what I received for what I paid, aesthetics, build quality, clear sound across the full spectrum

none?

I had purchased a pair of Mini Monitors and was running them with a PDR10. This system I had for about 9 months. At first I was in awe. After a ehile fo getting used to them I found it hard to integrate the two. Finding the one correct setting of gain and crossover on the sub was difficult. There seemed to be a "sonic hole" around the mid bass. After much frustration I traded them in for the Monitor 7.
first impression was on the appearance; a nice looking and well built product. The critical impression, though, is how it sounded. Out of the box, I was quite disappointed. The sound was muffled, the bass (the primary reason for the change) was weak and terrible. The music I listem to, mainly reggae and hip hop (some dance here and there), has very strong bass lines. My taste is for smooth and articulated bass. After putting about 20 hours of music through them, the 7 started to sound much better. Everything was smoother, the bass bacame bloody tight and quite deeper than what I was expecting. They didn't quite hit the lower octave like the PDR10, but the bass was distinct. The mids were definitely more clear than the other set-up, and had more forwardness. The overall soundstage is very open, placement of speakers had much to do with this.
I use my system mainly for music:

Yamaha CDC775
NAD C350
AudioQuest Topaz, 1 ft
Goertz Alpha-core HT, 5 ft biwired

though I do have a full HT setup:

Panasonic DVDrv30
Yamaha RXV496
Paradigm Titans (r)
Paradigm CC350 (c)

For HT, the 7 is a good main speaker. It brings more to the front end than does the Mini. The extra woofers give them a bit more punch. The bass is adequate but one definitely needs a sub for HT purposes.
After installing the AudioQuest Topaz, the sound was much improved.

If you are looking for a detailed main floorstanding speaker which has a neutral tone, but are on a budget, look no further than the Paradigm Monitor 7.
5 stars for value since you get much more than you pay for, 5 stars overall because there isn't a better speaker at the price.

Similar Products Used:

paradigm Minis, infinty sm65

Haven't used for very long, but very clear and detailed midrange. Still need to be broken in I think. Very well built, no cabinet resonance found in cheaper speakers. Hands down, the best speaker for the money.

None so far; tweeter seems a bit bright, but needs to be broken in I think.

I listened to several brands [all more expensive than Paradigm]; Polk, Boston Acoustics, PSB, Bang & Olufsen, but for the money I could not find another speaker better in the price range. Granted, speakers are very subjective to everyone, but these have no complaints from me. A very detailed, crisp clear all around speaker. I've read that many people think the tweeter is too bright, well just turn down the gain on the highs. Will post again when have broken in.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Export BPs - also very excellent speaker, not made, but if can find, highly suggested.

Crisp but not overly bright.
Great construction.
Bass is very tight.
Imaging is fantastic. The sound stage produced is remarkable.
Overall these speakers really deliver! Everything from Heavy
Metal to Jazz comes across with detail to spare.

Wish they were about 6 inches taller.
When I purchesed mine new I had to return one of the speakers due to a faulty crossover. I've been running them
hard and long with no futher difficulty.

Auditioned many different speakers for a few months before
buying the Paradigms. The salesman didn't lie they perform
at there best after about a month of long play times.
The sound is just plain impressive.
The Monitior 7's are running with the Paradigm CC350 center
channel. With a Polk Audio Subwoofer as well the surronds.
I've been so impressed the Paradigm line up I'm going to
swap out my Polk surronds with Paradigm's Dipole speakers.
For the money I'd put my Monitiors up against Klisph or
Definitve's line up any day. For under a $1000.00 if you find a better deal on speakers there probely stolen.

Similar Products Used:

Polk Audio, Klisph, Def Tech

Bass, neutral, style, the PRICE I PAID

Sensitivity, only decent imaging, mids could be better (2 way speaker)

Let me be frank. I own a pair of JM Labs Tantal 515's. I'd much rather watch movies in dolby digital with the Monitor 7's taking over for my main speakers. They handle bass much better and it's punchy bass unlike the Monitor 9's. Other than that I much prefer the more refined sound of the JM Labs. But they're not in the same price range so it's not fair to compare. I got the Monitor 7's on special for 450 plus tax. THAT is why I bought them, I heard them before several times and I like them because they were neutral sounding speakers. Some speakers have a lot of bass or they are very accurate natural sounding with no bass like the JM Labs I own. The 7's are an all around speaker good for any task, and at the price I got them they're a steal. If you are considering Monitor 9's I will flat out tell you you will get more bass, but the mids will suffer and the bass won't be as nice, get 7's instead.

Similar Products Used:

Polk audio, infinity, other products not in the same price range.

