great speaker for the $$

bottom end

This is a follow up review as promised. I now have owned these speakers for a few months and have ran them through their paces. So what did I find?...well it's time for me to move on to the 100's. The main reason is that I listen to 2 channel only (no HT) and have no sub and really miss the bottom end in my rock and blues cd's. If one was into Jazz or classical music only than no question these speakers would do wonders. But for me they seem to bottom out way to quickly. I’m sure with a good sub this would be an non-issue but as stated I’m 2 channel only…so off to the 100’s!!!!

Similar Products Used:

see former review

Accurate Sound Reproduction

Not much, able to see the white acoustical insulation through the tuned port

I was able to borrow these speakers for the weekend from the only dealer in my city.
To start off, I was using a Marantz SR7000 to power them while listening to (sort of watching) movies and using an active 10 inch, 100 watt sub. The sound was very good and seeing as how I don't have a matching center channel, the receiver was in phantom mode. I'm amazed by how you could look at the speakers and fool yourself into thinking that the sound is coming from elsewhere. I tried 2 channel music and found the sound OK. The Marantz started to compress the sound quickly at louder volumes (100db) so I hooked them up to my 2 channel system.
Using a single Bryston 4B and Bryston Pre and CAL CD player with Ixos 6006 bi-wire speaker cables, the sound was...well wonderful.
The Paradigms are able to handle a steady peaking sound pressure of 114db which means they are able to handle a lot of clean current.
They produce decent bass from the 170mm bass driver which can handle more current than the bass/midrange driver, discovered while listening to Robert Cray's Shame and a Sin CD, tracks 1 and 6.
If you are looking to produce bar/club volume bass, I suggest you look to something else such as a powered sub or some beefy Cerwin Vegas.
I find these speakers are ideal for all types of music except metal.

Enjoy these speakers with hi-quality audio equipment and well recorded music and you will not feel at all guilty about spending the retail price on them.
Remember to "break them in" for at least 50 to 80 hours.

Similar Products Used:

Energy, PSB, Athena, Martin Logan

Clean audioband at all areas, good dynamnics, good bass for speaker in its class.

I don't think you could really call anything about this speaker a "Weakness".

This speaker is a clean,clear,neutral speaker that provides a great sound at a great price. Comparing it to the other speakers above I had found it to be the best balance for me. Some people say it does not have great depth might want to spend a little more time on placement and cable. In this speaker they both make a difference.

here is my take on the other products

B&W - Good speaker, Midrange is clean but because it's set father back (laid-back) than the highs. That effect was due to such a high crossover point (Dome speakers have better dispersion than cone driver). Some music sessions did not take well to this and others created a great sense of depth and space. Resolution is a little less than the Studio/60.

Monitor Audio Silver 5 - A little to foward for my taste and not quite as dynamic. Even though its not quite fair in size,it is in price. It is still a great product and it certainly wins the best looking product in this group.

PSB - These guys also have the ever so important midrange down. The tweeter could be a little better but still good. What I did not like was impedance needs, and not the best matching for HT.

NHT - I was not quite sure what to think. Sometimes it was right and other it was wrong. Give it a listen anyway. That FIG is just to weird for me anyway.

Buy a Servo-15 if it's if bass is not enough. That sub will sing as well as rattle.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 603 Series 2, NHT 2.5i, PSB Stratus Bronze and Silver-i, Monitor Audio Silver 5

Flat responcewith good lows, great image, not to bright, look great.

Non so far

For the past 7 years I have been using Cerwin vega VS100. After upgrading to my Denon a couple of years ago I soon realized how bad my speakers were. The vega's had great base but that was it. After listing to all the typical speaker brand this price range there was no other choice. These speakers are excellent in all areas including low frequencies. I actually had to turn the cut off on my sub down. Its hard to believe the speakers can sound much better after being broken in.

Price for sure, sound is amazing!

NOT

My second post after my break in piriod......aprox 100 hours so let me tell ya. If you are looking for speakers in this price range and have good components to drive em......get your ass into a shop and listen to them. They sound better than some 2500 dollar pairs I listened to. Keeping in mind I only use them for music in a good sound room they sure make a good recording sound awesome and a bad one sound well......bad. Bi wire the dudes with some really good cable, I went with some Kimber, these are set up nice for bi wiring so go for it. Tried some other amps and recievers with them and I have to tell you a lousy power supply kills these bad boys. I have a 6 channel Rotel and have 4 channels bridged so they only get 120 watts but due to the quality of the Rotel they rock and can handle all the power I can hand them.
I will stop now, if this is your price range you have to listen to these but you have to have a quality power supply...you know what I mean. Party speakers for sure!!
Way to go Canada!
Waazzuuuuuup!

Similar Products Used:

Lots of overpriced B&Ws, Magnipan MMGs .

Superb imaging, decent bass extension

Bass a little weak, cabinet noises can be hear at high volumes (especially on low frequency test tones). Note: I used the laminate version, the wood side panels on the veneer version might solve this to some degree

Despite this speakers much larger size, the bass is nowhere near as good as the active 450's. Since they cost less than the active 450's this is to be expected. What really surprised me about this speaker though is it's how smooth the treble was. The treble was slightly better on the studio 60v2 than the active 450, and the studio 20 v1 and the 450 LCR were not even close. Although I have never owned any studio 60 v1's, I thought that they were nowhere near as good as the v2's comparing them side by side in a store on the same equipment. One thing the I really like about this speaker is that it sounds very good even on a cheap receiver. The value of this speaker is outstanding, however since the paradigm studio 40's and active's represent an even better value, I can only rate their value as a 4. The quality of the bass, not being quite as good as the studio 40s, or the active 450's leaves me rating them a 4 overall as well

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm reference studio 20 v1, active 450LR, (passive) 450 LCR.

