Speakers to compare to Paradigm Studio 100 V.3


I am getting ready to build a stereo/surround system and I really like the sound of the Paradigm studio 100's. I would be getting the full set (5 speakers + 15" servo sub... the recommended system on the paradigm website). Are there some other brands i should consider at this same price point ($5500 - for the set of 5 and the sub)? The speakers will be used as 2 channel stereo the majority of the time, with surround being not as important. Power comes from a Denon 3803 for now until i can add an adcom or rotel 2 channel for the 100's.
jamesboutcher3c71
Paradigm speakers are a good value and a good all around speaker. When I owned them I never found the bass "boxy". The only thing was. they always sounded like two speakers. I never knew what precise stereo imaging and soundstaging was until I stepped up. You can get a better speaker used for about what you'll pay for these new. I liked the vandersteen suggestion and the vienna acoustics line really impressed me as well. If you have a big room I would look at Dunlavy.
I agree with the idea of Vandersteen 3a Sigs. I have the Vandy's at home, but have spent a substantial amount of time listening to the Paradigms at the store while auditioning CD players recently. I'm not going to beat around the bush: the Vandys are clearly better.
Quad 21L or 22L both will easily better the Paradigm in imaging, clarity, neutrality, detail, and has one of the sexiest midranges around. Both dig deep, the 22L deeper.
I'll second what Timo suggested. The PSB's sound phenomenal. I didn't buy these only because of the low WAF regarding their looks. Big, black boxes. They sounded better than the CDM9's I ended up with for the same money. The Paradigm's are nice too. I liked the B&W's a little better. I haven't heard any of the others mentioned. Spend far more for the fronts than for the rest. These guys' ideas are right on regarding that.