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10-07-2004, 12:27 PM
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#1 of 21 
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Most Musical Speakers $200 Can Buy?
The subject says it all. Right now I'm thinking Paradigm Atoms.
Thanks,
Martin.
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10-07-2004, 01:36 PM
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#2 of 21
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Location: San Jose, Ca.
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$200 (USD) and UNDER or a little more?
For $200, you should be able to get Titans. I paid $189 for my v3 shielded ones brand new, but I got a good deal. Should still be able to get them for a little less, especially with the new models coming out soon. I prefer them to the Atoms, but the Atoms are OK too.
Do they have to be bookshelf speakers?
"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain
HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB
Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX
Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans
My DVDs  My HT
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10-07-2004, 01:41 PM
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#3 of 21
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John,
Thanks for the post. I guess it could be more if it's a floorstander, since there's a $100 (CDN) in a stand right there.
The Atoms have received many accolades as the "gem in the rough" in the performance series. I remeber one person actually preferred them to Studio 20's. I'm intrigued that you like the Titans more. I'll have to demo them!
Thanks!
Martin.
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10-07-2004, 01:50 PM
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#4 of 21
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I just like that the Titans have a bit more extension. The Atoms lack of extension makes them sound cleaner, IMO, which is why many prefer them to the Titans. With a sub, it's basically a draw, but I still prefer the Titans for the ~$30 difference.
The reason I ask if floorstanders are OK is because there are some Mordaunt Short 904s on sale at www.ac4l.com for $229 US. I have the 902s, the bookshelf version, that I got from AC4L, and I am extremely impressed with them. I upgraded my little bedroom system to these from Atoms, and the difference is LITERALLY night and day. I've even put them up against v2 Studio 20s in this same setup, and I felt the 902s, while lacking the extension of the 20s, were still cleaner overall for music. For the price, they are surprisingly good speakers.
"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain
HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB
Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX
Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans
My DVDs My HT
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10-07-2004, 02:05 PM
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#5 of 21
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John,
Thanks for the Titan vs. Atom insight. As for the Mordaunt Short 904s, I can't find them at a local B&M (in Canada, no less), and I definitely need to audition. Thanks for the suggestion, though. Looks like a heck of a sale price!
Martin.
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10-10-2004, 12:25 PM
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#6 of 21
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Listened some performance line speakers in the audio store, and actually left with a pair of Paradigm Esprits. These are small thin floorstanders which actually offer a great deal of bass extension. Tied for the most, on paper, in the Performance line. The difference between two Atoms with two S-30 stands and the Esprits was $100 even.
Compared to the Atoms, the highs were more revealing, and there was obviously more bass. The soundstage was noticably wider, and I didn't notice much difference in imaging. I preferred the Atoms for female voices, however. The Esprit's were a bit rough.
It seemed like a good tradeoff given that they will be used mostly for 2 channel music, and I have no intention of introducing a sub.
Martin.
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10-10-2004, 12:38 PM
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#7 of 21
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10-10-2004, 02:33 PM
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#8 of 21
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All speakers reproduce music...although some handle it better than others...but they do precisely just that and nothing more 'cuz loudspeakers aren't **musical** instruments to begin with, for crying at loud! 
Also...music playback without covering the entire human hearing frequency range (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz) is totally emasculating it--taking testicular, visceral power away from it!--even if most of it doesn't go below 40 Hz (of course, there's cathedral organ and electronically synthesized music to contend with too, but then what do I know!). That's why I've been been using subwoofers from time immemorial (am a bit older than most of you  )!
Sorry about the rant...but had to get it out of my chest...
-THTS
"...hi, my name is Frank...and am an SVS bassaholic..." |
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10-10-2004, 05:17 PM
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#9 of 21
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Wouldn't you know it. I get out of reviewing, and Frank introduces a new standard... "Testicular" .... just think, instead of "digital ready" stamps on the sides of speaker boxes... "Testicular Strength" could be the new paradigm ... (sorry - the paradigm one was too good to pass up...)...
Frank, you are a wonder...  
Craig Chase
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