Paradigm Studio 100's: Version 2 vs. Version 3

Hi! I owned V.2 and now I own V.3 (100's., 20's and 470 cc). The most obvious difference is a better midrange, it's less "obscured" by the bass and in my opinion the drivers are better integrated. Bass is first rate. Amasing soundstage- speakers are simply acoustically invisible. Mine are not fully broken-in yet,appr. 100 hrs. so far.
Assocoated equipment:
Sony DVP NS999ES
Bryston SP-1.7
Anthem MCA-50
Audio Power Industries PowerWedge 114
IC's, speaker cables and power cords- are all Signal Cable
Black Diamond Racing Cones Mk.III under CDP and Pre-Pro (really took care of some high frequency brightness and improved definition). Sorry for the limited review. Regards.

How much more expensive are the v3's compared to the v2's? I have the v2's and while quite happy with them am always looking for a little more. Still sorry I didn't get the real wood sides on mine. Is the bass extension any lower than the v2's?

The new V3 does not go as los as the V2..if you check their website it says low frequency extension is 24 hz..it used to be 24 hz for V2..this is understandable because the woofers are 1" smaller..the bass might actually be tighter but it definitely does not go as low as the V2..
What I don't like with the V3 is the weight..The speaker has lost some 17 kg..I don't understand that..from V1 to V2 the weight gain was significant..it was heavy bracing..now the weight has gone down again..no heavy bracing..

But the new version has three woofers with a total surface area of 115.4 sq. inches vs. the v2's area of 100.5 sq. inches. I've just checked an old brochure and the v2 low frequency extension is listed as 25Hz. On axis response is +/- 2dB from 39Hz to 22kHz. The v3 is listed as low extension of 28Hz and on axis response of +/-2dB from 44Hz to 22kHz. Based on this information I would conclude that the v2 will play slightly deeper though the v3 may well have tighter bass due to the smaller drivers. The v3 should move more air due to the larger surface area of the woofers. What confuses me is that the old v2 was well regarded in most reviews excepting the lowest of bass. I would have thought that they would have extended the low bass down far enough that a sub wouldn't be necessary. Then too this may be because they want you to buy the signature series speaker if they ever show up in stores. As to the weight: the new speakers are 4cm shorter front to back and side to side each as well as .8cm shorter height. This coupled with likely less internal bracing probably accounts for the lighter weight. At any rate I don't think I'd trade my v2's in for the v3's. I am waiting to see what all the fuss about the Signature Series is about though.

I wish the V3 had four of 7" woofers instead of three..now then it would be a world class speaker.Their new Signature S8 has that design..it has four 7" woofers..but it is expensive..Rumour is that it is going to be around 6 000 USA$..Aerial has the same design with their new Model 9(it has four 7" woofers) but then it is too expensive too; 8 000 USA$..
I would not think of using a sub with V1 or V2 but with V3, I would think of using one which is etremely musical..

Were any changes made to the tweeter or HF crossover? How do the high's compare?

I sold my sub when I got the 100 v3. Don't need it. OTD $2000.00 pair

I have V2,s and have heard the V3,s at my dealers. I liked the v3s as they seemed abit more refined,and tighter bass ,allthough not as low,as the v2s,the tighter bass makes music sound better to my ears.

I just sold my Studio 100v2's in favor of the Studio 100 v3's and I believe the v3's to be much more articulate in the mid and upper octaves. Don't be fooled by the bottom end ratings on these v3's either. My experience with the v3's tells me that although they may not be rated to go as "low" as the v2's they certainly make "more" bass in the octaves they do produce and the bass in the v3's is much more refined(tight). With appropriate amplification only rap and or heavy metal fans would be disappointed in the bass reproduction of the v3's. as for the rest of the spectrum of sound they produce,EVERYONE will be ALOT HAPPIER with the v3's.(IMHO)ENJOY THE MUSIC!!

BTW, I noticed one post that stated the weight loss of 17 kg from the v2's to the v3's. That amount (17kg) would definitely be for the PAIR, not one speaker...

Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v3 Review from a Dilettante Audiophile

I am just now breaking in a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v3's - I am greatly impressed with the sound! Without question, they have improved as I have played them incessantly during the past two weeks. I have been returning to informal "reference recordings" that I played when the speakers were right out of the box, the sound is considerably more open, the base much better refined. In particular a favorite period instrument, chamber orchestra recording that has been very challenging for home playback has developed much more robust and balanced base sound. The subtle medium sized sound stage of this recording, defined placement of instruments as played is the best I have ever heard. (Corelli - Concerti Grossi Op. 6 1-6 & 7-12; harmonia mundi HMU 907015) Acoustic piano recordings on these speakers are excellent. The engineering for off axis dispersion (like pianos in a room) makes the sound reproduction very realistic on all recordings but listening to a Diana Krall Impulse recording, bass, piano, vocals only, has elicited comments like "flawless". (Diana Krall , Love Scenes; Impulse IMPD 233) The speakers work great on large orchestral pieces, again great sound stage with furniture rattling base and reproduction of timpani and base drum booms. They are equally righteous with rock and roll, blasting Hendrix, Sonja Dada or Wide Spread Panic nails the screaming guitar wizard solo thing. Their ability to reach the depth of the commonly used "synth-base" on pop recordings can be literally startling. Finally, the speakers have enhanced playback of my vinyl collection. They enhance the mid-range response and coherency of well engineered original jazz recording, especially well miked trap drum sets. (ie Sonny Rollins Quartet, Saxophone Colossus; Fantasy OJC 291; 1956, Rudy Van Gelder engineering) An A/B demo of a newly HDCD re-mastered Joni Mitchell release with the original mid-70's vinyl version was a stark example of an LP smoking a good CD. The base decayed more naturally, the vocals rode above the instruments much more convincingly. Maybe it was the re-master job? (Joni Mitchell, The Hissing of Summer Lawns; Asylum 7E 1051; 1975)

My comparison shopping for these speakers consisted of listening to the Thiel CS 1.6 and 2.4, Linn systems and smaller Paradigm Reference models. The most serious contender was the Thiel 2.4, but they just did not provide the sonic revelations that I was expecting for 4 large. And they sucked amp power like water. A switch from a 550 watt per channel to 150 watt per channel amp during the demo sealed their fate - I could hear a difference in clarity right away and 150 is much closer to my system capabilities. The Linn speaker line while beautiful forces you into the price stratosphere for "full-range" sound reproduction.

So risking withering fire from the "real" audiophiles prowling hereabouts, my current system list (as it should be, my Italian sports car and sailing yacht successfully compete for interest and dollars):

AR EB 101 turntable
Sure V15 MR Type 5 cartridge
NAD 541i CD player
NAD c270 amp
Advent Model 300 preamp/tuner
Audio Quest cables amp/preamp connections
Mapleshade Clearview Double Helix speaker wire (bi-wired)
Mapleshade equipment mounting tweaks

Finally, I have been intrigued by discussions comparing the v2 and v3. So with the Signature series the Reference Studio series has been knocked off the Paradigm flagship perch! I too wonder about the apparent loss of some weight assuming that its due to slightly smaller width and the "loss" of mass from real veneer rather than the applique on the v3. I have also read the slight difference in base extension measurement, at these frequencies, how much differentiation is possible by the human ear? A tighter, more accurate bass response in the real world (ie living room) environment that these are used in seems more important to me. I wonder if Paradigm technical and sales information for dealers addresses these matters? If so, I would like to hear or see it. Any other opinions on these matters?