Superb imaging, decent bass extension

Bass a little weak, cabinet noises can be hear at high volumes (especially on low frequency test tones). Note: I used the laminate version, the wood side panels on the veneer version might solve this to some degree

Despite this speakers much larger size, the bass is nowhere near as good as the active 450's. Since they cost less than the active 450's this is to be expected. What really surprised me about this speaker though is it's how smooth the treble was. The treble was slightly better on the studio 60v2 than the active 450, and the studio 20 v1 and the 450 LCR were not even close. Although I have never owned any studio 60 v1's, I thought that they were nowhere near as good as the v2's comparing them side by side in a store on the same equipment. One thing the I really like about this speaker is that it sounds very good even on a cheap receiver. The value of this speaker is outstanding, however since the paradigm studio 40's and active's represent an even better value, I can only rate their value as a 4. The quality of the bass, not being quite as good as the studio 40s, or the active 450's leaves me rating them a 4 overall as well

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm reference studio 20 v1, active 450LR, (passive) 450 LCR.

Superb imaging, decent bass extension

Bass a little weak, cabinet noises can be hear at high volumes (especially on low frequency test tones). Note: I used the laminate version, the wood side panels on the veneer version might solve this to some degree

Despite this speakers much larger size, the bass is nowhere near as good as the active 450's. Since they cost less than the active 450's this is to be expected. What really surprised me about this speaker though is it's how smooth the treble was. The treble was slightly better on the studio 60v2 than the active 450, and the studio 20 v1 and the 450 LCR were not even close. Although I have never owned any studio 60 v1's, I thought that they were nowhere near as good as the v2's comparing them side by side in a store on the same equipment. One thing the I really like about this speaker is that it sounds very good even on a cheap receiver. The value of this speaker is outstanding, however since the paradigm studio 40's and active's represent an even better value, I can only rate their value as a 4. The quality of the bass, not being quite as good as the studio 40s, or the active 450's leaves me rating them a 4 overall as well

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm reference studio 20 v1, active 450LR, (passive) 450 LCR.

Power handling, loudness capability, sound quality, seamless match to CC center and ADPs, outstanding value

In the context of a HT system I can find little to criticize, for music they do well within the price range, but then there are many choices in this price range and it depends on what your priorities are for music playback

I bought the 60 v2s (and the matching CC/ADPs) almost exclusively for a home theater system. Prior to this setup I was using a pair of Thiel CS7.2s L/R and a MCS1 for my center, and a pair of B&W Matrix 805s for surrounds. A nice system for both HT and music. But when I began to look at options for upgrading the amp that drives my CS7.2s (priority on music) it became obvious that trying to match amplification for the center and surrounds was going to become a very expensive proposition. Secondly, I wanted to replace the 805s with Thiel's SCS3 or Powerpoint, either option cost ~2600. Against the advice of all the dealers I talked to (why would they suggest I go with less) I sold my 805s, my Bryston 5B ST, and my Thiel MCS1. I bought the Paradigms, and a B&K Reference 7250 5 channel amp, all for a net of 1800.

My current HT setup:

Meridian 561 pre/pro
B&K Reference 7250 Series II
Sony DVP7700
Sony VPL W400Q LCD projector w/92" screen
M&K THX350 Subwoofer
Paradigm 60v2, Ref CC, Ref ADPs
Transparent Super Interconnects L/C/R
Biwired Cardas Crosslink for L/C/R

Truth be known I did expect a downgrade in HT performance. To my surprise I find the above system to have more snap and punch, it can play louder (and cleaner), and has a more envoloping surround effect then my previous HT setup, and at a fraction of the cost. I think the Paradigms contribute to this a great deal. They are relatively neutral, have good resolution, excellent power handling and loudness capability, and are satisfying to listen to for music (BTW the Thiels are in another league altogether regarding music playback - yeah they should be for almost 9 times the cost of the 60v2s). I also think that the B&K contributes in this respect, an excellent match for the Paradigms.

Overall the Paradigms are a no brainer for anyone looking to put together an excellent and affordable HT system that's also capable of satisfying music playback. And the Paradigms do respond to good components and power, so they will allow room for growth elsewhere, especially if your using a moderately priced receiver now.

Value 5+++
Music 4
HT 5+

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM620/640, Matrix 805/804/802, Thiel MCS1 & CS7.2

Outstanding sound, resolution

None whatsoever. But you may need a seperate sub if your listening room is large

Recently upgraded a pair of OLD OLD advents with a pair of Celestion E1s which I thought were pretty good at the time. However, upon listening to the Paradigms in a shop about a month later however, it was stunning how much better it sounded (it also costs 3 times as much). I can begin to tell you in how MANY was everything sounds so much better, especially music. I used to play around with the 5 stereo and matrix modes on my receiver but now its simply stereo mode all the way. If you're going to spend money, spend it on speakers, and if you're spending money on speakers buy PARADIGM! Hands down the best speaker at this price range.

Similar Products Used:

Celestion E1 bookshelf, old old Advents