monitor 9's and studio 20's and actually prefered the monitor 9's. depends on what kind of sound you're looking for, but i much prefer the full, rich sound of the monitor 9's. for music use i think that towers are better.

 

[srckkmack]

I agree with Babs. Get the 20's. Later if you can afford it, you can buy 40's and still keep the 20's as surrounds. If you get the Monitors now, you may want the studios later and will have to start over. The Monitor 9's are real nice but the 20's are better. With the 20's, you'll have a great speaker and will have it for a long time.

 

[Dream1]

I agree.


After extensive listening between the monitor 9's against the 20's and 40's, I walked away with Monitor 9’s L/R and cc-370. I am using the saved cash on a PB12+ or PB12 ISD/2.


I will say that the 100’s smoked the Monitor 9’s once they were driven with more power, so maybe the 40’s or 20’s will step up with more pweor. IMHO I don’t think it’s worth the cost unless you are running enough power. You may want to talk to your dealer about an upgrade path. My dealer is allowing 12 months full value trade in. Maybe by that time you could have the power to drive the Studios for maximum return on your investment.


Besides, your already have the cc-370, which is tonally matched to the Monitor Series.

 

[jcamber]

Regarding power... I've also heard stories on the Monitor 9s and how they are too power hungry. My amp is a Sony 4ES and is rated at 110w x 7 and it does a really nice job driving the mini monitors and cc-370 but I question if it will be enough to drive the monitor 9s or Studio 20s at their full potential. If not, then I guess it really doesn't matter whether I get one or the other if I'll have to buy an amp in the near future.


Also, I'm not sure if it is allowed to post this but does anyone know what the retail for these is? by reading in Audiogon the original price for 20s are about $800/pr and the 9s are about $900/pr, I'm not sure if this is accurate.


Thanks,

Jorge

 

[warpdrive]

You WILL have to listen to both, and not take our word for it.


One thing that was clear is that the 20's sound different from the Monitor 9's. You'll like one or the other better, there is no doubt about that.


I thought the 20's/40's smoked anything from the Monitor line. It's the difference in the cabinets, and the improved high end detail that really won me over. The bass of the Monitor 7's and 9's did not sound nearly as accurate or tight as the Studio's. If I had the Monitor 7 or 9's, I'd cross them over at 60Hz and let the sub deal with it. To me, especially in the midrange clarity, the Studio's just were more convincingly real...in fact, they disappeared...something I never got the impression in listening to the Monitors


As far as an amp is concerned. I heard the Studio's with both a 60W NAD and a 100W Yamaha....and it sounded really nice with both.

 

[Babs]

Agreed. Not to say that the Monitor line is not a good speaker. For a budget system, it's a great buy! I was impressed by them for their price.


The v.3 Reference line I think (confirm with your dealer) is newer, with newer drivers and is Paradigm's effort at a higher line in value for a still budget conscious system. These speakers are very close to their "no holds barred / cost no object" Signature series, however, they're priced for real world budgets, but still don't require Bryston monoblocks to drive them.. Oh I wish I could though.


Ok, without further sales pitch from my own bias, I'd recommend crucial side by side listening to equal size speakers from each..


Example: Monitor 3's next to Studio 20's. This would be sufficient for a reference of the two lines.


I recommend something with some vocals (Nora Jones, Allison Kraus, Sting etc) that's recorded well.. Whether that's your music or not.. We all know what the human voice will sound like with coloration in the midrange and with any harshness or grain in the highs. Also those examples will be good for listening for soundstage, imaging and speed. Do the speakers 'dissappear' or if you close your eyes, are you still reminded you're listening to two boxes making sound? Throw in the classic sort-of-rock demo CD as well: Brothers In Arms... Dire Straits.. Kick up the title track (GREAT male vocal reference and deep guitar and horn work)


I'd say switch it up a little bit and listen to the same music on some REAL high end stuff as well for a reference. We could be over simplistic and say the speakers that closest represents those $20,000 B&W 800's or those Watt Puppies we just heard, wins.


Please remember.. I'm NO audiophile... Don't have the cash for it. So consult those in the know about critical speaker listening. Enjoy!

 

[bobbyg1983]

Just wanted to throw in my $.02 of agreement with the majority of the posters above: I recently took the first step along the exact same upgrade path, having had 4 mini monitors all around with the CC370 on center duty. If you are really into running 2 ch stereo without your sub on, then I could see going with the Monitors, but given your svs, I think you'll be happier in the long run with the Studios. Upon listening to the two back to back on the same equipment with some Miles Davis, Norah Jones, and Pink Floyd, I guess my reaction was similar to warpdrive's, with the 20's coming out as the more "sophisticated" sounding speaker (smoother, cleaner, and in particular I was sold by the fantastic imaging and ability to disappear). Granted, the Monitor's are no slouch, but I think the Studio's are just that much better. And looking ahead, I'm more than a little excited about upgrading my center to the 470 or 570 once my wallet has recovered, (and upgrading to 40's or mabye 60's, etc. etc., we all know how the bug works....)

Just go and give them both a good audition, and my money is on you walking out the door with the 20's in hand!!