Are the Paradigm Founder Series really, really good speakers?

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

Thanks @mahler123.  Was trying to ensure you didn't listen to the big self powered ones ($4k ea) vs. the smaller ones. My guess is you heard SF Sonetto, similar $$.  

These are sneaking into my consciousness as an upgrade option, same notion as you.  I could spend more but learning I may not need to.  Also chasing the same rear port fix you mentioned.  Good luck, keep us posted.  

The dealer that played me the founder 120's also played a $2500 pair of Dali's that were impressive at the price.

I have not been impressed with any Paradigms I've heard.

The Founder 100's are amazing, I demod them for a few hours and was blown away by them. They honestly have me 2nd guessing my Paradigm Tributes that I use for my front left/right. At ~5k for the pair its a no brainer when comparing to 10k pairs, I can see them undercutting the lower end persona models on bang for buck(the personas are better...but are they really 10-12k better?).

I'm not sure the founders center channel 90c(which I own)is better than the cc-690 v5(which I also own), the highs/mids are definitely better on the 90c but the 690 digs juuuust a little bit deeper which I notice on deeper baritone voices in movies. The 690 also has a much beefier enclosure, like 35lbs heavier over the founders. The founders is gorgeous with the grills on or off.  

I also demod the founders 40B(bookshelf stand mounts) as my rear 6th and 7th channel in my system for a month, which were replacing my studio 40 v3. They had a cleaner upper range, but I thought they were a bit underwhelming in the lower end, the studios were for sure a better all around speaker, but if you crossover at 80hz I didn't really notice much of a difference between the two, and the 40Bs just seemed quieter/smaller vs the 40s. The founders bookshelfs again were absolutely gorgeous though with the grills off. 

Hope that helps?