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What is next after Paradigm Studio S-40

I had a simple and nice system 3 months ago: Pioneer F-705 CD player, Rotel pre/power - 960BX and Paradigm Studio S-40 speakers.
I decided to upgrage the system and now I have: Bryston BP-25 preamp, Bryston 3B-ST power amp and Arcam CD-72 CD player. It seems that my speakers are the weakest link in this system.
What speakers would you suggest to try? I have already tried Totem Mani-2 (too dry and flat unless you put very expensive wires), PMC LB2 and FB1 - I did not like bass and soundstage.
Paradigms sound great and this is the sort of sound I like.
So, what is similar to Paradigm sound (open with good mid-bass) but more detailed and acurate? Or may be I need to upgrade cables? (I have audioquest Slate speakers cables and Audioquest Coral interconnects).
Thanks, I appeciate your time.
danieldobrovetsky
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
I would have to agree...the studios are hard to surpass...let alone for the money...they are surprisingly transparent...I would suggest Maggies with the Bryston which my dealer has and is a killer combo...but if you already have stands with the studio 40s...I would suggest sticking with a full range monitor...the only real weakness of the Paradigms is their treble can come across a bit "hot" for my tastes...for a smoother presentation...Quad 12L, Von Shiekwert vr-1, Reference 3a di Cappos....etc...all use fabric tweeters...and avoid the "zingy" sound of metallic tweets...
aball
2,018 posts
 
The "zingy" highs can be easily cured with a good amp. I have heard harsh highs from the 100.2s before but mine are sublime - more perfect than I could have hoped for actually. Called dumb luck - the deciding factor in audio ;). Arthur
jsawhitlock
302 posts
 
Martin Logans!
Happy Listening
aram
98 posts
 
Try Studio 100..Paradigm is really good..if you have better electronics they get better all the time..also it depends on how much money you have..VMPS RM-40 is also good but more expensive than the Studio 100..
subaruguru
1,376 posts
 
The Paradigms' failings to me are always about an inherently second-class midrange. Top octaves can be tamed with positioning and room treatment, and bottom octave is a function of that plus the size you buy. No quarrel with Paradigm's bang-for-the-buck bottom end, as MDF is essentially free in Canada, and they make good woofers.
I started my search a few years ago with the 20 and 40, and quickly became enamored of better midrange drivers, especially when care in pair-matching is well-performed.
For under $2k the two favorites of mine are the Spendor S3/1p for a warmer spectral tilt (casual listening, lively room, FM and HT...and women!), or the Revel M20 for a more linear, high-rez spectral tilrt that demands better components. At paradigm's price-point they just cannot pair-match and still give you that much bass, and again , their forte is NOT a super-pure midband like Spendor, Harbeth, Revel, and a few others I'm sure other guys will mention. Depends what you want. Rock the house? The Studio 100. Sublime tonal honesty? Look elsewhere....
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