Paradigm or Monitor Audio's?? Any thoughts?

Agree with Aball. I've auditioned both and prefer the 40s. But, my tastes tend toward the smooth and neutral, maybe a tiny bit laid back. Both are good speakers. The Monitors are just a little brighter and forward. It's a matter of personal preference since any speaker is imperfect so you have to balance trade-offs. Good luck.

Paradigm and PSB are both wonderful values. Most of the Canadian speaker brands are not only first-rate, but have great price/performance ratios. I agree that the Paradigm Studio 40's will serve you well, particularly at a closeout price.

I recently auditioned Paradigm Studio 20s / B&W 603s / and ended up buying Quad 21Ls (would've got the 12Ls but got a great deal from www.canadianhifi.com on the 21s)

I was completely unimpressed by the Paradigms, the B&Ws were nice, the Quad's (11Ls / 12Ls / 21Ls) were all gorgeous.

I would highly recommend auditioning some Quad's if you get the chance I also am simply running the two fronts but (and i have run 2 channel in the past for dvd movies) I am not missing my center channel for DTS movies (DD movies a bit) I cannot believe how amazing these speakers are for dispersion and all dialogue is perfectly centered its incredible.

I picked up my gorgeous piano black 21Ls for $1200 CDN.... ;) (Ask for Rob @ Canadianhifi)

Hell, my girlfriend spent the day after the purchase telling her friends how much she loved my speakers (and she's not generally into that kind of stuff)

Those are my thoughts anyways.

Both Paradigm and Monitor Audio are nice speakers and give you a lot of bang for the buck. Paradigms can be a little harder to drive
while Monitors are generally really efficient speakers.

A word of caution. The Paradigms like a good amp with lots of current. I have the Studio 100's v.2 and love them. Be aware that Paradigm has come out with the v.3 of the Studio line. If you do get them, get the real wood veneer - that is my biggest regret. If your amp is of more modest means then consider the PSB's. Although I haven't heard them I have heard that some of their line are well regarded and perhaps don't have the same amp needs as the Paradigms. Good luck. I might consider selling my 100v2's down the line and getting the v3's.