Paradigm monitor speakers

cdn5003

Anyone here have experience with Paradigm monitor speakers?

I currently have Lsi9's and my preference is 80% music 20% movies. Trying to decide if I want to try something new

I listened to the monitor 7, 9, and 11's. The 7's sounded small but the 9 and 11 were really nice. 11's would be stretching the budget and I don't need help on the low end because I have an SVS PB-12 sealed sub. The 9's are the ones I'm interested in.

Impressions of the monitor 9's vs. Lsi9? Also, what other floorstanders should I consider in this price range? List price is $1200 and I'm guessing 10-15% off that price is what they go for. Is this a fair price for these? Very limited pricing info online for these

scubalab

Hey Chris - what version? Look like the originals are 15-20 years old and there have been at least 7 versions of I'm seeing that there are Monitor 9 v.7 towers out there now. You might check with Paul & Tony's on S. Atherton St. since they still carry Paradigm and may even have some older ones on consignment. I have the Studio 40 large bookies. Don't know how they compare to the Monitors, but you're more than welcome to give them a listen.
-Al

cdn5003

Thanks Al, a listen to those would be pretty cool side-by-side with Lsi9

Yes I did listen to them at Paul & Tony's, the Monitor 9 v.7's. I was impressed in the off axis sound quality they delivered.

The tweeters were detailed but not harsh. A little more forward than the Lsi that are so smooth. The Lsi are tough to beat for music within a reasonable budget. I trust my ears but any opinions on the tweeters in this Paradigm Classic Collection?

tat

I own a pair of little bookshelf Paradigm's that I found mediocre. I was replacing lost lost CRS SDA's on a tight budget, so it was a big difference. I blew a tweeter fairly easily as well. I wouldn't even bring up words like imaging with the model I had. They were cheap though (though not that light), bigger Paradigms I have not heard.

erniejade

What is it with the lsi9 you don't like or feeling the need for more or different? Paradigm in general house sound is a little bit more up front in your face where the lsi9 is a bit more laid back.

CH46E

I have Monitor 7 version 2. Actually I traded a pair of a polk RT35 for them to friend that was down sizing.

I like them and they did pretty well with a Adcom 545 mkii I had. Imaging is great but I always felt they lacked in the vocal area. When pushed the bass was not great.

The latest version I have listened to was the 7, 9 and 11 version 5. I liked them too but would suspect the LSI to be bettereally in most fields.

I still have my 7 v2 in the living room for TV duty.

CH46E

I think in the same budget you could get some Studio series. I very much liked the 20 and 40 V3.

cdn5003

I went off the board and picked up Goldenear Triton 5's. Got a great deal brand new at my local stereo store. They blow away the Lsi9 for HT application and still are quite a bit better with music also.

The HVFR tweeters are just awesome. Image so well. Haven't played around with the tube preamp yet, that could be fun

They were comparable to the Prestige series in Paradigm I thought

kharp1

Goldenear was on my list for a while but ended up ruling them out for 2 channel. I've owned a couple pair of a couple different versions of the Paradigm monitors and always thought the tweets were a tad bright, though, my understanding is they've changed tweeters a couple of times over the history of this speaker.

I bought a pair of Usher CP-6311 off the forum out of curiosity and was very impressed, so much so that I'm looking to make a jump up in their line. Trial and error.

codycatalist

I have a pair of Paradigm Monitor 70P v2. Meh, not a fan of the sound. The bass is crazy loud (dual integrated subs) but I took them completely out of my HT in favor of my RTA11TLs. Now they sit in my daughters room collecting dust.

lightman1

That grounds for an arsewhippin' Cody!
And being outed as a hoarder on these open pages here.

tonyb

Comparing floorstanders to bookies ?

codycatalist

lightman1 wrote: »

That grounds for an arsewhippin' Cody!
And being outed as a hoarder on these open pages here.

Just too bright for me, I love that Polk sound. My other half says I might be a hoarder, I think of them as trophies of good deals past.

kharp1

codycatalist wrote: »

lightman1 wrote: »

That grounds for an arsewhippin' Cody!
And being outed as a hoarder on these open pages here.

Just too bright for me, I love that Polk sound. My other half says I might be a hoarder, I think of them as trophies of good deals past.

LMAO! I closing in on a hall of fame museum of past good deals.

cdn5003

Kharp1 Why did you rule out Goldenear for music? What did they lack?

How many of you guys have heard Goldenear speakers? Specifically the tweeter that is shared on all their models

I'm curious to hear what others think of these. Very pleased with mine and intend on keeping them for a long time.

Never understood speaker hoarding. Why hold onto speakers you upgraded from? Maybe keep a second pair that is a different flavor for HT or Music but something like 6 pairs is just silly. If I still had my Monitor 40's when would I swap them into the setup?

ken brydson

cdn5003 wrote: »

Never understood speaker hoarding. Why hold onto speakers you upgraded from? Maybe keep a second pair that is a different flavor for HT or Music but something like 6 pairs is just silly. If I still had my Monitor 40's when would I swap them into the setup?

We have some sicko's on board...

http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/164195/how-polked-are-you/p1

nguyendot

I had the 7v7s that I just sold for like $400. They sounded pretty damn good for their size, but did need at least a small fast sub.

kharp1

@cdn5003 , I was at first pretty impressed with them, however, as I heard them over several weeks in diffferent locations with different electronics I realized they just weren't for me.

B Run

I've had my pair of Goldenear Triton 5's for a little over a year now, they're a nice speaker and sound good with HT and music. I've gone through a lot of speakers in the last two years and ended up sticking with these because I feel like they're the most well rounded. They're hands down better than the Monitor series, I personally prefer them over my Studio 100's I had.

markmarc

I went back and forth between the Triton7/5 and the Paradigm Prestige 75f. Good models, efficient, and all three play beyond their size. In the end, I picked the Prestige 75f's. Just seemed to play a bit bigger and had more depth/richness. The other thing was the improvement in treble frequencies over the Studio series, still open but much smoother.
That being said, I'm a big Triton fan and recommend the 7's to anyone with budget max of $1500.