Paradigm Reference Studio 100 Floorstanding Speakers
Paradigm Reference Studio 100 Floorstanding Speakers
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[Jan 12, 2002]
Ray
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Clear powerful sound, look good
Weakness:
none I am very happy with these speakers, I listen to a lot of heavy rock, and these bring out the true powerful sound. Similar Products Used: didn't need to use any other |
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[Nov 10, 2000]
Wayne Picard
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Full range, Dynamic, Imaging
Weakness:
Will not smooth out poor recordings. I have enjoyed these Studio 100v2 for just over a year now. I originaly powered these speakers with a AV receiver rated at 135 watts per channel in the front. I was pleased with the results, but felt there was more to be had from these beauties. I upgraded my ampliphication to the Anthem MCA5 in August. With this match the full range capabilities shine through. I find my Velodyne F1600 sub is needed only for movies. |
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[Aug 07, 2000]
josh
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
clarity, soundstage, power handling
Weakness:
none at this time I have wanted to purchase the Studio-100 speakers for years now, but because I am a 19 yr old college student, they have been out of my budget. I have spent the equivalent of hours listening to these speakers in the store, and was finally able to make the purchase this past weekend. In addition to the 100's, I bought the Studio-CC for center, and a pair of Studio-60's for surround (all v.2). The subwoofer I am running currently is an Energy ES-12XL, which is phenomenal. However, when budget allows again, I will probably be upgrading to the Sunfire True Signature sub. There are other priorities before this, though, including a probable Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature 5-channel amp (405wpc x5 @8ohm), and hopefully a Sunfire Theatre Grand MKII Processor. I am currently running the Studio's on a loaner Denon AVR-3300 receiver, taking the place of my Onkyo TX-DS747 which is getting worked on. While the speakers sound incredible, I have heard them play better when more power is available...thus the reason for the Sunfire amp. I can't wait until I can scrounge up another $3800 for amp & Monster Cable. I will feel much safer driving these speakers at high output with adequate power. Look around for prices. I paid $1800 for the v2 100's in black, and $1080 for the 60's in black. The CC lists for $500. I highly recommend an audition. Similar Products Used: Paradigm Monitor 9's, Mini-Monitors, & CC-350 Center Channel |
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[Apr 24, 2000]
Stephen Jennings
Audiophile
Strength:
Seamless complement of highs and lows.
Weakness:
absolutely nothing Are there better speakers at this price? How about a better question. Are there better speakers at 4 times this price? I would be hard pressed to find them. Some speakers are great with bass but compromise the high notes and midrange and vice-versa. These speakers are about as complete as they come. I can't imagine having a sub-woofer with these. Closing my eyes, the soundstage is limitless. They are even better with DVD movies. If you have a budget of $1800, you can't possibly do better. Similar Products Used: B&W DM610i |
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[Apr 19, 2000]
cameron
Audiophile
Strength:
CLEAN, SOUND GREAT, ACCURATE
Weakness:
NONE I WAS IN THE MARKET FOR HI-END SPEAKERS. I LISTENED TO EVERYTHING THAT I COULD. DEFINITIVE TECH HAD MORE BASS BUT SOUNDED UNREAL. KLIPSE, PARDON THE SPELLING, SOUNDED DEEP BUT LACKED A GOOD SOUND FLOW(SOMETHING MISSING), THE B&W SOUNDED CRISP BUT WAY OVERPRICED. cERWIN VEGA IS JUST LOUD. I ALSO OWNED JBL100T3 AND THEY LACKED LOW BASS. THERE IS NO ONE SPEAKER THAT WILL MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY. TASTE DIFFER. BUT TO THE REMARK ON 10/30/99 EITHER PARADIGM DID NOT CHECK WIRING OR THE AUDIOPHILE DID NOT PUT JUMPERS ON BINDING POST IF NOT BIAMPING. YOU CAN MISS WIRE THE SPEAKER. BUT IT IS THE USER WHO HOOKS IT UP. THEY ARE GREAT SPEAKERS! Similar Products Used: B&W N802, KLISPE, CERWIN VEGA, DEFINITIVE TECH. BP3000, |
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[Mar 09, 2000]
Bob Transi
Audiophile
Strength:
Sound, sound, and more sound. They have it all in the price range.
Weakness:
Grill quality not up to the rest of the speaker No better speaker in the sub 6K price, and better than a few above that price! They crush silly two way monitor speakers most people buy. Anyone who says they lack base is in need of a real amp. These are not speakers to hook up to cheap electronics: translated, no recievers need apply. They are large speakers, though efficient, they need real current and a high damping factor. Nothing below a Rotel RB991 should be connected and better stuff will make them sing. Good speakers tend to reveal the weakness of all your other products, and this is many peoples first venture into real speakers, thus making their Sony reciever sound bad and the speakers sound compressed, flat, harsh, and lacking in depth. Buy them, love them. Similar Products Used: BnW, Polk, AR, Snell, and others |
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[Feb 21, 2000]
Mark M
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Great depth, soundstage and imaging. Incredible bass.
