SDA 1C's vs Paradigm Studio 100 v3

On3s&Z3r0s

Hey all,

I'm looking to upgrade my 2-channel system by changing out or upgrading my speakers. Available in my area are two sets of speakers and I'm having a hard time deciding which to go with.

First set: SDA 1C's for $600... they look to be in nice condition from pictures. The seller doesn't seem particularly anxious to sell and I doubt he would reduce his price at all. They are stock so I'd probably upgrade the tweeters and XO's to get the most out of them, bringing the total close to or just over $1,000.

Second set: A pair of Paradigm Studio 100 v3, again looks nice from pics, for $1,000, could maybe get the seller to come down a little. These I wouldn't touch provided they're in good shape.

I currently own a pair of stock original SDA 2's. So, my question: are the 1C's a big enough step up from the 2's to justify the price, or would it be better to go with the Paradigm's? I've heard Paradigm Monitors and like their neutrality, never heard the Studio line. Reviews seem to suggest they're a good floorstander with nicely integrated bass.

So... thoughts? I know there was another recent thread asking a similar question about RTi A9's vs. Studio v4's. The nod there seemed to go to Paradigm, but this might be a trickier call.

As always, thanks!

dkg999

apples and oranges. Two completely different presentation, soundstages, and upstream gear needs. You would just need to listen to both and decide which presentation is best to your ears.

On3s&Z3r0s

dkg999 wrote: »

apples and oranges. Two completely different presentation, soundstages, and upstream gear needs. You would just need to listen to both and decide which presentation is best to your ears.

Hmmm... I always have a tough time getting an accurate read of how I'm going to like a pair of speakers by listening to them in someone else's room on someone else's gear. Especially when it's two different rooms and two different sets of upstream gear. In case it matters to anyone's opinion of which way to go, my upstream gear is not great. I have a B&K 200.2, which is plenty of juice for the SDA 2's. Sometimes I use a NAD receiver as a preamp, but if I want to do "critical listening" I skip the pre-amp and go direct from a Benchmark DAC to the amp.

concealer404

I would personally pick the Paradigms. But it's truly nothing more than a personal choice/taste at this point. The speakers aren't really comparable in the slightest.

Dawgfish

Like the others have said, these are two different animals altogether so if you can hear both for yourself, that will be the most importasnt factor in deciding. Having said that, I own a set of SDA-1Cs and have heard the Paradigms in a friends set-up. For my tastes for two channel listening the SDA-1Cs beat out the Paradigms hands down. I've used a similiar B&K to drive my SDA-1Cs (ST-202+, earlier predecesor of the 200.2) and the two sound awesome together! I would get the SDA-1Cs, replace the tweets with the RDO-194s, put some spikes on them, send the crossover board to Ben and have him replace the caps (unless you want to do this yourself), and never look back. But that's just my opinion. YMMV.

Steve

Hawkeye

I had the Studio V1 with a B & K front end and found the sound very smooth except for the very top registers. That was probably just me, I've come to dislike metal tweeters.

B&K/Paradigm is a solid match in my opinion.

Gordon

heiney9

1C's w/RD0's.

The Paradigm tweeter can be a bit fatiguing if you have the wrong gear. Both are solid choices but the Paradigm's will be less forgiving and you'll need to make sure to match all your gear carefully. The 1C's are more laid back (still giving exceptional detail) and the better the gear you throw at them the better and better they perform.

No comparison on soundstage and the 1C's have superb bass.

H9

P.s. YES the 1C's are that much better than original 2's

On3s&Z3r0s

I guess listening to both would be the best way to do it. Too bad they're both a bit of a drive. How come no one who actually lives in Seattle wants to sell decent speakers that don't cost over $4K?!?

I generally love the SDA 2's but occasionally feel the jones for something a little "cleaner" sounding. But it sounds like the 1C's are a big step up, and maybe they are the one speaker to rule them all... at least in my price range and my area. I have an appointment to check them out on Saturday. Maybe I'll talk to the Paradigm guy too and see if I can fit a trip in to hear those as well. Thanks!

nooshinjohn

I must say that I feel there is more respect here for the 1c's than any other SDA model. I think there is an 'AWE" factor for the 1.2 TL's, but all the love goes to the little brother.

On3s&Z3r0s

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I must say that I feel there is more respect here for the 1c's than any other SDA model. I think there is an 'AWE" factor for the 1.2 TL's, but all the love goes to the little brother.

Yeah, I can see the fascination with the big TL's, but the wife would never allow those, at least not in our current digs, so I have to convince myself that they do not exist.

I've definitely noticed the special reverence for the 1C's. I'm pretty pumped just to get to hear a pair. But I also appreciate Concealer being willing to advocate for the Paradigm. Paradigm, Polk, and Vandersteen are my 3 preferred brands in my price range. Definitely all different but pretty rock solid when considering the prices you can have them for.

concealer404

To clarify: I'm not talking down the 1Cs or anything. They just aren't my thing. I may be one of the few that doesn't particularly enjoy the SDA "effect." (Yes, i know it's not an effect, don't beat me) I may be wired differently than most.

On3s&Z3r0s

concealer404 wrote: »

To clarify: I'm not talking down the 1Cs or anything. They just aren't my thing. I may be one of the few that doesn't particularly enjoy the SDA "effect." (Yes, i know it's not an effect, don't beat me) I may be wired differently than most.

I think that's totally fair. I say this as someone who really likes the SDA effect 90% of the time... sometimes I just want to hear how the music was put down on the source as unmodified as possible. That said, I probably will succumb to siren song of the 1C's just so I can hear how good the SDA's can be before the novelty wears off for me, if it ever does.

Just out of curiosity, have you (or anyone else following this thread) heard the RTA 15TL's? How would they rank?

dkg999

I used to own SDA's and still have a set that need serious rehabilitation. I own the Paradigm Studio Reference 20v3 monitors and would take them for music over the LSi9 or LSi7. The Paradigm tweeter takes about 400 hrs to smooth out. Once it does, ohhhhh babeeeeeeeeeeeee is it good!

heiney9

On3s&Z3r0s wrote: »

I think that's totally fair. I say this as someone who really likes the SDA effect 90% of the time... sometimes I just want to hear how the music was put down on the source as unmodified as possible. That said, I probably will succumb to siren song of the 1C's just so I can hear how good the SDA's can be before the novelty wears off for me, if it ever does.

Just out of curiosity, have you (or anyone else following this thread) heard the RTA 15TL's? How would they rank?

With SDA's you ARE hearing it more realistically as to how it was produced/mastered not the other way around. Don't blame the speakers, blame the recording. I have stuff that I listen to on my 1C's that sounds "freakish" but that's not the speakers fault; it's how it song(s) were recorded.

The 1C's have much better off axis soundfield than the original SDA's and I feel the later gen SDA's (like the 1C's) are more subtle about the dimensional stuff going on. With each evolution of SDA products Polk was able to refine and improve the process.

That's why I say the 1C's are much better than your original 2's.

The don;t compare to the RTA 15TL's. IMHO, the 15tl's can be really bass heavy if not set up properly. The RTA 11's are more balanced IMO. I'd choose later SDA's over any RTA series speaker. I owned the RTA 11's for almost 20 years and they were/are a badass speaker but the 1C's are a lot better.

You have some tough choices because they are all equally great speakers in their own respect. I love my 1C's and I will never get rid of them. Of course mine are modded and are leaps and bounds better than stock 1C's.

H9

P.s. 1C's seem to be the sweet spot for SDA's. Sort of the workhorse of the line. Easier to find and incorporating much of the last technology of the SDA process as well as being about the size most people can accomodate in a typical listening room.