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Paradigm 100 v.3 – B&W 804 dilemma… please help

I was almost set to buy Paradigm 100 v.3 after auditioning them (well I auditioned 60’s and just assumed that the 100s will be better) last week but auditioned some B&W 804’s speakers today and now I am CONFUSED!

The B&W 804’s sounded really good. Clear and smooth but was powered by an 80 watt amp whereas the Paradigms were powered by a 200 watt Sunfire amp. Thus, I need to ask for advice from you experts again. How good are the Paradigm 100 v.3 compared to B&W 804? Has anyone auditioned for these two speakers and which one did you end up getting… why? I read somewhere that the Paradigm 100 v.3 are as good as the high end B&W Nautilus line. Is this true?

Additional question… what system would be better for 70% movies 30% movies system
1) Paradigm 100’s and studio cc + 20 side surrounds + studio cc rear
2) B&W 804 fronts and nautilus HTM 2 center + B&W CM or 600 series bookshelf speakers for my surrounds and rear.

Finally… for people who are familiar with B&W. How big is the difference between 804 and CDM 9NT?

Thanks
doodleboytoyb266
oskarthedog2000ebd0
3 posts
 
If you are looking for a clean, refined speaker, go with the B&W's. The Paradigms, while a great bargain, are outclassed by the speakers in the Nautilus series and the CDM 9NT.

If you are looking to "jam out with some kickin', phat bass" follow the advise of the previous two posts or go with some Cerwin Vegas with a 15 inch Bass driver.
aball
2,016 posts
 
By the way, "kickin phat bass" is good - especially when you can have all the rest as well. Arthur
doodleboytoyb266 OP
20 posts
 
Grr... I am dying to hear the studio 100s v.3 but the dealer over here wont get them until end Aug. Just frustrated because I cannot do a side by side unlike you guys from North America :(

In any case, here is one additional question. Will the 804's timbre match with 601 surrounds? If I go with the 804 I wont have the budget for two pairs of 805's for my surround speakers and will go with the smaller 601's. I reckon they will work well because the use the same 6.5" kevlar midrange or am I mistaken?

How important are rear channels? I havent tried SACD or surround DVD's nor do I have the machine to play the SACD.

Finally... just wondering how old are the 804's? Have they been in market for a long time. It will just feel bad if B&W changes models after I buy a set. Besides, I might have plans to udgrade my rear to 805's in the future.

My room is 18 x 21 will a 7.1 system work since I might position the fronts far from the wall to get better depth for stereo.

Thanks again!
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 
For the same money (USD), I personally preferred the sound of the B&W Nautilus 805 + a REL Strata III sub over the Nautilus 804.

B&W N804 ($3500 USD) = $3500
B&W N805 ($2000 USD) + REL Strata III ($1500 USD) = $3500

FWIW, I drive (4) N805, (1) HTM-2, and a REL Strata III with a Rotel RMB-1095 / RSP-1066 setup.
oskarthedog2000ebd0
3 posts
 
Aball,
I guess that's where our taste in music and speakers differ. I like clean, tight bass with no distortion or muddiness.

However, in my college days I probably would have prefered the Paradigm's (My taste in music was different then). These days I listen to mostly jazz and classical so I look for a more refined speaker. Plus, teaching and performing music is my only source of income and my ears are spoiled.
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