Paradigm Signature S4s
Had a chance to briefly listen to the Paradigm S4s at a local dealer. The source was a Marantz player and the receiver was a Anthem. Frankly, I am not sure what I was hearing. The dealer started playing a CD and I was like thinking this sounds familar but couldn't immediately identify it. It was a Diana Krall CD that I have played many times on my system but with the S4s it sounded so different. First of all, the soundstage was huge and the imaging was excellent. The first thing I noticed was that it sounded "live" compared to my current system, however Diana Krall's voice almost sounded raspy. Although they had great mechanics I would have to listen to them a lot more to determine if I liked the sound. The mids seemed to be in your face, and the bass was light.
The same material on my system whic uses a Denon 3910, Outlaw Audio 1070 as a pre, and a NAD 270 amp, and NHT Classic 3 speakers (with SVS sub) sounds so silky smooth but doesn't have that "live" sound to it. I can listen to my system for hours on end.
Not having auditioned many different systems, I guess I was just surprised that the same CD can sound so different on different systems.
The same material on my system whic uses a Denon 3910, Outlaw Audio 1070 as a pre, and a NAD 270 amp, and NHT Classic 3 speakers (with SVS sub) sounds so silky smooth but doesn't have that "live" sound to it. I can listen to my system for hours on end.
Not having auditioned many different systems, I guess I was just surprised that the same CD can sound so different on different systems.
Post edited by Polkitup2 on
Comments
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I've heard the same thing here in my own house, the difference is using my Denon avr as a pre versus using my Adcom pre. The Denon has a wider, less defined almost artificial sound stage were as the Adcom is a little more restrained, but pinpoint.
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First off, did you hear the version 2 or the original S4? The second version has a Beryllium tweeter and a new midrange driver.
Paradigms are very clean speakers and they sound very much like it. A very good speaker in my opinion.
You will need to hear it some more before you get a good feel for what it's about and what the S4 tries to do with sonic reproduction.
JoeyMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
It was version 1. The dealer had one demo pair left. I think I will take a closer look at Paradigm for my next speaker purchase.
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The S4's I heard were also the V1. Driven by some Mac equipment. Listening to them made me grit my teeth. I guess they're not for everyone. They sure are pretty though.
