sound

low power handling

These speakers are marvellous for the price. There is nothing that I have heard that is comparable anywhere near the price range. I have listened to a wide range of brands.

The speakers sound better after an extended break-in period.

I have found that audio equipment prices follow the rule of decreasing marginal benefit. It's an exponential curve. So if you spend $100 for KLH speakers, you will be 500% better off by spending $500 for Paradigm monitor 7s. However, you will only be 50% better off by spending $2000 on some speakers. What I am trying to say is that for the money, these are as good as it gets in terms of value. The truth is that more expensive speakers ARE better, but cost at least $3000, and some much more.

One thing I don't like about them, which isn't a big deal, is that I have to turn the gain on my amps to 25% power, and I don't like that. They can't handle much more than 50W continuous.

Also, these speakers must be biwired if you want them to sound good. (It seems to only make a difference for the low mids and bass.)

Similar Products Used:

tried a lot of stuff

Clarity, exceptional imaging, accurate bass

none so far

Wow! The wife finally caved in to years of pestering and now I think she is even glad she did. These sound incredible, both in a home theatre setting and listening in stereo. I noticed a big difference in bass output after I bi-wired these babies. I really have a hard time imagining a speaker that will sound a whole lot better at any price. And speaking of price, that was the clincher. My advice to any of you Americans who want a great sounding Canadian-made speaker, make the drive across the border and save yourself a lot of money.

Similar Products Used:

Energy eXL26

Just picked up a pair of these for a shade over $700 CDN. I have given them a good listen with a variety of program material, from Nine Inch Nails to Bach to Chick Corea. I am impressed by the good balance and imaging - though a little forward sounding on rock, they are well-detailed and not overly "etched". (I have a fairly "live" listening area, so the forward quality might be as much he room as the speakers). They also have excellent dispersive qualities - sound character did not vary much from point to point in my living room.
They seem to do best on acoustic material and jazz. Unlike some of the other reviews here, I didn't find them too fussy with respect to room placement.
Overall, an excellent speaker, especially when one considers the price. ON sound alone, I give them a 4 rating, but on price/performance, I give them a...

Sounded OK compared to Klipsch RF-3

Sounded awful compared to B&W 600 S2 series and Def. Tech. bipolars

I guess this thread just goes to show how subjective speaker preference can be. I'm sure all the happy reviewers are enjoying their listening experience, and that's all that matters. Quite likely, many of them are more discerning listeners than myself, but I implore other shoppers to do plenty of comparisons before taking the plunge.
To my ear these were almost ringers for my JBL G600's which are slated for demotion to my basement system. They sounded fine until I tried out B&W 600 series on the same amp, and same with Def. Tech at another shop. In both cases, the Paradigms sounded rather weak and distorted in direct comparison to these brands, IMVHO.
Since I am using a sub (the wonderful Klipsch KSW-12) my choice was to go with the B&W DM602-S2 earlier today. Obviously, that audition went well, but I'll wait until after they're broken in before I post that review.

Similar Products Used:

auditioned Klipsch, B&W, Def. Tech, BA, etc, was shopping to replace JBL G500's

Decent bass output from two 6.5 mid/bass drivers. The highs get sweet and smooth after they break in a little. Clarity is excellent. Sound is warm and easy to listen to for long periods out of my VR-309. Soundstaging is wide and it's easy to place instruments.

I guess I'm being a little subjective, but I really can't think of any at this time.

I was calling around one day trying to find places that carry Klipsch speakers. I called this one place, Ensemble in Nashua, NH. I asked the guy on the phone about Klipsch, and he asked me what I was looking for and how much I wanted to spend. I gave him a ball park figure of $500-600 dollars. He told me that they didn't sell Klipsch speakers, but he thought that I would be much happier if I listened to a pair of Monitor 7's. I thought that I should keep my options open, so I did. I thought that the Klipsch's sounded good when I heard them until I heard the Paradigm's. The Paradigms were so clear. They were truly music to my ears. The 7's put a smile on my face. I bought them as soon as I had the money. I'm very happy with them. They sound great with music even on my so-so, entry level Kenwood VR-309 (saving for a Marantz SR-7000). They also sound quite good in a home theater set up even though I need a better CC and a powered sub. They still gave more of the backround, subtle noises that do count in soundtracks, that I was missing with my old pair of speakers (a pair of RSL2600 mini monitors). Just so people don't think I am totally biased, I also listened to a pair of Paradigm Studio 60's. IMHO,these blow away the 7's in pretty much all catagories. There are better speakers out there. I still, however, believe these are worth 5's all the way around because they don't cost much, and they sure sound incredible. Give these a listen and decide for yourself. Your ears are all that matters.

riding the rift of life as if it were a mile wide.......

