good speakers on it's own, killer for rear channels

none

I usually use these speakers as my rear channels for home theatre DVD. But truthfully it's almost criminal for such amazing sounding speakers to only be used for that. They are fantastic at playing 2ch music on their own. If I didn't have large front speakers or was going to use these in a small room I wouldn't have any trouble letting the Atom's do the job. Put a small sub with them and there you go, an instant great sounding system for very little cash.

For rear channel effects the Atoms are wonderful. Small, and easy to place. I recently upgraded to the Studio CC for the my center channel and 100's for my mains, but I liked Atom's so much I didn't have the desire to upgrade to the Studio 20's as the rear channels, it's sounds great as it is and the 20's cost a heck of a lot more.

I often have the urge to set the Atom's up as computer speakers. Wow now that's the way to play 3D games! I'm thinking about picking up another pair of Atoms and a small amp for a dedicated computer stereo system.

My system:
Yamaha RX-V595 (reciever)
Paradigm Atom (rear)
Paradigm Studio CC (center)
Paradigm Studio 100 (main)

unbeatable price/performance, good stereo imaging, small manageable size, great sound!

Not enough base by themselves. They go down to 55hz, but are pretty weak in that range. Definitely back them up with a sub

Great value, this is my first setup, which consists of:
-Denon AVR 65
-Denon DCM 65
-Paradigm atoms
-paradigm PDR-8.

For the pricerange, these speakers are unparalleled in sound quality. Of course, my mother's Paradigm Reference Studio 60's sound noticeably better, but they also cost $1,100+/pair

Yeah, the AVR 65 is a HT receiver.. that's because some day I hope to get the rest of the gear and go at it!

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm micro's titans, Boston Accoustics

Price, Looks, Built Quality

None

One of the best bookshelf speakers (for the money - of course). They are in my bedroom and I listen to them more than some of my other high end stuff. They reproduce music
about as well as it can be reproduced from a box this size.
The definitely do not lack bass. If anything they tend to be
a tad boomy especially with rock. But since I listen mostly
to jazz and classical, that's a non issue. This is one of Paradigm's gems - period! Audition them and you will buy them.
As far as some of the posts here stating that a bookshelf speaker can't get a five star rating (using the current system)- remember you are supposed to rate this speaker against similar products and not $5,000 floor standing speakers. Furthermore, a two-way bookshelf speaker mounted properly in a room that is not to large will usually reproduce music better than many floor standing models that have been designed with home theater in mind.

Just goes to show we all hear things differently.

Similar Products Used:

Jamo, AR, Infinity, Pinnacle, BIC

Most Detailed speaker I've heard in this class, ever! Bass is tight and accurate. Treble is smooth and airy, wonderful.

NONE - Oh God! I don't want to put bass here like everyone else 'cause that's ridiculous. The speakers are only 11" high!

I have never heard a better small speaker. The sound quality rivals the sound of most of the large speakers that I've had or listened to. The only exception is my Klipsch KLH 20s but they're about 400% larger! I swear you'll love these speakers the more you listen to them. I often find that I don't want to stop listening because I hear so much of the music through them. I use these speakers to determine which of my music is truly high quality vs the run-of-the mill punch-em-out-as-quick-as-you-can CD crap that is too frequently produced. Not only can I find out which material is bad, but WHY it sounds bad. If you don't own a pair, find a dealer and get 'em and join the rest of us in Paradigm Nirvana!

Similar Products Used:

Polk POCs

good sound

BRIGHT AT HIGH VOLUMES

GREAT SPEAKER FOR SURROUND SOUND EVEN IF YOU HAVE MORE EXPENSIVE FRONTS AND CENTRE.O.K FOR FRONTS,JUST CANT HANDLE TO MUCH POWER.IF YOU ARE INTO HOME THEATRE LIKE MYSELF AUDITION THESE SPEAKERS.GREAT VALUE,GREAT SOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

TITANS

accurate, small, super for office system

none major, not great at low volume levels

Have almost identical setup to that of Ken's below, Cambridge D300 source and an old early 80's 35wpc Onkyo receiver. Perfect combo for my office. I would tell anyone looking for an inexpensive 2-chann elsetup for cramped quarters to seriuosly consider the NAD L-40 all in one receiver/CD player (refurbs on EBAY or YAWA around $350) and a pair of atoms. Atoms beat out Titans on accuracy across the spectrum.