Crisp but not overly bright.
Great construction.
Bass is very tight.
Imaging is fantastic. The sound stage produced is remarkable.
Overall these speakers really deliver! Everything from Heavy
Metal to Jazz comes across with detail to spare.

Wish they were about 6 inches taller.
When I purchesed mine new I had to return one of the speakers due to a faulty crossover. I've been running them
hard and long with no futher difficulty.

Auditioned many different speakers for a few months before
buying the Paradigms. The salesman didn't lie they perform
at there best after about a month of long play times.
The sound is just plain impressive.
The Monitior 7's are running with the Paradigm CC350 center
channel. With a Polk Audio Subwoofer as well the surronds.
I've been so impressed the Paradigm line up I'm going to
swap out my Polk surronds with Paradigm's Dipole speakers.
For the money I'd put my Monitiors up against Klisph or
Definitve's line up any day. For under a $1000.00 if you find a better deal on speakers there probely stolen.

Similar Products Used:

Polk Audio, Klisph, Def Tech

I just purchased the Yamaha DSP-A1 so I needed a center channel and I figuredI go with 2 new mains and use my old generic tower speakers for rears at the
moment.
After reading many reviews on the internet I I went to demo Monitor 7 or 9's at Audio Video on Saturday with the intention of purchasing either one with the CC-350 center channel.
I left the store without purchasing any speakers!
Where is the bass from theses speakers? Was it just the store setup?
Can anyone vouch for these speakers? It looks to me like you have to buy a
sub with these speakers if you want any bass.
At the moment I can't afford a sub. I want to buy a pair of tower speakers
that have some bass max budget 1000 CDN dollars, any suggestions?
I have looked at Energy C-6's, NHT 2.5's and Polks but did not like them.
What about the Paradigm reference studio 80 or 100's?
Any help would be great!!
Thanks in advance

The Monitor 7 is one of the better speakers for the money. The speaker is plain awesome! Some people complain about a lack of bass from the speaker and I had that problem originally. If you place the speakers correctly you will have plenty of clean bass. The secret is to play with the positioning. The imaging is excellent! You can close your eyes and really see the sound stage in your mind. Even movies have some extra depth. The build quality is better than most, and the speaker looks really nice in any decor. I would recommend this speaker to anyone upgrading from any Best Buy / Circuit City speakers. They do demand some power so make sure you have a decent reciever. In summary, the Paradigm Monitor 7 is a great buy!

I just upgraded from 6 year old Paradigm 5se MKll’s to the Monitor 7. Despite the fact they still need some time to break in, I am very impressed with the overall sound. Rediscovering your music library describes the effect these speakers have on the listener. Inner detail and textures are better defined giving the listener a deeper soundstage with greater clarity. I have these paired with the PDR12 sub with the crossover at 40hz. Another perfect match from Paradigm.

Great highs, and overall sound

none found so far

I had decided to upgrade from my Kenwood, so I spent some time reading and reviewing different systems. I listend to the Paradigm Cinema and decided to take it home. I hooked it up to my Yamaha RX-V396 reciever. I listen to alot of R&B music with alot of bass and heard a good test for speakers would be classical. I decided to put some classical that my wife likes, they sounded great!!! I also listend to The Phantom Mennace soundtrack and it will give anyone a good idea about the range of the speakers they use.
I then put The Eagles live performance "Hell Freezes Over" into the dvd player and it sounded so good. For a good price I would suggest the Paradigm Cinema series. I am now looking into the Monitor 7. Good luck on the search for speakers and home entertainment.

Similar Products Used:

Jamo Apollo

Sound

Could look better... see Monitor 7.2's.

Pairing these with my Yamaha receiver and CD changer for over 1.5 years did not do these speakers justice. I thought they sounded great until this past month.
My first upgrade was to a Rotel CD player... never did I think music could sound this good. Next I picked up a NAD T761. The sound improved again (but not as drastically as it did with the Rotel).
Musically these speakers are nothing short of phenomenal. The detail and soundstaging in high quality recordings makes me yearn to be at home so I can listen to all my old cd's. On the down side, lackluster rock recordings sound pitiful now that I know the possibilities. No desire to buy new tunes shortly as I'll be going through all my old stuff... it sounds new again. When I listen to live stuff in the dark its as if I'm there with the band.
Placement is important as previously mentioned, but that's a fun thing to play with.
These are my first speakers of decent quality so I have no comparissons. I did audition them against B&W's, Boston Accoustics and others. The Monitor 7's sound outstanding... I'd love to sit and listen to music all day (but I have to work). My entire HT set-up is Paradigm and my future upgrades will start with Paradigm Reference auditions. Placed and matched properly I can't imagine how the Monitor 7's can be beat for $700 Canadian (probably cheaper now).