Polk LS90 vs Paradigm Studio Monitor (original)

MiguelGuillardo
MiguelGuillardo Posts: 6
edited January 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
As the title states, I'm trying to decide between 2 sets of tower speakers. The Polk LS90's or the Paradigm Studio Monitor (original version with 2x8" woofers, tri-ampable). Both sets of towers are used, with the Polk towers being about a 1/3 of the price of the Paradigms. I will be using them in a small listening room for now, with plans for a larger listening room in the future. My listening room is treated with acoustical panels as well as carpeting, and sounds pretty good even with speakers that are too large for the current room's dimensions. The system will mainly be for music, 2 channel, and run off a rotation of gear (separates, vintage receivers, integrateds, AVRs).

I'm wondering what people's opinions are between these two speakers. The Paradigms seem very similar to the Studio 100 v1 and v2, which all seem to get good reviews. The downsides are that many comments recommend large listening rooms and high current amps (2-400w+). The Polks also get good reviews, and I've been able to listen to them quite a bit and I've been impressed with their sound. People also seem to recommend a couple hundred watts to power the Polks. My main amps now are 125-160wpc for the most part. Most of my amps should be fine with the speakers dipping down to 4ohms and even below for a short period. Listening would be done largely at low volume, with the occasional high volume listening session.

Let me know if there are any variables I've missed. TIA for your advice.
Post edited by MiguelGuillardo on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited March 2013
    The Paradigms are a good HT/music speaker that is 8 ohm friendly.
    The LSI90's are a very good music speaker that is 4 ohms and is hard to drive with HT receivers.
    IF your amps are up to it, the LSI's are a good choice. I've owned the Paradigm studio 60's
    and found them to be pretty good, but had a hot upper bass. They could fill the room
    with 50 watts no problem. My son still has the studio 60's running on his HT set up and loves them.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MiguelGuillardo
    MiguelGuillardo Posts: 6
    edited March 2013
    Thanks for your input. Just to clarify, they are LS90s, precursors to the LSI series of speakers

    http://www.polkaudio.com/products/ls90
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,761
    edited March 2013
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    The Paradigms are a good HT/music speaker that is 8 ohm friendly.
    The LSI90's are a very good music speaker that is 4 ohms and is hard to drive with HT receivers.
    IF your amps are up to it, the LSI's are a good choice. I've owned the Paradigm studio 60's
    and found them to be pretty good, but had a hot upper bass. They could fill the room
    with 50 watts no problem. My son still has the studio 60's running on his HT set up and loves them.

    LS90's are 8 ohm. I love mine, great for music and HT.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MiguelGuillardo
    MiguelGuillardo Posts: 6
    edited March 2013
    I'd agree the LS90s were great sounding speakers, I'm just trying to decide if the Paradigms will be a big enough increase in performance to warrant the large price difference. I have heard the Paradigm's tweeter can be harsh, although I've also read that about the tri-lam in the LS90s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,761
    edited March 2013
    Never heard the Paradigms so I can't help you there. The tri lams do mellow with better cables, etc...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2013
    I am driving a pair of LS90s in my office with a 40wpc tube amp and sounds glorious. Updating the one cap and resistor in each speaker is worth doing. Oh yeah, spike them too.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited March 2013
    Whoops. Space moment there. The older LS series were more amp friendly.
    I'd say buy the Polks and enjoy the savings. With the day I've been having I really
    didn't take to time to think about the Polk model. The Paradigms are certainly a fine speaker,
    but $$ vs $$$$ is the tie breaker. I can't believe I somehow confused ls vs. LSI models.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MiguelGuillardo
    MiguelGuillardo Posts: 6
    edited March 2013
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    The Paradigms are certainly a fine speaker,
    but $$ vs $$$$ is the tie breaker

    That echos my thoughts on the deal as well. It's possible the Paradigms are nicer speakers, but I don't know if they are worth the extra $
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MiguelGuillardo
    MiguelGuillardo Posts: 6
    edited April 2013
    Last question

    Would you pay $500 for the Paradigm's?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2013
    miguelguillardo wrote: »
    last question

    would you pay $500 for the paradigm's?

    yes!
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gustavo70
    gustavo70 Posts: 3
    edited April 2013
    LS90' the best!!!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited April 2013
    Yes.. Twice
    I'm driving Studio 100's right now and LOVE them..
    MiguelGuillardo wrote: »
    Last question

    Would you pay $500 for the Paradigm's?
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Goldenboy72206
    Goldenboy72206 Posts: 126
    edited April 2013
    i love the ls90
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mopar paul
    mopar paul Posts: 277
    edited April 2013
    I've had both and prefer the sound of the Paradigms, just seem "cleaner" to me. I found that sometimes the ls90 seemed bloated.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2013
    mopar paul wrote: »
    I've had both and prefer the sound of the Paradigms, just seem "cleaner" to me. I found that sometimes the ls90 seemed bloated.

    LS90s if not positioned correctly can sound bloated.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MiguelGuillardo
    MiguelGuillardo Posts: 6
    edited April 2013
    Thanks for the opinions everyone! Def helps to hear from an assortment of people

    mopar paul wrote: »
    I've had both and prefer the sound of the Paradigms, just seem "cleaner" to me. I found that sometimes the ls90 seemed bloated.

    I appreciate the input, especially from someone that has listened to both.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ken brydson
    ken brydson Posts: 8,761
    edited April 2013
    I would never call the 90's bloated but to each their own... My description would be punchy bass, smooth mid's and crisp highs, especially after upgrading the c/o's. YMMV...
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • attym
    attym Posts: 33
    edited December 2013
    Do you know how many ohms the paradigm studio monitors are? What did you end up going with?

    I bought a pair of studio monitors and while they sound great (amazing bass and detail), I can help but feel they might be too big for the room (sound and appearance) Might sell or trade.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • geppy1
    geppy1 Posts: 3,075
    edited January 2014
    I hve tried LS 90s several times with different units and postions The bass is very heavy and that pushes vocals to the back of the stage however sticking a towel in the ports helped. I do prefer the bass to the LSI15 whose bass sounds disconnected from the rest of the spectrum
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter