Paradigm Reference Studio 20s - alternatives?

I'm looking to purchase a new speaker setup, primarily for 2-ch music, and secondarily for 5.1 HT. Last week I listened to a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 20s, which have a list price of $1300. I tried a wide range of music, and they performed very well for almost everything - beautifully clear sound on acoustic guitar, quite punchy on dance music etc - but a little dissapointing on the most important: heavy rock - specifically Led Zep and Muse. Just seemed to miss alot of the power on the guitars. This could be the quality of the recordings, so i'm going back with better versions tomorrow to retest, but in the meantime I wanted to ask if there were any alternatives worth considering in a similar price bracket? Bear in mind I'll also need a corresponding center speaker when I buy, of similar power. Receiver is an Onkyo 608.

Thanks in advance!

You might give the Klipsch Reference series a listen, not sure which model would come in around $1300.00. The prices are on Klipsch's website or crutchfield.com

The Monitor Audio Silver RS-6's could be another option.

Have you thought about Paradigm's floorstanding Monitor models? Those sacrifice some of the Studio series' refinement for a more aggressive sound. You might like those better.

Thanks guys - going in today to retest the Paradigms with better recordings, alongside your suggestions

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Paradigm Studio 20s sounded better with the remastered Zep recordings, but also listened to the Monitor Audios, and then the Paradigm Monitor 7 floorstanders. Now being the amateur I am I've never actually listened to floorstanders, and the extra punch they had over both the bookshelves was exactly what I'd wanted. Unfortunately, as Woodchifer suggested, they lose alot of the clarity and refinement of Studios and Monitor Audios. I decided that, taking into account longevity, I'd prepared to increase budget and try and get the best of both worlds! Planning on testing the Paradigm Studio 60s next week, but any other suggestions at same budget? (~$2k)

I don't know as much about speakers as the rest of the folks giving you advice, but since you're looking at the same speakers that I looked at a couple of years ago and we seem to have similar taste in music, you should wander through this thread and this thread for my adventures in speaker shopping.

In the end, nothing that we listened to topped the Studio 60s for us. We've had them for 1.5 years now and I still love them. They can handle any music that I send their way (folk, blues, rock, broadway) and they sound good at all volumes. We still need to upgrade the rest of the system, but the speakers sound so great with what we have that I haven't been in a huge hurry to do so.

If you're planning on listening to the Studio 60s be prepared to fall in love...but, of course, I'm biased. :)

The Studio 60's are a very nice speaker, but if the price tag scares you a little, Monitor Audio does make some nice floorstanders like the Silver RX series. You didn't say which MA speaker that you listened to.

The 60's would be a great choice.

For < $2000 I'd look at Silverline Preludes or Totem Staffs

Totem is another good suggestion.

You might want to consider some PSB's or Salk Song towers

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMT6

http://www.salksound.com/songtower%20pricing.htm

So far all good choices.

I think PSBs and Salk would be on the top of my list below $2000.

I would also give Dynaudio a listen if you can find a dealer in your area, they have a very punchy and detailed low end that will surprise you for their size and they can play about any type of music you throw at them with ease. But I am not sure you are going to find a floorstander in the price range you are looking for since they are pricey speakers.

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Originally Posted by eisforelectronic

For < $2000 I'd look at Silverline Preludes or Totem Staffs

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The Danes, Silverlines, and Salk are great suggestions, capable of strong performance under the circumstances for which you've allowed. I have found the Totems to lack punch or the ability to truly displace air on more strident material. I believe I'm not alone in this observation, neither on this board nor among reviewers, and I doubt the situation would be helped with amplification being provided by a receiver.

Thanks all again for your suggestions. Sounds like I have a good list of 3 or 4 alts to test alongside the Studio 60s (provided my local dealers have them). Will post feedback!

I believe one can probably get a Dynaudio floorstander in the DM series. I'm going to have to go hear how good those are.

I also have the Studio 60s as part of the living room HT along with the Studio Center, Atoms (rear) and Velodyne sub. Sounds great for 2 ch and multichannel for movies.

Just to wrap this one up, I eventually went for the Studio 60s and built the other channels around that. They sound absolutely fantastic! Thanks everyone for your help.

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Originally Posted by pedro78

Just to wrap this one up, I eventually went for the Studio 60s and built the other channels around that. They sound absolutely fantastic! Thanks everyone for your help.

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YAY! I win! LOL! Take that you Audiophiles! :lol: (FA runs a victory lap).

Seriously, great choice. I hope that you love your Studio 60s as much as I love mine. Enjoy the tunes. :)

I would also suggest you try and listen to Dynaudio Excite X12s which list at $1200, and get a decent sub if you can.

If you can stretch the budget to closer to $1600, theX16s are getting awesome reviews.

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/25569/21107

I recently heard the $2800 X32s driven by a $400 NAD Integrated and $300 CDP and was completely amazed at the sound it put out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pedro78

Just to wrap this one up, I eventually went for the Studio 60s and built the other channels around that. They sound absolutely fantastic! Thanks everyone for your help.

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congrats....thats a fine speaker.

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Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn

YAY! I win! LOL! Take that you Audiophiles! :lol: (FA runs a victory lap).

Seriously, great choice. I hope that you love your Studio 60s as much as I love mine. Enjoy the tunes. :)

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INDEED, your response is most puzzling. Are you
implying that PARADIGMS are somehow non-audioholic?
TRUE the one time I WASTED a few hours that I won't get back,
the PARADIGMS (2 grand a pair) sounded like your average garbage truck, but it would seem that, since audiophiles love such things as
1934 SET tube gear and 1950's LONG PLAYING STEREOPHONIC
record albums that they would louuuuv something that sounded
like that really big robot on the last TERMINATOR MOVIE.
haven't felt this way since the old warp drive broke down in
the wrong side of town.:1:

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Originally Posted by pixelthis

INDEED, your response is most puzzling. Are you
implying that PARADIGMS are somehow non-audioholic?

