Paradigm 100 vs BW CM9 vs Aperion Verus vs KEFQ900

Jedinite24:
If you're still in touch with Audiogon since this thread first appeared, I’ve found the CJ Classic Sixty amp(fitted with Valvo, Mullard and Amperex tubes) to be a very enjoyable match with the Kef Q900s.

I've got to chime in here about the paradigms since I have lived with them for quite some time now. I've found that you have to have a nice amp / pre amp / source / cables and speakers that are very well broken in and then they do sound great. Take any of those factors away and they really can leave you feeling cold about them. I disliked my various studio models 10's, 20's, 60's, back to 20's all v.5) more than I liked them until I got everything right, now I really am enjoying them. They do need a couple hundred hours break in time before the highs mellow out and it's easier to end up with an overly bright sound if everything in your system isn't just right, but once you get it right, you end up with a very detailed sound. I wouldn't be suprised if they got rated as one of the hardest speakers to set up properly, and that is a big nick against them, but once set-up properly, they do sound good. I'm sure one day i'll build another system that will sound great also but just in different ways.

I listened to Paradigm studios (mid-$3K range) and B&W CM9's at one dealer, and was left unimpressed. Listened to PSB Imagine T2's at another dealer and loved them. Went back a few weeks later, after playing with my old Infinity's and adding a sub, and found the Imagine T2's to feel slightly veiled (almost like my ears were slightly plugged?), and the Synchrony's were in stock, so I listened to those. Very impressed, but didn't see $3500/5500 improvement over my Infinity. If I didn't have any speakers, the T2's would probably be it, although I'd aim for an in-home trial of both to decide. Paradigms and B&W left me cold, honestly.

To Jetinite24. I had listened to the kefs q900s with three different amps. First an anthem Int and Sherbourne p160 with tube pre also a Teac 200 plus watt Int amp. The Teac was the best match of the three.

I have studio 20's and it's been a love / hate relationship. If you go paradigm, make sure the rest of your gear is laid back and have plenty of power, otherwise they will be bright bordering harsh. I finally got mine to sound right after I got the right components. I have a classe ca-150 pushing them and they still could use more juice. I plan on getting another classe ca-150 to run them bridged.

To be honest, at the time I didn't know what a speaker was supposed to do so when I compared my Paradigm 100's v1 and v2 in the store they seemed to put out more of everything.

In hindsight the more of everything was actually horrible cohesiveness. As soon as I replaced them their shortcomings became very apparent. This may sound snobbish but it's actually a plea to suggest saving up for some quality used speakers. There aren't many budget speakers that sound right because it simply takes higher quality parts to do the job.

Ask around about PSB Synchrony's. I've only heard them once in a bad environment.

I have heard the paradigm and b&w cm9 (owned the 703) in casual demos and liked the paradigms better. They had more bass punch and felt more open (less contested and restrained). The highs were a hair harsh but the B&Ws were nothing to write home about either. You can do better than B&W lower end line for the same money.

You could try thiel and PSB off of Crutchfield. They have a 30 return policy. Read the fine print, not sure if it is for large speakers.

I would add Ushers to your list too.

Hi Oldcar63

When you were at your dealer and noted your findings what amplification did they use on the KEF Q900s? I keep thinking the Q900s need some quality power to really get the most out of them.

I have listened to paradigm and kefs at same dealer and the b&ws at a different dealer. I found the kefs to be the better sound of those three. I have never heard the aperion line. I found the kefs to be the most dynamic with wide open stage good detail with out being analytical. The paradigms had good specific imaging but a bit cold in midrange and less extension in bass. The b&ws sounded a bit veiled somewhat dry and highs not so natural. Maybe this can help some. Good luck