Paradigm Studio 20 vs B&W 602 S3

[shokhead]

And I'm sure that YOU'RE [sic] favorite sound is on YOU'RE system too.

Until you actually hear the B&Ws on a Kenwood, you have no idea if they would sound like "crap." Typically, the characteristics of the speakers are by far the biggest variable, then comes the room acoustics, then further down on the list is the amplification. Most of the differences I've heard, except with difficult to drive speakers, are subtle when the amplification gets switched out. The acoustical variations between demo rooms can be more than enough to negate any differences that you might detect in the amplification, so it's actually more important to make sure the listening comparisons take place in the same room than it is to make sure that the system components are comparable.

I said they might and i was just throwing kenwood out as an example,could have used emerson. Hard to judge on demo room setups. There is a high end place by me that has 3 or 4 rooms set up like a living room,its nice.

[kexodusc]

Here's another option, do what I just did...

Buy the Studio 20's for $800, then buy the EFE AR.com DIY kit by Ed Frias from Madisound or Speaker city for $300 (pre-built, cheaper if you DIY) and compare them in your room.

The Studio's look a bit better than my humble woodworking skills, butmy DIY's have a much nicer, real veneer.
Sound wise it isn't even close. I've already sold a pair of 20's, when I've got the other 4 built, the othe pair of Studio 20's and 40's are going too.

I don't care if they the Studio 20 v.3's, B&W 700's or 600's sound a wee bitbetter than the Studio 20 v.2's at this point, the EFE DIY's destroy my Studio 40's v2's, especially in the midrange, and are dirt cheap!!!

Once I figure out my new digital camera and build the next pair, I'll snap some pics and post a more thorough review of the head-to-head...

Geez, I can build a whole 7 speaker HT system for what I paid for my Studio 40's...I feel hosed now.

[RGA]

Wooch

Actually the Arcam receivers in two channel were quite good very close to the Delta 290 I had - theproblem was that Arcam's surround features att hat time wasn't as good and they charged a healthy premium over competitors. Some of the Flagship receivers sound OK - but you pay $5,000.00+ for them up here and I want more than OK. But then music isn;t really what people are buying them for so no knock on them.

As for alternatives to the B&W and Paradigm speakers - instead of a "like" speaker in the Monitor Audios why not try and listen to spekaers with different design approaches - AN, Magnepan, --- and stuff like Spendor etc.

[RGA]

Kex- for you DIYers of the world http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/beraneklaw.html

[Aric M L]

I just posted similarily in a different thread but I own a pair of 602's and before I bought them I listened to Monitor audio and was far less impressed. IMO the Monitor's featured harsh almost tinny highs and lackluster lows. Granted I listened at different stores with obviously different rooms, but I feel the 602's are a better deal. And hey, I got $50 knocked off the price so you could give that a shot as well. Also I've heard Magnepans before but not immediately after either of the other two so I can't accurately compare but I found them to be a little lacking in low end although overall I was impressed. They are a commitment to place well in a room though due to the large size but that's also not a bad road to travel.

[kexodusc]

Kex- for you DIYers of the world http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mleach/beraneklaw.html

I think I partially agree with that...that's why it's important to have some measurement equipment (and reference commercial speakers). I don't design speakers, just assembly, testing, and slight modification of other designs so far...the only thing I've ever designed is 2 cabinets, had tons of help with crossover and driver selection for my vifa/scanspeak monitors...but I'm learnin'...