Weakness:
Can be a little bright if not paired with proper amplifier. All I can say, is that this is an incredible speaker in this price class. The V2 even seems to have better bass response than the V1. As for Steve's comment on "weak bass"...get real. This speaker has better bass response than any speaker in its category. Audio Magazine said it borders on phenomenal. It has at least a 108db output level at 20hz. Part of the problem may be you are using a modest powered receiver to drive them. Although these speakers are relatively efficient, you still need decent amplification to really make them perform. I also agree on the break in period...It takes at least 2-3 months to break them in. Similar Products Used: B&W, PSB, Aerials, DT, Mirage |
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[Feb 23, 2000]
Paul S
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Bass,Mids
Weakness:
Tad bright For the price these speakers are an excellent value. I dont think these speakers are too forward at all. If you think these speakers are forward try the B&w line. The only complaint I have with these speakers is that the tweeter can be harsh with paired with a cheap amplifier. |
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[Feb 21, 2000]
Steve H
Audiophile
Strength:
Good build, attractive..
Weakness:
Tad bright..weak bass Well, I heard such great reviews on these and I was unhappy with my Polk Audio RT2000's so I decided to upgrade my whole setup. I bought Studio 40's for the rear, which I love! I bought the Studio CC center (which I love!) and I already had a sunfire MKII sub (I love this sub and it is awesome for mUSIC and movies if set up right!) Then I went for a 6 hour drive to Canada to get a deal on some 100's. I went to Live Wire audio just over the detroit border. They had a pair of 100's v2, in cherry wood. I listened to some jazz, and a bit of a DVD..I did not see what they were running these with but they sounded great at the store. I was told they were broken in and that they were the last pair they had, even though when I called I was told they were in stock, new. Anyway, I took them for $1650 US. A deal I thought..I get them home and unpacked. When the salesman packaged these back up he took off the gold feet..when I went top ut them back on I noticed he stripped one of the feet so it would not stay in...I rigged it. I bi-wired them to my Pioneer Elite 29 and popped in a CD..They sounded good with the sub, a bit harsh but good. It seemed I had to turn up the volume high to get decent volume out of the speakers. I then turned off the sub and there was amost 0 bass. I repositioned, 2 feet from teh wall, toed in slightly..still, the bass sucked! if I cranked it loud, there was a little more bass but not much. After a couple weeks with these my impressions are not that great. Without a sub they are flat sounding, and a tad bright up top. Im going to try a carver cinema grand amo to see if that brings out the bass a bit. Also, I have teh bass on my Elite maxed out a +6! I never had to do that! Even at +6 teh bass is weak..I wanted to love these speakers but I guess the reviews that are so great were written by some who have not had many other speakers! I thought these were defective, they are not. They are bi-wired with monster z2 $200 cables correctly. I could have gotten 40's all the way around and saved about a grand. These will probably be sold...or returned if I have the time to drive 6 hours... Similar Products Used: Polk, Infinity, Mirage |
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[Feb 22, 2000]
Trance
Audiophile
Strength:
Bass, Mids, High, Dynamic, The best of the best
Weakness:
none period. I have been testing speakers for almost two years. I don't think there's a speaker I have not heard in NY City. I've heard speakers costing over 40k pair ( JM Lab Utopia ) and the studio 100' is clearly one of the best speakers in the market. It is worth much more considering that it killed other speakers costing 4 times as much. Mids were clear, neutral, and warm, the highs were sweat, and airy. I heard smoother highs with other speaker that uses liquid dome tweeters but they didn't have the detail that the studio 100 had. I can't imagine anyone who hasn't heard the bass in these speakers. NO SUB required, I repeat no sub required on these babies. These speakers can play loud and clean with heavy non-distorted bass that can be felt as much as heard. I would still get a SUB for Dolby 5.1 in order to reduce the pressure on the Studio 100, plus a good sub will always give that extra low frequency that most speakers aren't programmed to do. If you can't feel the bass then either your speakers are damaged or your amplifier is weak period. There are other great speakers out there but you will have to pay 4 times as much to get a fair comparison. Paradigm has really created a top high-end speaker that is affordable for anyone who is serious about sound. I did not buy these speakers because my living space is too small, instead I took the Studio 80 which sounds very close to the 100'. If you're in the market for high-end speakers and you have at lease 450 sqf of space then check these speakers out. These speakers will sound poor if you do not place them properly away from the wall and you must have a large living room in order for the sound waves to move. The paradigm studio 80' that I bought sounds much better in the store than my home due to the large room they were placed in. Warning, these speakers like my Studio 80 take over a month in order to properly break in. I almost returned my speakers out of disappointment but after 3 weeks of playing they started to break-in and the magic could finally be heard. Similar Products Used: Egglestone, JM Labs, All B&W, You name it I heard it. |