What is next after Paradigm Studio S-40

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

Martin Logans!
Happy Listening

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..

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....

I would put the Quad 12L in the same breath as SPendor and Revel monitors...not as dark or forgiving as Spendors...more in common with the uncolored, high definition sound of Revel...but a very open, coherent, and dynamic midrange...and less than half the price...Quad 11Ls are very nice for smaller rooms...I would also agree with Subaruguru...if you are going to upgrade...might as well do it right