Paradigm, Bose, Athena or Polk Audio? (1 Viewer)

[Michael_V]

Polk wins big, IMHO

Come on, that is nonsense. While Athena seems to be an unknown and Bose a nonstarter, it has to be admitted that the race between Polk LSi and Paradigm Reference is close indeed.

 

[Andrew Pratt]

David I paid $190 cdn (not icl tax) for my atoms that I'm using in my second zone so use that as a benchmark of what is possible with a good dealer. As far as upgrading goes buy the better centre channel it will make a big difference. For subs the little 8" is ok but if your room is bigger then a bedroom it will leave you wanting for more. If you're locked in at this price range then buy it but if not I'd seriously consider moving up to a better sub or waiting till you have more funds to put towards one. You don't have to stick to paradigm for your sub though so you can shop around for a good deal on one. Where in Canada are you?

 

[Mark Russ]

Mihael V., please notice that I stated that was my opinion about the Polk vs. Paradigm sets he SPECIFICALLY asked about in the previous thread. This did NOT include any others (well, on second thought, I guess it would automatically include Bose after all). Do I think the bottom of the line Polk bookshelf would top a middle to upper line Paradigm? No. And if you think that a bottom or near bottom of the line Paradigm would top a middle to upper line Polk, then that is nonsense, and you know it deep down whether you will admit it or not!

 

[DavidBelis]

I'm in Toronto, Canada.

The problem with Paradigm is that I can't really compare prices of them, because I only know of 1 store that even sells them (it's called HiFi 2000).

Everywhere else I go, just seems to sell things like Bose, JBL, and other big names. (occassioanlly I see Polk Audio, too).

I don't understand why the Paradigms are so hard to find, especially since they're Canadian speakers.

 

[ernie.bin]

have you checked the dealer locator at www.paradigm.ca? I found 3 separate dealers in vancouver.

 

[Chris Quinn]

Either speaker will be a tremendous improvement over Bose.

 

[DavidBelis]

That dealer locator doesn't help me, because it only shows dealers within 2 miles of where you are, and there's only 1 for me. (which is the HIFI2000).

IS there any way to broaden the search to more than a 2 mile radius?

 

[Rick CH]

In Toronto, Audio One (Steeles&Jane) and Kromer Radio (Bathurst&College) are also Paradigm dealers.

 

[James Bergeron]

Man your in Toronto! How could there be only 1 dealer?? There is like 7 Paradigm dealers in Ottawa. Paradigm manufacturers the speakers in the GTA for pete's sake!

Only put in the first 3 characters of your postal code.

Just look in the yellow pages, I'm sure there are TONS of dealers that have the little paradigm logo in the ad.

 

[Wayne_T]

David, you really have to get out more?
Audio One, Kromer, Whitby Audio, East Hamilton Radio, Kawartha (Peterborough), Lipton's (Newmarket),Caledon Videotronics and Gibby's (St. Catherines) all carry both Paradigm and Paradigm Reference. There may be more. Others like HiFi 2000 carry only Paradigm, not Paradigm Reference.
Cheers

 

[DavidBelis]

How do you find so many Paradigm dealers?

When I type in the first half od my postal code, M2R, it only comes up with one single result. (like I said, HiFi2000).

 

[Neil Joseph]

NO POLK sounds better then PARADIGM REFERENCE. Only in someones dreams! They need a trip to the EAR doctor and Fast.

Speakers are a very subjective topic. What sounds good to one may not sound good to another. Keep the doctor out of it!

 

[Patrick R.E.]

I got Athena (SCT series) Speaker one pair of S3 and P3 (combo)for the front and one pair of S1 for the rear and one C1 for the center.
Athena are canadian speaker there nice but you will have better quality with Paradigm reference speaker (this is my future up grade )
http://www.athenaspeakers.com/0_main/0_main.html
so #1 will be Paradigm
#2 Athena
#3 Polk audio
and the last Bose and buy the way Bose have closed there big factory in Quebec this week and that left 42 employe without job :frowning:

 

[CurtisC]

You may want to add a few to your list to listen to,your options sound very limited.