Paradigm Monitor series questions...

[3db]

and I was fairly impressed. Then I stumbled across PSB Image series and never looked back. Generally, I found the PSB's to have a tighter and deeper bass than the Monitor series and I found the tweeters on the Image series not be as bright as the Monitor series. They both have awesome midrange and image well

[IRG]

and I was fairly impressed. Then I stumbled across PSB Image series and never looked back. Generally, I found the PSB's to have a tighter and deeper bass than the Monitor series and I found the tweeters on the Image series not be as bright as the Monitor series. They both have awesome midrange and image well

Thanks dB. My other dealer sells PSB, and so I will be listening there too. In addition, that dealer also sells Monitor Audio, Boston Acoustics and Klipsch. They seem to prefer the Monitor Audio overall, but everyone has their preferences. The Paradigm dealer also sells Energy (what I have now) and Revell (very nice, but pricey) and Definitive Technology (no interest for me).

You mentioned the tweeter on the PSB as not as bright. If anything, I would prefer something a little more sizzle than my Energy. So I may actually prefer the Paradigm. My PSB dealer also felt that they two brands (Paradigm and PSB) were pretty similar, and they have been selling PSB for quite a while. I wish I have a B&W dealer locally. The closest one is about an hour or so away, and I am interested in the 602 S3. May have to make a trip to hear them too.

[thepogue]

B&W would not impress you...in fact they tend to be layed back...smooth as butter...well worth a listen but not as all sizzling...

Good Luck! Peace, Pogue

Thanks dB. My other dealer sells PSB, and so I will be listening there too. In addition, that dealer also sells Monitor Audio, Boston Acoustics and Klipsch. They seem to prefer the Monitor Audio overall, but everyone has their preferences. The Paradigm dealer also sells Energy (what I have now) and Revell (very nice, but pricey) and Definitive Technology (no interest for me).

You mentioned the tweeter on the PSB as not as bright. If anything, I would prefer something a little more sizzle than my Energy. So I may actually prefer the Paradigm. My PSB dealer also felt that they two brands (Paradigm and PSB) were pretty similar, and they have been selling PSB for quite a while. I wish I have a B&W dealer locally. The closest one is about an hour or so away, and I am interested in the 602 S3. May have to make a trip to hear them too.

[kexodusc]

My own preference in the Monitor line is for the Monitor 5's or the Mini Monitors...If a sub is DEFINITELY in the mix, cross it over at 60 Hz or below and don't look back...The larger ones tend to have some cabinet resonance issues in my opinion...
PSB and Energy have comparable products in my opinion that have just a slightly different flavour than the Monitors, not better or worse, just different. If you're looking for a bit more sizzle a the top, the Monitor line is as much sizzle as I'd care to try without it becoming harsh...

For home theater use more than 2-channel stereo use, I see no reason to spend more money on the larger speakers (unless your room is huge)...the best value would be in the Mini Monitors and as good a sub as you can buy...
Good luck.

[cam]

My own preference in the Monitor line is for the Monitor 5's or the Mini Monitors...If a sub is DEFINITELY in the mix, cross it over at 60 Hz or below and don't look back...The larger ones tend to have some cabinet resonance issues in my opinion...
PSB and Energy have comparable products in my opinion that have just a slightly different flavour than the Monitors, not better or worse, just different. If you're looking for a bit more sizzle a the top, the Monitor line is as much sizzle as I'd care to try without it becoming harsh...

For home theater use more than 2-channel stereo use, I see no reason to spend more money on the larger speakers (unless your room is huge)...the best value would be in the Mini Monitors and as good a sub as you can buy...
Good luck.

