I think Paradigm's generally are better at low end response. I was disappointed with my 685s bass, obviously its a bookshelf speaker (only goes to 49Hz), but I did not have the $$$ for floorstanders. So I saved up and bought a sub. Now my system goes deeper than any floorstander I have ever researched or listened to (25Hz). If I could find one that went that low, I probably couldn't afford it!