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Alternatives to the Paradigm S4?

I'm in the process of moving to an apartment and I'm looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers. I want Neodymium magnets, a fair amount of flexibility with amp pairings. So no horns or electrostatics, plus it's an apartment so there probably won't be room. I use a pair of Paradigm Monitor 7's right now with a 20/40w Cary. They spec's say down to 15 watts and based on my experience I believe it, so I could go with a true SET integrated or something. I want speakers that are pretty much actually within +/-.5 dB of each other, and a speaker firm large enough to have an active development division. No cabinet makers with soldering skills. This unfortunately leaves the pickings pretty slim: I might be willing to settle (ha) for a pair of Revel M20/M22's (not sure if they are Neodymium), or the Paradigm S4's. I've heard the M20's powered pretty well with tubes, so I'm not worried. I have liked the JM Labs Mini Utopia Be (but not at $6000., and I suspect I would like the Merlins, but again I have to eat also. Anyone have any thoughts on a couple of others I might try out?
biomimetic
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
Why are you dead set on Neodymium magnets? Also, I would say the Revels are fairly power hungary. Having owned both the M20's and the F30's.

You never said what your budget was.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Look at the new Gallo AV series - neodymium magnets, killer sound and looks:

http://roundsound.com/reference-speakers.htm

-RW-
biomimetic OP
252 posts
 
More powerful magnets = more accurate sound in theory. Not concerned about the so-called Revel power issue. This is one of these "I heard on the internet one time..." kind of statements. Heard them with 20 tube watts, powered by Manley, Heard them with more than a hundred powered by Arcam. Better with the Manley. Interesting about the Gallos. I hadn't considered them. I'll put them on the list. My budget is not more than $3200-ish + bookshelf speaker. I have seen the JM LAbs Utopia Be's for around this used.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
It takes more than a powerful magnet to give accurate sound. The crossover and cabinet design should be a large part of the equation. Don't get me wrong I like the powerful magnets too..think Alinco magnets.
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