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Step me up from Paradigm Studio 20 v4 bookshelf, seriously.

I have been around here for a few years. Enjoying the game about once or twice a week. Yes I am hooked. Kind of sort of laid back on forums. Bought and sold a sizeable amount of equipment with one-hundred percent feedback. Probably a mid-fi guy. Best pair of speakers I have owned to me are Paradigms, namely Studio 60 v4 and current Studio 20 v4. Can anyone take me beyond these? Yes, a bit temperamental they are. Have never stepped up to, I guess Hi Fi speakers? Have tried Spendor 8se (too polite?), Paradigm Monitor 7 (not as good as Studio versions), Elac dbr62 (close to Paradigms but not as refined), Totem Rainmaker (maybe too small, not sure been a while back), Monitor Audio Silver 2 (kind of like Paradigms). Hooked on my Paradigm Studio 20 so far. Current system = Mid-Fi integrated (?) Rotel RA-1572, Bluesound Node 2i, Marantz SA-8004, Mhdt Orchid DAC (seriously love it), fair amount of decent cables. Like pop/rock music mainly. Integrated amps I have used: Rotel Rx-1052, Sim 340i DPX, Rotel RA-1572 (current), Musical Fidelity A3.5, NAD C368, Arcam.

Mostly into monitors/bookshelf due to room size, maybe front ported. Thinking of maybe some Spendor A1, Harbeth P3SR (or other models), Reference De Capo, Fritz?, Pro Ac?, B & W? No room treatments in my 14 by 18 room, as is fairly inert acoustically. I am an older retired audiophile (55-70). A bit of tinnitus, so nothing too bright. On Audiogon daily. Looking for some input/ideas. Lateral moves probable?

Any serious input welcome (maybe a bit of non-serious just for fun!). Love this hobby.

Thanks,

Jim


jbmac75
jbmac75 OP
193 posts
 
Recently went from 24 inch stands to 28 inch and this did help. They are filled with sand and quite heavy (Monoprice). Do not have any acoustic treatments but have considered and may do. I do not listen real loud. Mostly rock and pop.

Have also tried Whafedale Denton 80th and LSA 1. Never could get the LSA to sound as full as the Paradigms. But since I have upgraded to the Ra-1572 and tube dac that really helped. Have considered the Paradigm S2 v.3 and may do so. 

The Fritz do sound interesting and I have been reading on them. Pulsars I will need to read up on. 

I appreciate all your inputs. I like the 'Retail Therapy' comment. Could be true. Retired and may have to dip into the investment money because I can. 

@b_limo  how did the Paradigms S2 compare to the Fritz Carrera BE?

Thanks all!
jbmac75 OP
193 posts
 
Also switched from Audioquest type 4 speaker wire to Canare 4s11 about 2 months ago. Seemed to give a fuller sound and remove some brightness. Have tried bi-wire but did not see any real change.  
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,274 posts
 
Jbmac75,
Thats a tough comparison.  I can tell you that I’ve had around 30-40 pairs of speakers, I honestly don’t know how many.  Out of everything I’ve had, the S2 V3’s and Carrera BE’s have been my favorite.  

The Carreras have a more natural tone and are a little warmer.  Instruments sound more natural on the Carreras.  The main difference though is in aesthetics.  The Carreras are elegantly understated and the ‘Digms are just elegant.
Something that is nice about Fritz Speakers is that you can actually talk directly with the speaker designer / builder, Mr. Fritz.  Also, his crossovers are pretty unique.  Im not sure of anyone else using series crossovers.  Another nice thing is if I do ever blow a driver I can easily get another one.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either the S2 V3 or the Carrera BE.


jbmac75 OP
193 posts
 
One thing I Iike about the Paradigms is the front port. Think Fritz has rear port? Kinda hooked on black ash too. Silly.

Surprised no mentions of Proac, Harbeth, Spendor.

Thanks b_limo for the comparison.
mickeyb
570 posts
 
Check out a pair of music culture rl-21s on usaudio. They are magnificent sounding small loudspeakers. I heard a pair at Rmaf years ago. Blew my mind. If I needed a small pair of speakers right now, I’d buy them. Best of luck 
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