Sharp Three Dimensional Image, Detailed, Accurate Body and Midbass, Speed

None

I agree fully with "OK" from Norway, review Mar14/00, that the design does not try to do the low-bass and make a mediocre performance. I believe many speakers do exactly that, an attempt at low-bass, but an impaired performance overall. What this speaker gives you, is a midbass that has a wonderful body to it. Using four instruments as an example, acoustic guitar, standup bass, standup or grand piano and even kettle drums. Take a real listen to these speakers, and you will hear the "body" of the instruments, unlike many speakers at a higher price. The only speakers I have heard, that do this well, are the $3500 JMLabs.

These Atoms improve very well with the electronics that are fed to them - a statement in itself. Surprisingly, they sound especially good with the mid70's Marantz gear, but not as detailed as the Mission Cyrus One or Two. But with the Missions, they are extremely articulate and fast. They sound probably best (very detailed) with single ended tube gear, but do need power that some of these amps cannot give. Mounting is important as they should be as solid as possible with good cabling. (Try using three cables braided together per channel using computer cat5 wire - very high $$ value)

We have the new version Atoms setup also as a bedroom system. They have made our Yamaha CT-1010 tuner come to life, which I always thought was a bit flat in texture, especially in that midbass region.

Paradigm has put together a great product for the money, and will help promote this great hobby of high-fidelity. The rest of the industry should drop what their doing and take some notes.

Similar Products Used:

Energy ESM4 & Reference Connossieur, Titan, Tannoy 615, JMLab, Babb 534 & P6

I had the Paradigm Micros for about 2 years and decided to get an extra pair for my small home theatre setup.

When I saw that the Atoms were $20 more than the micros, I jumped on them and I'm still impressed with the Paradigm quality!

At $169 a pair (Canadian I must add!), its a STEAL!!!

I also impressed my friends and my neighbor downstairs with the power and the quality of the sound these little Atoms make. Yes, it is lacking bass, but what can you expect for a speaker so small!!!

My "little" setup

Yamaha RX-V392 (receiver)
Paradigm Atom (front)
Cerwin-Vega CC-240 (center)
Paradigm Micro (rears)
Coming soon: PDR-8 or PDR-10 sub!

You can't go wrong with these gems... highly recommended!

Natural midrange and treble, solid imaging, good bass down to about 80 Hz or so

low bass extension, but this is a small speaker, so that is totally acceptable

I have had these speakers for about three years, and have always been impressed by the natural sound of the midrange particularly. The overall presentation of sound is very convincing, and the sound stage they produce is quite realistic.
The closer I placed them to the rear wall, the better they seemed to sound; the midrange sounded a bit "cupped" when I moved them about 2 feet from the back wall.
I use them with an Onkyo stereo receiver, in a bedroom. In my main room, I have a pair on Infinity SM 100 speakers. Thought the Infinity speakers are much larger and much deeper bass response (not really a fair comparison), the Atoms are arguably more accurate and possibly more satisfying overall. Considering their price, they are an exceptional value.

Similar Products Used:

listened to Infinity RS-1 in demo

Overall Balance with Exceptional Detail to the Mid to high Range

Deep Bass - But do not expect that from a speaker of this size

I purchased these speakers years ago as a novice to the home theater/audio experience. I wanted speakers that could produce, but was hesitant to spend too much in the beginning. I love 'em. I hear my friends systems and there is no comparison. These speakers produce what others wish they could at the most affordable price. I was amazed at the Atom's ability to create the tonal balance I needed for my apartment. You want quality at an affordable price, these Atoms are a great start. I have since caught the Home Theater fever and put together a nice little system at an affordable price using these Atoms as my rears with: a Marantz SR-8000 Digital Receiver with DTS, Paradigm Titans up front, a PS 1000 sub, and a CC-150 as my Center, it is a fun entry level home theater - all attributed to the Atoms.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Titans - Front Left and Right
CC 150 - Center
Paradigm PS 1000 - Powered Sub
Marantz SR-8000 Digital Receiver
Toshiba DVD