I just recently traded in a pair of Bose 501's for these speakers. They are much better than the Bose and have clean, tight sound in all ranges. I have a Paradigm subwoofer (PDR10) and atom speakers for my rear speakers. I am still running a Bose center speaker and it matches very well with the Paradigm's. Because of the quality, sound and price of the Paradigm Monitor 7's I will give them a rating of 4. Since hearing sounds is subjective to each individual, give them a try, I'm sure you'll hear the difference. By the way, I returned the Bose on advice from a friend and business associate - Terry. This is for you Terry!!MY EARS THANK YOU !!!!!!

had a Test day today , reviewed Energy e:xl serie , virtuel , and the monitor 7 The Sound of the energy was quite great , but the sub was awful , Virtuel 303 had only one thing energy dosnt have , power ... but dosnt have anything right ... Finally i tested the Monitor 7 ...... Alleluia .

I've listen to Armageddon DVD , and the sound was clear and not anoying . But what makes the real difference , was my listening off yanni ... I was amaze , the string sounds better , the pizzicato they were playing , was clearer and sharper than the energy , the brasses were great too ... everything was perfect !!!

Affordable

Harsh, overly brighter

I like Paaradigm, but didnt care for these. The highs were harsh, although admittedly I demo'ed them in a little music shop that had a terrible set up. It pained me to here a live blues cd on them. The studio 60's are far better, albeit a bit pricey. The PSB's have good base but they didnt have the crisp highs and imaging that I was looking for, as I listen to mostly acoustical guitar. So far, I am debating between the Kef Q55.2 and the Paradigm Studio 60, and would like also to try some Pinnacle Gold Reference. The Kef's have had the best imaging or sound stage of the speakers I have listened to, but the Paradigm Reference have such great build quality, I am having trouble deciding. A Paradigm salesperson mentioned that he used to sell Kef and had quality issues with the uni-q driver, but I'm not sure it was a sincere appraisal. The Moniter Audio's were very nice, as well, but I'm not sure they can handle the large room I will be placing them in. Oh well, the search goes on...

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Reference studio 60, KefQ35.2, Kef Q55.2, Monitor Audio Silver 5i, PSB Image 4t, B&W603s2

Just wanted to say that if any of you are comparing the Paradigm's to bose than you should not classify yourself as anything highter than a Casual Listener. Bose products are not made to be audiophile speakers and shouldn't be qualified as such. I love my monitor 7's and wouldn't trade them for anything I've seen for under 2K. i also found that cabinetry to be very precise and well made so maybe the guy above just got a bad set... Buy these if you can. They are well worth the money in my mind!!!

A lot of product and performance for the price. The Monitor 7 is a 3 driver/2 way floorstanding loudspeaker that can be bi-wired or bi-amped via gold binding posts. It contains a high quality titanium dome tweeter which is smooth-no ringing or screeching here! Two 6.5" polypropylene mid/bass drivers with aluminum cast frames perform well. Midrange is natural, imaging is very good and soundstaging is good. Bass is deep and realistic - good to the low 30's (hz). Not boomy, when you move it away from boundaries which is routine for most speakers. I toe mine in so I just see the inside edges of the cabinets. But experimentation might yield better results with a variety of rooms. I have not tried bi-wiring/amping, so I have no opinion here. It retails for $630 but performs at a level with speakers costing many times more! Remember.....Paradigm does not have to fund its R&D, it utilizes Canada's R&D facility the "National Research Council", unlike many manufacturers who pass this substantial cost on to the customer. Combine this with a favorable exchange rate between US & Canadian currencies and you get "big bang for your bucks"! Happy listening!