Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Paradigm Studio/80 Speakers by kirklin

Model:	Studio/80
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,800.00/pr.
Description:	8
Manufacturer URL:	Paradigm
Model Picture:	View

Review by kirklin on November 15, 2003 at 08:24:22
IP Address: 12.12.197.70

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for the Studio/80

Beautiful speakers! ! ! Both physically and musically - keeping their price in mind (1800/pr ?). I initally was impressed with the solidity of their build. The old practice of "knocking-on-the-sides" was pointless (but a good beginning indicator). I have the real wood (veneer?) sides - for aesthetic purpuses. Sound - ACCURATE! ! ! Many refer to them as neutral, and I must agree; they will put out exactly what you put into them, so be careful. They will not bring out: treble, bass, mids, etc. They have impressed me with their ability to emphasize any part of music. They've impressed me with their ability to reproduce what I give them. As for the problem with leveling them ("the ugly toes") I screwed the feet complete in and use good-grade carpet under them. When I messed-around with my level, they were close enough for my blessing. :) I use them for both music and movies (70/30). I am also running Studio 40's (rears). They were initially my "front/mains" - can't quite answer why I didn't go with another pair of them to run both front and back. They are phenominal ! ! ! ! - through and through. I compare the two like: Whitney Houston and her mother Cissy, or Gerald Levert and his father - my point though the younger/smaller are great in their own right, the older/larger are a little more refined. (If you don't like those artist, substitute your own - the point remains the same).
I too compared them BW604's. It was an interesting comparision. The BW's sounded great in their own right, but . . . I ran both speakers side by side, and the Paradigms captured ME. I have nothing bad to say about the other speakers; they just didn't do it for me - not if my money was paying for them. Technically - I usually avoid that arena, because it creates more debates than anything else - my ears are most technical advisors - as should be anyone looking for speakers (or anything sending a signal to speakers). A terrific speaker! Last, as for the music I put through them - my passion is jazzy r&b (Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Raphael Saadiq, Aretha Franklin,Seal, BeBe Winans, etc, but . . .I branch in all directions: Annie Lennox, Kathy Mattea,Collin Raye, YoYo Ma, Bobby McFarin, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, etc). Because of my music taste, the variety of types I listen to, I believe I've given the Studio 80's a fair evaluation. They handled everything I through at them with ease and confidently. Similar to my BMW 328i. It does everything well. Are their better cars out there - of course! Worse - definitely! But for what I want - all around performance for a reasonable price - I couldn't go wrong.

Product Weakness: Not made for small rooms
Product Strengths: Does everything well! Is not musically bias (if there's such a thing) :)

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Parasound HCA-2200
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Using my DSP-A1's pre-outs
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Yamaha CDX-1120 and Denon DCM-560
Speakers:	Paradigm Studio 80v2
Cables/Interconnects:	Monster, some special spkr wire the audio shop RAVED about, and some self made items
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	any and all types (Old Motown, Old classical, Gospel, Country, and
Room Size (LxWxH):	17' x 14' x 9'
Room Comments/Treatments:	good grade carpet on floor, sound panels on walls and celling ( a room dedicated for music and movies)
Time Period/Length of Audition:	18months - EVERYDAY (all day if I can) :)
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	none as of now
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	Paradigm Studio 80v2 Paradigm Studio 40v2 Yamaha DSP-A1 Yamaha CDX-1120 Denon DCM-560 Sony NC600 Mitusbishi Diamond(ver) 53" ADC profession equalizer (I like to watch dancing lights) - no other use for it. :)

Product Weakness:	Not made for small rooms
Product Strengths:	Does everything well! Is not musically bias (if there's such a thing) :)