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No, I was implying that I know the least of anyone in this thread and pedro78 bought the speaker that I recommended. It was a joke.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelthis

TRUE the one time I WASTED a few hours that I won't get back,
the PARADIGMS (2 grand a pair) sounded like your average garbage truck,

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You must have some nice sounding garbage trucks where you live.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pedro78

Just to wrap this one up, I eventually went for the Studio 60s and built the other channels around that. They sound absolutely fantastic! Thanks everyone for your help.

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Awesome! Glad you're enjoying your setup. I bought my first pair of Studio 40s about 10 years ago, and gradually added the matching center and surround speakers over the following two years. Great performance for the money, and it's still my primary system.

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Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn

You must have some nice sounding garbage trucks where you live.

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:ihih:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn

No, I was implying that I know the least of anyone in this thread and pedro78 bought the speaker that I recommended. It was a joke.



You must have some nice sounding garbage trucks where you live.

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ACTUALLY I was being mean, never meant to insult garbage
trucks like that.
See the Axiom of PARADIGM below.:1:

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Originally Posted by pixelthis

ACTUALLY I was being mean,

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Why? :Yawn:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ForeverAutumn

Why? :Yawn:

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YOU GET blamed enough you might as well get some mileage
outta it.
REALLY sorry I insulted the garbage trucks, tho, nobody
deserves being compared to the CANADIAN MENACE.
the Canadians can build as many speakers as they want, they might get one right sooner or later.
KINDA sad, really, when the motto for your national speaker industry is that you're better than the CHINESE.:1:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelthis

YOU GET blamed enough you might as well get some mileage
outta it.
REALLY sorry I insulted the garbage trucks, tho, nobody
deserves being compared to the CANADIAN MENACE.
the Canadians can build as many speakers as they want, they might get one right sooner or later.
KINDA sad, really, when the motto for your national speaker industry is that you're better than the CHINESE.:1:

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So now you have heard every CA made speaker and have deemed that they all suck?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pedro78

Just to wrap this one up, I eventually went for the Studio 60s and built the other channels around that. They sound absolutely fantastic! Thanks everyone for your help.

---

Ugh, just saw you went with more Paradigms :-( I would have gone for one of these 5 choices choices brought up in this thread (Dynaudio, PSB, Totem, Silverline and Salk.) We must have very different ears. At least you found something you like but I would have been interested to see how you thought some other options fared in your room against the Studio's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hyfi

so now you have heard every ca made speaker and have deemed that they all suck?

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yes.:1:

There is nothing wrong with CANADIAN speakers if you can't do any better, really, and I had a great experience with some top of the line Axioms. JUST trying to get a rise out of some who think PARADIGM
is the end all be all.
I have an old set of B&W loudspeakers built by people who care.
And got conned into buying a complete set of Klipsch when
speaker upgrade time came around, and the Chinese made
speakers were not of the same q as the ones displayed in the store. BETTER than the PARADIGMS I auditioned, tho.
I PAID over three grand for these, and traded even to get my B&W
set back. A VERY MUSICAL SPEAKER that re-ignited my
love for music when I bought them the first time
There is just so much stuff out there that costs just as much as
really good stuff, so why not buy the good stuff?
Not that that is so easy to do, what with the dismantling of
western civ going on. Sure I have my share of CHINESE
equipment, but the people doing this have no love for the audiophile. CAN'T we have just a few items made by craftsmen
who care that cost less than a MALIBU beach house?
Really. The only hope we have are Chinese audiophiles.:1:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pedro78

Just to wrap this one up, I eventually went for the Studio 60s and built the other channels around that. They sound absolutely fantastic! Thanks everyone for your help.

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Hey Pedro. Enjoy your Paradigms. And if you're still even around these parts, ignore Pix. Apparently he's off his meds again. :crazy:

Good choice on the Paradigms! I tried some of the others listed. Meh. Paradigms sounded better and cost less.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pixelthis

I have an old set of B&W loudspeakers built by people who care.

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This just reeks of ethnocentrism.

I just registered to say that this Pixel**** guy is a big idiot. Way to poo-poo on a great thread, knucklehead.

I'm sure you gonna say you are entitled to express your opinion but the way you expressed it clearly shows you wanted to trash this thread.

I found this thread because I'm shopping and am interested in the speakers. It was a joy to read the thread until your posts, which add nothing to the thread.

Forums don't need idiots like you.

Oh, by the way, what's with that retarded way of yours of delimiting your text?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Astronaught

I just registered to say that this Pixel**** guy is a big idiot. Way to poo-poo on a great thread, knucklehead.

I'm sure you gonna say you are entitled to express your opinion but the way you expressed it clearly shows you wanted to trash this thread.

I found this thread because I'm shopping and am interested in the speakers. It was a joy to read the thread until your posts, which add nothing to the thread.

Forums don't need idiots like you.

Oh, by the way, what's with that retarded way of yours of delimiting your text?

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Welcome to AudioReview! Like family you cannot pick only the members you want. Oh and speaking of sensitivity let us not use the R word. Retarded is a word that is hurtful to some.

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Originally Posted by Astronaught

I found this thread because I'm shopping and am interested in the speakers.

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Hi Astronaught. Welcome to AudioReview. I hope that you won't let the opinions of one person influence your opinion of the whole site. There is a lot of great information here from very knowledgable, friendly people. Please stick around and feel free to ask any questions that you have. Most people here are eager to help you.

Cheers!
FA