Choosing Paradigm reference 40's v 2&3, 60's v 2&3

V2 and V3 are sonically very similar. The v3s may be a bit smoother where the v2 a little more forward in the treble. The 40s image better than the 60s but obviously have less authority at the bottom. All the Studio series offer a lot for the money. IMO they are a solid buy. You will need a good front end and authoritative amplification to bring out their best.

Comparing Paradigm studios to Signature B & Ws is not exactly apples to apples. Not only are the Sigs sonically superior they are many many times more expensive. You would be better served auditioning the CDM or 700 series from B & W. However, they will be approx. 25% to 50% more expensive than similar Paradigm studios, but nowhere near as expensive as the Sigs.

If your budget runs from B & W Sigs to Paradigm studios…there are tons of great speakers to chose from. Silverline, Dynaudio, Meadowlark, Soliloqy, Von Schweikert, Joseph Audio, Green Mountain, etc. etc.

Listen to as many as you can.

Gmood1,

Patricia Barber's CD's sound fantastic with all those notes from the Acoustic Bass which Michael Arnopol plays. I am sure you are familiar with her music.

One of the most dynamic recording I heard on these was Keb Mo's Slow Down particularly the 3rd track. This particular CD has the bass slam which can shake and rattle ones bones. Overall an excellent recording.

I would be very curious to know what your opinion is once you have heard them after the break-in period is over. I read somewhere that LS3/5A' take five years to break-in to sound right I cannot be sure as mine are 1978 models. Do you think they have broken-in? LOL

Happy Listening.

Quadophile,

It's funny you mention those cds.I own both and have listened to them with the 20s.They really do justice to these recordings.Well...I figured if I liked them before complete breakin.I will love them after they have loosened up!The new pair just came in today.So they will get the breakin they deserve.

I admit I have bashed Paradigm a time or two in the past.But after owning speakers nearly 4 times the cost of these.I can honestly say they didn't give me 4 times the perfomance!
It is hard to judge a speaker unless you can do it at home and hear how your room interacts with them.I'am glad I gave these a chance and brought them home.I see nor hear a need to spend more on a monitor!

Yeah, Quad I think those LS3/5As are broken in now!
HeeHeeHeeHaHa

Happy Listening!

Gmood1,

You switched from speakers 4 times the price, I switched from Maggies to Paradigms. We both seem to like the sound, what does that prove? Someone once said, "Building a no cost speaker to sound good is one thing but building a budget speaker to sound good is an engineering feat".

You may be right my LS3/5a's must be broken-in by now.

You must have come across many places that listening with your own ears is important, but, listening in your own environment holds the key, which in fact is the ultimate test of any equipment you plan to get for yourself.

I hope you are enjoying them, and hopfully even more so once you get them to complete the initial break-in period.

Keep spinning those great albums you have!

Happy Listening!