Couldn't resist the Paradigm Phantoms for $198/pr...
...well, we bought some new bedroom furniture (friggin' 'bout time!) and that didn't leave much room for the semi-vintage Boston A-100s I've been using. I needed a small floor-stander, or a tiny bookshelf with stands. Non-critical listening :^)
I was thinking about the Totem Arros (maybe used), but @ $1200ish new, quite expensive for a sporadically-used system. They're good in a boom-and-sizzle kinda way, but really not my thing. Also thought about the Silverline Minuets, but I would need stands and that would come in close to $1K. Uuggh...
To make a long story longer, 6th Ave. Electronics was selling a bunch of gear at 33% normal price... they had the Def Tec 6B for $250, and the Phantoms for $199. The DTs were covered in a wrap-around sock, and I have a cat. The Paradigms fit the bill aesthetically, as well as price.
I only have about 45 minutes on 'em, but they sound pretty good. Tweeter sounds very reminiscient of the Studio 60s I used to have, the twin 5.75" (?) woofers sound a bit wooly. We'll see if that clears up with some run-in.
The binding posts are a bit cheesy, and so is the finish...
Listening to some Patricia Barber (I know, I know... but a clean recording with some fairly deep bass) and they're OK... about what I expected.
We'll see if they get a bit better...
Yeah, guys... I can't really...
...move 'em around too much, they're probably sit where they are - flanking my computer desk.
I have a feeling they will get a bit better, and if that doesn't work, plugging the ports help. I'll put on that same Jack Johnson song on in a few days and see if the muddiness is as noticeable as hour one.
The White Stripes' "Elephant" was pretty much unlistenable with the Revel M20s I used to have, but that CD is much more palatable with these 1/11th the cost Paradigms. I think they'll fit the bill with a bit on run-in and tinkering.
Tell ya what... they sound even better knowing I didn't didn't drain the bank of $1200 ;*)