Price Paid:  $574.00 from Spearit Sound Boston

Summary:
I bought these speakers as part of a home theater package, all Paradigm v.5 2007 models: Monitor 7, CC-190, ADP-390s, PDR-10. Components are Rotel RSX-1057, Cambridge Audio DVD89 and Samsung 50" Plasma. The room is a converted basement space that is quite large and carpeted. This was my first foray into HT, as my main system is a highly optimized 2-channel analog vinyl rig. My criteria was value and a non-glaring/harsh/biting sound. Soundtracks and explosions on DVD's can be quite grating after awhile, so a natural, non-fatiguing sound was paramount in my purchase. I listened to a setup of Pioneer Elite and PSB speakers and I thought my head was going explode after a few minutes. The sound was so sharp and hollow that it was a distraction from the movie. I then tried Denon with Definitive Technologies and Klipsch speakers at Magnolia. The Klipsch were actually a bit more pleasing in the naturalness category when I asked to here them with a low end Pioneer amp (non-digital) - but I have no idea how anyone can listen to Denon receiver components. So I finally decided to "spend some more money" to get a better sound and went to Spearit. The Paradigm Monitor line seemed in my budget, surprisingly, and was like night and day compared to what I had heard earlier. The Monitor 7 itself does lack a bit in bass - but in an HT setup that point is moot. The cohesiveness of sound, natural presentation and forward but round attack is a great strength of this line (and a surprise to me - they won't replace your main rig speakers but they are great for HT). Explosions are "explosive" but not like a knife through your head, soundtracks are larger than life and free-flowing without constraint, and there is a seamless thread through the entire sound spectrum. I listened to the Monitor 7's on their own in 2-channel, and the sound is very pleasant and neutral - although not the last word in midrange or bass as mentioned above. But as part of the HT experience they are incredible performers. I preferred then to the Titan v.5 due to their extremely small footprint and better midrange. They match slightly better with the CC290, but I had a height limit which only allowed me to get the 190. There is a slight, very slight, loss of roundness when using the 190 with the 7, but not enough to make buying the 290 an absolute must. And I would highly recommend the ADP390 over the ADP190. It pairs so much better with the 7's for many reasons. In the end I spent the same amount of money and got a system that was perfect for my needs. One last observation: I had always heard that Rotel was a "bright" amp maker. Not true - at least when paired with Paradigm Monitor Series v5.s. The Rotel seems very neutral, not being overly bright or overly warm either.

Strengths:
Non-fatiguing and natural sound, excellent when paired as part of a HT setup with other v.5 speakers, forward and free flowing presentation without constraint.

Weaknesses:
Slight loss of bass and midrange, but the price/performance ratio make this a non-issue. These are HT speakers.

Similar Products Used:
PSB, Klipsch, DT

Price Paid:  $560.00 from Audio Craft (Clevela

Summary:
I was in need of updating my Polk RT 400 speakers. About 7 years ago I bought a Paradigm PS 1200 subwoofer, so I decided to look at their line. I have to say these speakers are amazing for the size of them. My dealer had a 20% off sale that helped out alot. They had a pair of v4 on sale for $500.00, but for a few dollars more I went with the newer ones. The v5's sounded fuller to my ears. I wanted something that was clean, and natural sounding, and these fit the bill. I am going to take the plunge and pick up a CC 390 center chanel. My dealer has a one year speaker upgrade program so If I decide to go the the 9 or 11 series, I will have the center channel covered.

Strengths:
Clean natural sound, perfect size for a large or small room, and very loud. Great bang for the money. The 5 year warranty is also a strength.

Weaknesses:
None so far. These speakers do what Paradigm says they will do.

Similar Products Used:
Polk RT 400 speakers, Polk Cs 400 center channel, and polk rt 3 surrounds

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I currently purchased the new paradigm Monitor 7 v5's the CC-290 v5 the ADP-190's and a new v2 pw2100. These speakers replaced monitor 7 v3's, cc-370 v3, adp-370's and a pw2200 v1. This review will focus on the Monitor 7's. I am aware that the sugested replacement for a monitor 7 in the V5 line is the monitor line is the monitor 9, but make no mistake this monitor 7 v5 is still much more speaker than the 7 v3. Still bi-wirable and with a seperate mid driver exellent cross over pionts and much more power handaling clarity and volume. This by the way is a 2007 model not 2006. This speaker has flater bass response but that is due to a dual rear port design and the reponse is quite good after 50 hours of break in and a little volume, these speakers just handle so much more power. The imaging and clarity has been taken to a new level and is very impressive esspecially with a good amp. If you need a very strong speaker with clarity and power for music and movies this is it. these speakers integrate with a sub extreemly well and are very easy to listen to for hours at a time not harsh or shallow in any way. I am really enjoying these and they just keep getting better go check them out.

Strengths:
Not boomy or bloated
Very flat true response
Vocals pop like crazy
Nice dynamics and excellent clarity
1 tweeter 1 mid 2 woofers
bi-wirable
Very easy to listen to

Weaknesses:
Honestly at this price point up to about double their value none.

Similar Products Used:
Amps

Denon, Sony Es, Yamaha, Cambridge Audio, Pioneer Elite

Speakers

Paradigm, B&W, Cambridge Audio, KEF, Athena, Sony, Difinitive Technology

Other

Oppo, optoma, infocus

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I listened to this speaker for an additional pair in a 2 channel setup. I already own a pair of monitor 7 v2. I thought the sound was a little thinner than what I was used to with the v2 model. Not as much mid range/base. After my listening session, I saw that the Monitor 7 V5 is a replacement for the Monitor 5. For a fair comparisin to previous models you'd have to listen to the Monitor 9v5 (which is replacing the Monitor 7/9). I don't know what the other v5 models sound like. This is just a heads up to be sure that you compare apples to apples if you're reverencing previous Monitor versions.

Price Paid:  $600.00 from in Michigan

Summary:
Nothing subtle about these speakers as the sound comes right at you. These are definitely not the reserved type of British speaker; these move alot of air. My receiver is a denon surround sound type but this pair is the only one I'm using for now and the sound is great for both audio and home theater/tv. The highs are clear, the bass tight and well defined and the midrange imaging is totally dependent on the mix of a recording but crisp as well. The great sound also owes to the fact of 2 ports, one of which is directly behind the high driver, improving the imaging of these speakers. A must is to biwire in order to get wide dispersion from them. . All together, every day I look forward to listening to them.

Strengths:
Well defined highs and bass as well as good imaging in the midrange.

Weaknesses:
Must biwire for better dispersion. Revealing for inferior or old recordings but that's a function of how clean these speakers are.

Similar Products Used:
The usual British, Canadian and US speakers in the price range (B&W, Monitor Audio, AE, KEF, PSB, Def Tec, Klipsch, BA etc...)