looking for advice on bookshelf speakers

I'm sensitive to high frequencies as well. Aerial 5's, Spendor and Harbeth are may favourites - you might also consider Cardas cabling. Not sure what your are using now, brands like Kimber, Nordost and Audience can brighten up a system to the point of pain sensitivity.

The Paradigms are definitely on the lean/bright side of things. Not surprised you are having a problem.

Integrated amps from Exposure and Rega would suit you, if you head in that direction. Tubes obviously are another alternative.

I'm using Cardas cables, tube integrated and Harbeths. Lots of detail with absolutely no fatigue.

I am using Kimber Kable Hero interconnects. MIT AVT 1 speaker cable. I have a PSE studio 2 amp and PSE studio l linestage . along with a NAD integrated and a Van Alstine omega 3 amp . I will be selling all of those to fund a new/used integratd .

Meiwan , what line of the cardas products do you recommend ? my comfort level for price is :$100-300 for speaker cables and up to $200 for ic's (used prices).It's funny you mention exposure, as last night i was also recommended that brand from a guy i bought a NAD piece from.

Cardas Neutral Reference would suit. Might be just slightly over your price point.

Cross would be your price point used. Depending on the amp/speaker combo, you might find it a little too full bodied, or maybe just right????

The Exposure 3010s2 is very nice - lots of body and texture. Not particularly 'airy', but certainly easy on the ears.

How about a full range driver with no tweeter?

I really like the mids and bass response of the paradigms. A new pair of silk tweete are around $90 from partsexpress. That would be a huge money saver if they are compatible.

Well that may work but I really doubt it. I say that because crossovers and cabinets are voiced to the drivers.

I recently purchased a pair of Dynaudio 1.3SEs which use a soft dome tweeter but I found I kept turning the volume down. They really bothered my ears. Oddly enough, I'm currently listening to the Dynaudio Focus 110s and seriously keep turning them up. Go figure.
What I have found is a good speaker makes me want to turn the volume up. Not because the speakers don't sound good at low volume, but because they sound so good I just want to hear more.

Timrhu Wow your the first person I ever heard that prefers the sound of a lower line in the Dynaudio product lineup.
As a Dyn owner I agree that turning them up because you want more. With the new focus series out there is a good possibility the dealer may have some good pricing on used.

I'm driving my C1's with an Octave V70SE tube integrated (great synergy). With most tube integrated/amps you can swap out different brands and types of tubes to change the sound without having to buy new electronics. That being said I will admit some tubes can cost as much as some would spend on electronics. A couple of things to think about before making the plunge into tubes. You want something that easily allows you to adjust the bias or auto bias (note with auto bias you may be limited on the number of different types of tubes you can use). Second would be a good protection circuitry because tubes will fail and when they do you don't want it to take out other parts.

Good luck and have a safe and happy New Year