Hey Kex, I agree that the mini's coupled together with a capable sub would meet most peoples needs. The mini's are a very good recommendation. You say your preference would be for the 5's, I'm just wondering though, have you actually heard them, I know you have the studio 40's so maybe you are biased towards this style of standmount. Both RGA and I would most definetaly recommend the less expensive 3 over the 5. The 3 sounds alot better in everyway (to me) and save you some money as well. Maybe the studio line the 40's are better then the 20's but maybe in the monitor line the 5's are a step back from the 3's. For the most part, I have never heard anyone say anything good about the 5's except you and Wooch and both you guys have the 40's. Hmmmm, I heard the 5's and believe me you, they suck, and I'm not surprised they have sold so poorly.

[Woochifer]

Hey Kex, I agree that the mini's coupled together with a capable sub would meet most peoples needs. The mini's are a very good recommendation. You say your preference would be for the 5's, I'm just wondering though, have you actually heard them, I know you have the studio 40's so maybe you are biased towards this style of standmount. Both RGA and I would most definetaly recommend the less expensive 3 over the 5. The 3 sounds alot better in everyway (to me) and save you some money as well. Maybe the studio line the 40's are better then the 20's but maybe in the monitor line the 5's are a step back from the 3's. For the most part, I have never heard anyone say anything good about the 5's except you and Wooch and both you guys have the 40's. Hmmmm, I heard the 5's and believe me you, they suck, and I'm not surprised they have sold so poorly.

That's interesting because my understanding is that the Monitor 3 is one of the poorest sellers in the Monitor lineup. Generally, I liked the Monitor 5 the best in the Monitor lineup, although the Monitor 3 and 11 are the two models that I have not listened to. In my listenings, the 5 had the best overall balance, with less of the resonance and other liabilities that I picked up from the tower models. Kex and I are not alone in this assessment either, as The Absolute Sound rated it as a best buy on their recommended components list a couple of years ago, and I've seen plenty of positive impressions of the 5s on this and other boards.

[cam]

That's interesting because my understanding is that the Monitor 3 is one of the poorest sellers in the Monitor lineup. Generally, I liked the Monitor 5 the best in the Monitor lineup, although the Monitor 3 and 11 are the two models that I have not listened to. In my listenings, the 5 had the best overall balance, with less of the resonance and other liabilities that I picked up from the tower models. Kex and I are not alone in this assessment either, as The Absolute Sound rated it as a best buy on their recommended components list a couple of years ago, and I've seen plenty of positive impressions of the 5s on this and other boards.

Absolute Sound can rate any product as a best buy, but when total sales are concerned, the 5's sell poorly. And you are right, the 3's don't sell that well also, it seems that the mini's get all the attention. And why not, they do sound good and they are the perfect size, visually, on 22 to 24 inch stands. If you listen to the mini's extensively to the 3's with some material you are familiar with, you will notice that the overall sense of depth and clarity goes to the 3's, and for only $50 more, atleast in my area. Notice the specs between the mini's and the 3's are similar, yet a more dynamic sound can be had with the 3's. I did listen extensively to both and regardless of total sales, the 3's sound better. The 5's sound thin and less dynamic, and I can only assume because they don't sell very many, that alot of people are hearing the same thing I am. Many Paradigm sales people I have dealt with have said the same thing, they have a tough time selling those 5's, and if they were as good as you say, then they would be having a tough time having them in stock.........., or maybe no one is buying them so they don't bother stocking them. Just so no one flames me, if you own the 5's, they are a good speaker, in fact all the monitors are good, (the studios are better in every way), it is just a matter of personal taste in evaluating them in order of better to best. For standmounts 1st - 3's, 2nd - mini's, and 3rd - 5's. For floorstanders you could choose either the 7's, 9's or 11's but for the money, if you would buy anything more then the 7's, your money would be better spent on the studio line. Of course everything I have said is my own preference.

[kexodusc]

Hey Kex, I agree that the mini's coupled together with a capable sub would meet most peoples needs. The mini's are a very good recommendation. You say your preference would be for the 5's, I'm just wondering though, have you actually heard them, I know you have the studio 40's so maybe you are biased towards this style of standmount. Both RGA and I would most definetaly recommend the less expensive 3 over the 5. The 3 sounds alot better in everyway (to me) and save you some money as well. Maybe the studio line the 40's are better then the 20's but maybe in the monitor line the 5's are a step back from the 3's. For the most part, I have never heard anyone say anything good about the 5's except you and Wooch and both you guys have the 40's. Hmmmm, I heard the 5's and believe me you, they suck, and I'm not surprised they have sold so poorly.

