Doug Fogle

modest upgrade for paradigm system

currently running mon.9 for front,adp-350 for sides and mon.3 for rears.Would like to go direct for sides and have two options: buy 9's or 7's for sides, or move 9's to sides and replace with mon.11 or 90p upfront.My listening is about 60-40 music-movies,and the music listening is about 80-20 stereo-mult-chan.So,I guess I could simplify the question:will either the 11 or 90p give better stereo sound than the 9?I'm happy with the sub I have now so the powered sub of the 90p isn't important unless it improves the overall sound of the speaker over the 9.Sorry for the length and thanks for any kind response

John Dunlap

I'm a big fan of the 11's. Many people say they don't have as much bass as the 9's but I believe them to have much tighter bass than the 9's.

I auditioned them last year and took 'em home. I ultimately ended up with Paradigm Reference 60's because I got greedy . The Monitor 11's are an outstanding value though.

Marty M

I'm not sure how much of a difference this upgrade will make. I have Monitor 7's and if I ever upgrade I will probably look at the Studio series.

Lawn Ranger Motto: You're only young once, but you can be always be immature.

RobertW

agreed. you could probably get studio 60's for not much more than the monitor 11's, and if music is your maine listening, this choice would be a much better option.

Nick V

I have 11's along with a CC-370, and I just traded in my 5's for a credit, and bought some PSB Stratus Mini's. Now the Mini's are in the Front, the 11's are in the back on 10" stands, and the CC-370 is still in the centre (Argh!)

The PSB's have been the biggest difference in my system for awhile. I'm gonna trade in, or sell the CC-370 next, to buy a PSB Stratus C6i, then Eventually trade in the 11's for some Silver i's or Gold i's that will go in the front and the Mini's will go in the back.

If you're gonna do any upgrading, I would go out of the Paradigm Monitor line. They are great midfi speakers IMO, but if you're looking to upgrade the sound of your music/hometheater experience, I'd try to phase out the ones you have, and go with some better speakers. The Paradigm Studio's are excellent speakers, you may want to give them a listen.

Doug Fogle

Great replies.I have two questions:Since I can't replace all speakers at once (wf)how would studios mesh with the monitor 9's sonically? And if using sub,could I go with 40's=I actually read posts saying they were the best in the studio line.True? Or.if using the 9's for now as sides,should I go for towers in the studio line also?

Paul Bryan

From what I understand, the Monitor's and Studio's (atleast the newest versions) use the same tweeter... This should give a more timbre matched sound than going with another brand... But probably not a good as monitor's or studio's all around...




I looked at the 20's, 40's & 60's... The 40's were great speakers, but I ended up with the 60's... The price of the 60's is very comparable with the 40's + Stands, and I preferred the floorstanding design. The sound of the 40's and 60's are very similar, so it will probably come down to what will integrate better into your room. Either way I think you will be very happy with any speaker in the Studio Line... I know I am...

John Dunlap

I agree with Paul. I auditioned the 60's and 40's and it pretty much ends up being a wash pricewise if you factor in the cost of good stands. I have young children so right off the bat I'm turned of to the idea of bookshelf speakers on stands. I also perceived the 60's to be a bit more "fuller sounding" than the 40's.

It's pretty tough to beat the Paradigm Studio line at its pricepoint although for a bit more I would consider the PSB Stratus line and the Polk LSi series.

ChrisWiggles

Don't stay within the monitor series if you upgrade, because it's really just more of the same, or perhaps a tad better, but hardly worth the money. DEFENITELY go to the studio series, and/or any other solid brand. I have mini-monitors, and will upgrade, but i'd never stay with the monitor series in an upgrade, because it wouldn't net me an improvement in sound, except for more bass, which is MORE thatn covered with and SVS, so it'd really be money for nothing. I don't know what I will end up getting, the studio 20s are a bargain, but the B&W CDM NT 1s are also great, different (very anemic bass), but better detail, and I had Dynaudio Audience 52s recommended to me but i've not gone to hear them yet. I also very much enjoyed a pair of small floorstanders from Rega at about a grand, but they're at a different dealer, so no trade-in possible there.

JamieS

Got to agree with most above. An upgrade would be moving up and out of the monitor series. I have Monitor 7s and like them considering my budget but if I upgrade it would be to studio series.