Are the Paradigm Founder Series really, really good speakers?

With semi active speakers you have some flexibility with placement and components, I get it. Paradigm offers a lot for the money no doubt, but dynaudio makes some semi actives also and if you want to be sure you’re doing the right thing listen to the competition. 

I listened to a floorstander in their range yesterday for an hour in a dealer yesterday.  Forgot the model number but it was priced just under 4 K.  I currently use B&W 803D, which cost me about 9K 15 years ago.  There is nothing wrong with my current speakers but I just want a change after all this time.  I was figuring on at least 15K to get something that I could live with but I was amazed at these Founders, which also have a more favorable footprint for my room and aren’t rear ported, which is my biggest issue with the B&Ws.  I’ve just started looking, but I’m wondering what other value for money speakers are out there.

@mahler123 did you happen to listen to anything else in the same session?  Curious if you have any comparisons.  Also was that $4K per or for the pair?  

The small floor standers are 80s 3500 a pair and they are unbelievable for that price

Theonitors need to be on stands close to a rear wall to sound their best when setup well the monitors are very good

Dave and troy
AUDIO INTELLECT NJ
PARADIGM DEALERS

I listened to a pair of Sonus Faber , again can’t remember the model name but around the same price and size, and thought they were a bit small scaled and colored.  And I agree with Audiotroy, the Founder 80s seem like a steal