Cam:
I don't know how I missed this post, but I've been having "issues" with the auto-email thing...
Anyhoo, just to clarify: I have a cousin who until recently owned the Monitor 5's...I'm extremely familiar with them. To me the Monitor 3 had the poorest midrange response of all the Monitors...I attribute this solely to that 8" woofer. It pounds the bass though, and when I say poorest mid-range, I don't mean that it's bad, just not quite as nice as the others (there's a larger Monitor with the 8" woofer too, I think...I confess I haven't heard this one). The Monitor 5 has a much tighter, more accurate, and punchy bass sound IMO, while preserving the superior midrange. It's a bit more money than 3, but I like it better for these reasons. It seemed to me to be a bit more dynamic too, not as stressed when musical pasages get busy.
I flip-flop between the Mini and Monitor 5 as being best value in that line.
Interestingly enough, I'm not sure I like the Studio 40 that much better than 20's except that the bass is a definite improvement, and it made listening to 2-channel stereo better. I bought mine used but I think if I was buying new, I would have had to listen more closely between the 20 and 40....I used a subwoofer always so the extra bass might not have been justification for the added price...I'll never know now though.

[IRG]

Cam:
I don't know how I missed this post, but I've been having "issues" with the auto-email thing...
Anyhoo, just to clarify: I have a cousin who until recently owned the Monitor 5's...I'm extremely familiar with them. To me the Monitor 3 had the poorest midrange response of all the Monitors...I attribute this solely to that 8" woofer. It pounds the bass though, and when I say poorest mid-range, I don't mean that it's bad, just not quite as nice as the others (there's a larger Monitor with the 8" woofer too, I think...I confess I haven't heard this one). The Monitor 5 has a much tighter, more accurate, and punchy bass sound IMO, while preserving the superior midrange. It's a bit more money than 3, but I like it better for these reasons. It seemed to me to be a bit more dynamic too, not as stressed when musical pasages get busy.
I flip-flop between the Mini and Monitor 5 as being best value in that line.
Interestingly enough, I'm not sure I like the Studio 40 that much better than 20's except that the bass is a definite improvement, and it made listening to 2-channel stereo better. I bought mine used but I think if I was buying new, I would have had to listen more closely between the 20 and 40....I used a subwoofer always so the extra bass might not have been justification for the added price...I'll never know now though.

I'm not cam, but your comments surprised me. I thought the midrange of the 3 better than the mini. It seems fuller to me, and not just bass. It was also better than the Energy C-3 I had before it. I did not hear the Monitor 5 though. My dealer rarely orders them, I think he said in the number of years he has been selling Paradigm, only 2 customer wanted them. Others on this site and other places didn't give the monitor 5 high praises either. Originally that was going to be my choice. It is also a pretty large speaker, so that alone creates some different issues, as in stand height.

You mentioned the Monitor 3 pounds the bass because of its larger woofer. I thought the Reference 20 v3 I listened to pounded the bass even more so, especially on rock materials. At times it almost seemed more bloated to me, although on strings and some vocals I preferred it. To each his own I guess.

The monitor 3's midrange to me sounded better than the mini, and even better with a subwoofer which I use. That can change things as well. Some people have mentioned that the best value in the line is actually the Monitor 7, which I didn't really get to audition, but without stands being needed, and possibly not even a sub if you do 2 channel music and not need it for rap, this could indeed be the best value.

I've seen more 2 way moniors using a larger woofer size, like Reference 3A, B&W 602, and some others. Maybe not a trend, but not all monitors need to be a 5 or 6" woofer anymore. It seems that the midrange as well as bass can be improved with a slightly larger woofer.