Energy Connoiseurs vs. Paradigm Monitors (1 Viewer)

[John Dunlap]

Has anyone compared Energy's Connoiseur line to Paradigms Monitor Series? I listened to the Monitor 11's the other dau and loved them. But then another dealer who I've done a lot of busines with told me that the new Connoiseurs sound much nicer (he carries Energy and Paradigm).

Trying to decide between a very good closeout deal on the Monitor 11 ($800) and C-370 ($289) vs. picking up some C-7's or C-9's that would match with my Energy AC-300 Center.

There are no reviews of the new Connoiseurs available online yet so any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Danny Tse]

Just some comments about the Connoiseur series in general....I have the C1 in my 2-channel system right now. They're being powered by an Onkyo TX-8511 stereo receiver. Out of the box, they sounded quite good already; very wide soundstage and not bright at all, despite the metal tweeter. I only have the speakers on for about a hour for now, so I imagine they will get better with time. Just wanted to add that since the Connoiseur series shares the same tweeter throughout the line.

 

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd go with the Energy's myself since you already have the matching centre

 

[Chris Tsutsui]

I'd take the energy con over the monitor. The energy sounds smooth and if you get the larger model there's plenty of clean bass.

 

[Mike Veroukis]

Are the Monitors bi-wire/bi-ampable? I know that the cons are not. The Energies however do look nice and sound great. I find that both Paradigm and Energy make great speakers, but Paradigm seems to be far more affordable and possibly a better value. If you have the cash though Energy is a serious contender. Btw, are Paradigms/Energy priced similarly in the States? Here in Canada the equivalent Veritas is about double the price of the Studio series.

Unfortunately no one in my town sells both so I can't A/B test them. I'm also curious to see which sound better; Paradigm Studio series or Energy Veritas. That would be a nice shoot-out.

- Mike

 

[John Dunlap]

Mike, I think that the Monitors are bi-wireable. I have not heard the Veritas-nobody around me seems to carry them! But they are a lot more expensive than the Studios are'nt they??

I wonder why Energy has so few dealers in the US? Or maybe that's only true of the region I live in?? That's it, I'm moving to Canada !!!

 

[Chas_T]

Yes.. Monitor series/11 is a bi-wire/amp speaker. However, I don't think the CC/370 has those capabilities.

 

[Nick V]

You are correct Chas,

I believe that in the monitor series only the Towers are bi-amp/wireable. Although, now that I think of it, I'm not sure about the Monitor 3's and 5's??

 

[Justin Doring]

I also prefer the sound of Energy speakers, as Paradigm is too bright and unrefined for my taste.

 

[Nick_Shah]

I compared the Connoisseur bookshelves (C1 and C2, I believe), and the Paradigm Mini Monitors. I preferred the Mini Monitors, but not by very much. I only listened to CDs in stereo, I didn't listen to any multichannel applications.
Be warned that I went to two separate dealers to listen to these speakers, so there wasn't a direct comparison performed.
I decided to go with Axiom, but I likely would have leaned towards the Mini-Monitors, despite the fact that the Connoisseurs look beautiful.
I know these aren't the ones you're considering, but I thought I'd comment on my Connoisseur/Monitor experiences.
Good luck!
-Nick

 

[Michael Mathius]

I've never heard the the Paradigms but I do own the Veritas. When I was getting the Veritas my dealer actually told me that I should serious look at getting the Connoiseurs instead. I did listen to the Connoiseur which sounded very good but I was already sold on wanting to own the Veritas. .
I agree with Andrew. The Connoiseur gets my vote.