niles300z

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $90.00 from Ebay

Summary:
Yes, it is true what they say. This is a serious speaker. I feel lucky to have had the pleasure of having a pair for the last 12 years. Even the version 1 is awesome. I haven't heard the new ceramic tweeters in the new models yet which they say is quicker...I love the old Vifa tweeters in this box. Between me and my cat we screwed up my first pair after ten years. The stands weren't solid enough, so I found a pair with bad surrounds and re-foamed them and used the old tweeters for a replacement in another set which breathed new life into a pair of lowly TLX model JBL. Anyway. Buy these. Especially for quieter casual listening or get a good sub and they are your every day baby's. Non fatiguing, forgiving. Crisp but not bright. And imaging!
Defined but not clinical. I've been playing with old Advents and Boston Acoustic classics and I can't tear my self from these after all this time.

Strengths:
Imaging, Detail, Forgiveness, Clarity, Value, Listenability

Weaknesses:
There aren't more in my house.

Similar Products Used:
Polk Rti15, Polk R10, R15, Athena, Boston A70, 150. Cizek, Large Advent. Klipsch SB-1

j416

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I'm going to be brief as this review may be too little too late (sorry). Paradigm has recently revamped their product line and the Titans have been completely changed into a larger speaker.
I picked up a new pair of Version 3 speakers last fall after Version 4's were released. I got a nice discount as the dealer was looking to clear out stock as Version 4's were due to arrive.
When my highly regarded $1000 mini monitor speakers needed repairs, I used that time to audition some cheap speakers, which I intended to be temporary replacements. I auditioned 9 different bookshelf speakers ranging in price from $60 to $500/pr. The Titans were, by a wide margin, the best I heard. None of the other speakers, including some highly rated ones, challenged my existing speakers except for the Titans. However, I am not going to say that the Titans beat out $1000 dollar speakers. They don't have the appearance or the overall sonic refinement of a $1000 speaker but they are very close sonically.
Their cabinets are fairly pedestrian looking wood and the grills don't come off.
They are very easy to drive but are capable of revealing flaws upstream.
I once bought an earlier version of these speakers but returned them because of a muddy midrange and boomy bass. These Version 3's are much better, although I have since acquired much better stands to place them on.
The highest compliment I can pay to these speakers is that after my $1000 ones were repaired, I have now decided to keep the Paradigms with no regrets.

Strengths:
Exceptional clarity, inner detailing and tonal accuracy. Outstanding low level resolution of fine details. Nice big soundstage. Easy to drive.

Weaknesses:
Although the bass doesn't boom like the older pair I once tried, it is still a bit ripe at times. Not as warm and refined as British speakers costing well over $1000, but a lot better than anything near its price range that I heard.

Similar Products Used:
System used is a Pioneer DV-578 and NAD C320BEE.
Other speakers considered (in order of preference): Paradigm Atom, Infinitiy Primus, B&W 303, Boston Acoustics CR77, Energy (2 models), Epos EL3, Insignia

Price Paid:  $299.00 from FairviewHiFi

Summary:
Titan v4 purchased at $299CAD.

I was looking for a pair of speakers to use in my office to listen to music and television. I gave up on acquiring something good at the big-box stores and ventured into a local HiFi shop.

After auditioning a few sets of speakers, I selected the Titans.. Why? Because it's amazing what they have done with these little boxes!

I brought them home and mounted in them the upper corners of my office and cranked them up with my old Onkyo TX-SV414.. Sounded alright. Then after about a week of listening, whoa! They had broken in and everything sounded great.

I like them so much I went back recently and bought a second pair to use as rears in my home theatre system, and because the v4's are discontinued they were being sold at $199CAD.

Strengths:
Small package, big sound, good price.

Weaknesses:
v4 discontinued, v5 now at a higher price.

uback007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Audio Encounters

Summary:
OK, I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I have a friend who is a audio engineer in LA and he told me about these speakers. He is using them in his studio, recently replacing the famed Yahama NS-10M with the Titans...I spoke to him about components as I am putting together a modest home theartre...Anyway, I found a great shop that handles Paradigm near my home in Columbus and paid them a visit. I told them what my engineer friend had told me and they of course concurred to his sentiments about how wonderful this little speaker truly is. I had them set up several speakers out of the Paradigm arsenal and I blind tested each..Here were my findings...I really liked the Studio 40's, however, I didnt want to spend that much money as I just bought a new home...My next favorite was the Titans. Keep in mind I was conducting this test completely blind (not literally!) I had NO IDEA what I was hear until I narrowed things down and then the sales rep told me what they were...I actually picked the Titans over a lot of speakers that were considerably more money... So, I said wrap them up! I wanted the Rosenut finish, which my girlfriend loves the color, but they were out of stock, so they gave me the demos that I had heard for 20% off the list of $249.00 - They had just put them into the demo line-up the day before, so they were technically not even broken-in....In my humble opinion, you CANNOT GO WRONG picking up a pair of these gems! They sound killer, GREAT SOUNDSTAGING - I can't say enough wonderful things about them...they simply sound incredible for the money....Don't take my word for it...see, or shall I say, "hear" for yourself :-)

I LOVE MY TITANS AND AM SO GLAD THAT I LISTENED TO MY FRIEND'S RECOMMENDATION AND PICKED UP A PAIR!

Happy Listening!

Strengths:
Clear, with unprecedented soundstaging in this price range...look at the reviews on the Paradigm web site...You'll hear lots of folks with a lot better ears than mine say that they can run with models costing $1000.00 or more....They can!

Weaknesses:
Grilles are not removeable..(who cares?! -its not a big deal) Sound is wonderful with all types of music. Wait till you hear jazz through these babies! Sweet Lord!
!!!

Similar Products Used:
B&W 600 S3
Energy
Polk

Writer2

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.57 of 5, 7.00 votes

Price Paid:  $115.00 from Ebay

Summary:
After trying a number of different entry level bookshelf speakers in my office, without much satisfaction, I saw the good reviews for the Titan. When a pair became available on Ebay, I gave them a try. As an "enthusiast" but certainly not an audiophile, I have to report that the Titans are clearly better than the Polk R15s and Cambridge Soundworks M50s of this world. Better clarity, more base, and generally less of that thin, small box sound. While surely not the equal of a nice floor stander or a $1,000 bookshelf, this is a very, very formidable entry at the $200 price point. Frankly, I am stunned by how good the Titans are. For the record, I am driving them with an old HK3350. I like HK, but I have tried several speakers with it. The Titans are the difference.

Strengths:
Clarity without harshness Surprisingly big, full sound

Weaknesses:
Occasionally a little chesty Not the smallest bookshelf

Similar Products Used:
Polk R15 Cambridge Soundworks M50