Paradigm Reference Studio 80 v2 Floorstanding Speakers Reviews

jmall

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.11 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Natural Sound, Kitch

Summary:
Since these aren't made anymore I guess this review is for posterity and the used market... Having bounced around a bit over the past 10 or so years with respect to audio equipment I have so far owned these babies (80 v2) for about 3 years now and I can honestly give what I would consider a knowledgable review. First of all, the fact that I have actually stuck with these over the last 3 years is testimonial of how much my wife and I like them. We play music on a daily basis - everything from Mozart to Megadeth. There are times when I am left a little wanting of the last in detail - the mids can muddy up a bit and the highs can be a bit harsh from time-to-time. But let me say this, I have never been put off enough to upgrade. I have looked and listened over the last year to Totem's, B&Ws, newer Paradigm floorstanders, ML, Proac, "many others" and while some might appear to sound a bit better in the store, when I go home and give another listen to mine I always am left shaking my head at just how close these are (and even sometimes much better) to what I heard at the store. The bottom line is that I have been happy with these for longer then any other speaker I have ever owned (and I have owned a few in the last 20 years). Even today they can amaze me and make my jaw drop. At the time, I could have also bought the Studio 100 v2s which are pretty raved about. But there was something I liked better in the mids with the 80s. And I am so glad that I went with my gut on that. What better testimonial can I give :)

One of the questions we are asked to answer - who should/shouldn't use these speakers? I like my music live and dynamic. Thus I like to play some stuff loudish and some good solid state muscle is required. The highs can be harsh but these can be mostly tamed with some tube intermediary equipment - in my case a tubed pre (man, that made a quantum leap from my Marantz receiver). If you are into Rock (anything since 1970), Dance, Hip-Hop/Rap, Jazz, Heavy Metal - these things will get you smiling. In my opinion live stuff, audiophile recordings (ie. the stuff everyone says they like but just use it to show how good their system can sound) and classical is probably not as good as could be had on say Totem or Proac. If you listen very softly, I wouldn't get these either. But if you are like me and like a b it of everything (except opera - I can't stand it so don't listen) then give these suckers a try. I swear you won't be disappointed as long as you take the weaknesses below to head and heart.

Strengths:
They do everything well. They are so well rounded and can also play some stuff to a degree that can still make my jaw drop. I am one happy listener!

Weaknesses:
I am not saying here that they are the best speakers available at any price. Certainly my ears can tell that some things can get muddled up in the mids (what do you expect for an 8" mid?). The highs can get a bit harsh but can be tamed with the right gear.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Stereo Plus Gibsons

Summary:
I have read a few of the reviews of the Studio 80's and have to agree with most comments. I was using these as my stereo speakers with a Rotel Integrated RA-840BX4. Whenever friends would come and listen, they would ask where the sub-woofer was hidden. I did not have one. These speakers do take quite a while to break in, but then they are a true delight to listen to. When driven with a good current producing amp, the bass is clean & clear. They have the ability to go down fairly low. When playing Peter Gabriel's "Up" cd, I could feel the bass through my whole body. The mids and highs are also very clear, but can almost be too bright at times. I am in the process of building a home theatre room, and have bought the Paradigm Studio 100 v2's as my fronts and my Studio 80's are my rears. I am borrowing my Son's Yamaha R-V905 receiver, to use as the surround receiver. All I have to say about this is I can hardly wait until I have enough money to buy my new Rotel receiver and give some life back to these speakers. The bass is muddy and muffled sounding with the Yamaha, which is typical of low current or current limiting amplifiers/receivers. A good quality middle of the road amp such as Rotel, NAD, Musical Fidelity or maybe a Marantz is definitely the way to make these speakers sound their best. I initialy heard these speakers at my dealers on a Parasound power-pre seperates. They were truely delightfull to listen to and I bought them a few months later.

Strengths:
Clean, clear, spacious & deep sound

Weaknesses:
A little too bright on the high end if you can't turn down the treble on your amp.

Similar Products Used:
B&W 600's, Klipsch, Infinity 1.5's

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Top Audio

Summary:
What can I say that other reviewers haven't said! Transparency, great soundstage with good bass extension, smooth, silky highs thanks to the "soft aluminum dome" tweeters, and well-balanced midrange. A "break-in" period of 50 hours + is recommeded. Mine sounded great out of the box and progressively got better as "break-in" continued. However, all of the above holds true as long as they are used with good amplification (don't let the "fairly" efficiency rating fool you).

Strengths:
Sound - bass extension, upper base, clear midrange, and silky-smooth highs. Built, solid cabinet with beatiful finish, very elegant. Dual sets of "gold plated" binding post for biwiring/biamping.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm Monitor Series (on my 2nd system), auditioned Energy Veritas, Klipsch Reference, B&W, Monitor Audio, Totem Acoustics, and JM Labs(Electra & Cobalt series)

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Top Audio

Summary:
What can I say that other reviewers haven't said! Transparency, great soundstage with good bass extension, smooth, silky highs thanks to the "soft aluminum dome" tweeters, and well-balanced midrange. A "break-in" period of 50 hours + is recommeded. Mine sounded great out of the box and progressively got better as "break-in" continued. However, all of the above holds true as long as they are used with good amplification (don't let the "fairly" efficiency rating fool you).

Strengths:
Sound - bass extension, upper base, clear midrange, and silky-smooth highs. Built, solid cabinet with beatiful finish, very elegant. Dual sets of "gold plated" binding post for biwiring/biamping.

Weaknesses:
NONE

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm Monitor Series (on my 2nd system), auditioned Energy Veritas, Klipsch Reference, B&W, Monitor Audio, Totem Acoustics, and JM Labs(Electra & Cobalt series)

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Audioshop Ottawa

Summary:
I purchased the Studio 80's along with a Harman Kardon AVR 45 H.T. Receiver. The speakers have been great aside from blowing one of the tweeters. I am now using a Marantz SR 8200 H.T. Receiver and have noticed a huge difference in the sound. They have handled pretty much what I have thrown at them. The tweeter was replaced at my cost..I have since changed all my speakers to Paradigm from B&W!

Strengths:
Excellent for Home Theatre, and easy listening music. Nice finish, and easy clean grills. Overall, nice appearance!

Weaknesses:
I had to buy a sub woofer as the Studio 80's didn't handle the bass from my rock and roll collection too well. The gold adjustable feet are hard to level (but at least they can be levelled!)

Similar Products Used:
B&W