Something wrong with the Studio 100 v.2?


Through many listening secessions over the last 5 months, I've tried very hard to love the Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.2. But the sound I heard did not align with much of the articulate and glowing praise found here on Audiogon. Nonetheless, I was determined to buy a used pair here on Audiogon, but couldn't find a realistic deal (shipping is usually a killer). You may be wondering why would I buy 100’s if the sound were unsatisfactory? Simply, I'm unwilling to spend the money required to buy a full-range speaker like the Natilus 804 or Proac 2.5, both of which I've listened to extensively and like very much. Also, I have a 6-month-old daughter and don't want to be paranoid about her banging into $3500-$4500 speakers when she begins to walk about.

So I went back to the dealer yesterday determined to buy a new pair of 100 v.2. But after listening to a variety of material for about an hour, I was again disappointed. What I heard was booming, bloated, poorly controlled bass and a compressed sound stage (front-to-back). And after about 45 minutes, serious listener fatigue crept in as well!

Here's my question: Is something wrong with my dealer's setup? If not, am I being totally unrealistic in my expectations of the 100's? What am I missing here? Are my ears broken? Help!

Here's the dealer's current setup: Denon DVD-3800 (also used Sony 9000ES), Anthem AVM 20 v2.08, Anthem MCA 50, Audioquest Coral or Anaconda (couldn't quite see), unknown speaker cables.
horn_blower
Many of you seem to forget about synergy. Not any speaker goes with any amp/pre. You have to search for a balance which takes effort sometimes. Personally I find my Paradigm 100.2s to sound best with McIntosh - one of the smoothest sounds I have heard in any system. However, they were harsh with my previous Krells so be careful when you make generalizations based on a single audition.
THE BETTER THE ELECTRONICS, THE BETTER THR PARADIGM 100 V.2'S SOUND.If you aren't using top-notch front-ends, preamps, amps, and cables with these speakers you are cheating yourself.You will never realize their full potential.
I'll add my 2¢ and agree with my fellow posters who mention the better upstream electronics. I also had a problem with bass boominess that was cured with positioning. Stage depth is actually very good with mine, no disappointment there. I currently have an MCA 20 and will upgrade it down the road as did Bld63. Because of the power requirements of these speakers you will need a top notch amp and pre. Cabling very important as well. I think the MCA line of amps from Anthem are a little boomy to begin with because they are designed for home theater and everyone does seem to like their explosions and such. Still, not too bad an amp especially with the right speakers. I did audition the 100's against the CDM9NT's and preferred the 100's overall but the 9NT's had better treble owing to their superior tweeter.