2. speakers
  3. 165433-135320

Finally found a space for the speakers I’ve been storing... and I don’t love them any more

As a younger person, I was excited to get a full surround setup anchored by Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v2’s. During that time I spotted a used pair of the well-regarded Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v2’s on Craigslist for a good price and I snapped them up. I got more power in order to drive those speakers, but soon realized that they were physically too large for my small space and pushing them up against the rear walls didn’t do them any favors. I sadly put them into storage and dreamed of the day that I would get a bigger place that would accommodate them. 

That day finally came and I recently moved into a new home where I have a 16x20x12’ room where I can place the speakers. I was excited to set them up, only to find that I’m disappointed by them.

Here’s what happened: at the same time as I was able to set up the Studio 100’s, I bought a pair of used Revel Performa3 M106’s to put in my small media room and I loved them! The clarity and imaging of the little bookshelf speakers were, to my ears, head and shoulders better than the Studio 100’s I had been saving for so long. And I like the M106’s so much that, when I listen to the Studio 100’s, I find my ears seeking out the details that the M106’s produce. Don’t get me wrong, the Studio 100’s are still nice and they obviously have more effortless and impactful bass, but they don’t produce that sense of transparency and detail that the Revels do, and which I’m finding that I’m really delighted by time after time.

The Studio 100 v2’s are driven by an Adcom GFA 7805 and the M106’s are powered by an Anthem MRX720 receiver. It’s not a fair comparison — the Revel bookshelfs are almost 15 years newer — but I do like them so much more than the Paradigm towers.

I’m sure some of you can relate to finally getting what you’ve always wanted, only to discover that your tastes have evolved. At this point, I’m probably going to part with the Studio 100’s I’ve long wished to enjoy and look for a pair of Revel F208’s (or maybe F228be’s, if I can swing it).

What would you do?
mhsu

Showing 2 responses by douglas_schroeder

douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Hi, mhsu. You are saying, "The Studio 100 v2’s are driven by an Adcom GFA 7805 and the M106’s are powered by an Anthem MRX720 receiver. It’s not a fair comparison..."

Correct; if you have not used the Paradigm speakers with both amplifiers, then you do not have a more thorough understanding of how the two speakers compare. This is doubly true if you have different cables and sources in the two systems. Used in different systems, it would be expected that the sound will vary widely.

Before making a final decision, switch the speakers around, pairing them with the other electronics, just to know. My guess is you will get something completely different than you may like even better. It may not be practical to keep the systems set up that way, but It will inform your decision on what to do next. It would be not so happy a moment to buy new speakers to replace the Paradigm set, then discover that the electronics and cables were influencing the speakers! I would want to know before spending the money.

If you don’t wish to be bothered doing that, then just guess, as you were. No one here can tell you the precise outcome and which would be most favored. Now, if you have already done the comparison using the other amps, you are done, and know what you’re after.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
mhsu, superb outcome shaping up for you! You were wise to reproach mixing up the gear in order to learn that every system is discrete, and that amps, cables - all of it influences outcome, and speakers are not as determinative to the outcome as one might think. 

I recommend trying all practical combinations of gear because of the potential for an unexpected outcome. One simply does not know precisely how the system will shape up, and the only way to know is to build it. Assuming to know can cause you to miss a great outcome. Remember, all systems, regardless of the speakers, can be elevated many times. There is no practical limit to performance improvements. 

Another recommendation; prior to making a big move with speakers, consider not only which of the two you will keep, but consider whether an entirely different genre of speaker may be more exciting as a next adventure. i.e. Horn, Horn Hybrid, Panel, Panel Hybrid, Dynamic Hybrid, Line Array, Omnidirectional, Full Range, etc. All of these present an entirely different experience that none of the others can copy entirely. If you wish, there are vast differences from the prototypical dynamic speakers. 

I am reviewing now a speaker that has characteristics that I have not encountered previously, imo a new genre of speaker. The exploration of a new experience can be perceptually different/better. 
More to discover