nquery, interesting comparison with Monitor Audio. When my dealer dropped the Paradigm line back around 2005, they went with Monitor Audio.
I've never thought that any speaker brand is a one size fit all proposition. And of course, many differing tastes and preferences. Some want a speaker to add plenty of bass and or have a hot top end. A pair of Tannoys I have push the mid frequencies, and they are nice for some music. But if one wants true accuracy, detail and resolution without coloring the sound, many brands need not apply.
The trick is finding speakers that inspire you, and then getting electronics that compliment them. For accuracy and an ability to recreate the most difficult instruments without getting harsh sounding, Ascend with the Raal tweeter is one option. The fact that they operate outside of the retail system seems to trouble some greatly.
I've never thought that any speaker brand is a one size fit all proposition. And of course, many differing tastes and preferences. Some want a speaker to add plenty of bass and or have a hot top end. A pair of Tannoys I have push the mid frequencies, and they are nice for some music. But if one wants true accuracy, detail and resolution without coloring the sound, many brands need not apply.
The trick is finding speakers that inspire you, and then getting electronics that compliment them. For accuracy and an ability to recreate the most difficult instruments without getting harsh sounding, Ascend with the Raal tweeter is one option. The fact that they operate outside of the retail system seems to trouble some greatly.