AR.com Review!!!!!!!!!!!!

[speakeroligist_38]

Ok people I have decided to do a review of my new AR.coms that I purchased from Ed Frias himself. He designed, tested, balanced, and assembled the pair. Now before I get down to my findings I would first like to mention a few things. My goal has been to find and own a set of speakers that is as good if not better than the Paradigm Studio 20's .v.3's. This is because I consider the Studio 20's to be a top notch performer. However, I just could not afford the $800 for a set of the Studio 20's. It is a must that I mention that I do not care for tower speakers. IMHO, the Studio 20's outperform the rest of the Studio line. Now I know many of you will disagree but this is my opinion nothing more nothing less. I have auditioned many standmounted speakers and really like the Studio 20's as well as the B&W 602s3's, Paradigm Monitor 3's v.3, and the Polk Rti6's to name a few. I even listened to the Tyler Acoustics Freedom F2's which cost about the same as the Studio 20's but are somewhat better especially the cabinets. In fact, the best sounding speakers I have heard to date are the Linbrook Signature Monitors that have a MTM design and are just awesome. But, the Linbrooks cost $2800 a pair...........LOL yeah right. Definately out of my price range but IMHO are worth every penny of it!!! Please keep in mind that I am by no means an expert and the comparisons between the Studio 20's and my AR.coms are based solely on memory. However, I have done extensive listening to just about everything Paradigm makes with the exception of the Signature series. Therefore, I believe my conclusions are at least somewhat valid. This review is being done solely to help those who have found themselves in a similiar situation as I or for those close to making a descision and are ambivalent. Ok time for the review. I am gonna skip the usual stuff that I already have mentioned when announcing that my AR.coms arrived a few days ago. You know stuff like how they were packaged and etc. Lets just say Ed Frias knows what he is doing. Time for the gravy!!!!!!!! Ok first thing I noticed about the AR's is that they are solid, heavy, and look rather attractive with the real wood veneer finish really brings a smile to my face everytime I look at them. Now anybody that knows the Paradigm Studio 20's know that they image like nobodys business. The studios have excellent low frequency extension and are quite articulate just like I prefer speakers to sound. The tweeter is very open and extended and does not sound rolled off. At times, the sound can he a little on the bright side but for the most part very well controlled. The Studios also have a rather large soundstage that is very impressive for its size. Now I have to admit my Titans v.3's are actually beginning to open up as well. It is about time because I bought them about 6 months ago. Right out of the box the AR.coms slammed the Titans. No comparison at all. I also am very familiar with the Paradigm Minis and the Monitor 3's as well. Once again, no comparison. The Minis sound blanketed and rolled off on the upper registers and have a bloated bassy sound to them. The Monitor 3's have a very large soundstage but are not near as articulate as my AR.coms. The Minis and the Monitor 3's have a boxy sound to them. IMHO, my Titans sound almost as good as the Minis. My AR.coms are not as efficient as the Studio 20's. But, the AR.coms do more by adding a life-like presence to them. The sound disappears and if I did not know better would believe the artist was performing right here in my living room. I have read all about how speakers disappear but never until now had the priviledge to experience it first hand. The AR.coms sound so clear and natural w/o any brighness or harshness. As mentioned, the Studio 20's can at times sound a little bit on the bright side of things. The Ar.coms image as well if not better than the Studio 20's. It seems that the AR.coms place instruments better and as a result sound more "real". The Ar.coms soundstage is also impressive for its size but it is too close a call for me to say they have a larger soundstage than the Studio 20's. I also think the Studio 20's have a bit better low frequency extension and are a little more articulate in the midbass region. This could be because the Studio 20's are more efficient and as such do not require as much power as the AR.coms do. Or, the AR.coms may need a little more time to open up more. Only time will tell. The midrange is where the AR.coms shine. The AR's sound so lively but never out of balance whereas the Studio 20's can sound a little bit forward in the midrange region. Over all, I am very happy with my purchase of the AR.coms and do prefer them to the Studio 20's by a rather significant margain especially since the AR.coms can be had for $600 if you get them from Ed Frias himself. You will be hard pressed to buy a new pair of Studio 20's for $600. So my hat goes off to Ed Frias because he is a true gentleman and is very talented in that he knows how to design a speaker that offers great bang for the buck. In time, I plan to get a set of his T20's which are of the MTM design and move the AR.coms to rear duties. I also will have the need to move up to better amplification. My yammie is nice but not enough juice for my new speakers. I also would like to mention that the AR.coms blend very well with my Paradigm PS1000 v.4 10" powered sub. Well, thank you Kex for helping me to learn more about the AR.coms and to Ed Frias for answering each and every question/concern I had before buying my AR.coms. Ed earned my business and I plan to buy from him again. Have a great evening.
Phil