Play along. Look into Tascam trainers, CD players/headphone. The ability to loop sections in itself is worth the $200 cost. Effects, tuning (for string players), is simply icing on the cake, and it's portable. Obviously, you can't plug your drums in but with some open back phones this is a great aid in learning covers quickly.
I've owned v.1's and 2's. I auditioned in home v.3's and S8's. In my room the v.2's were a clear winner. I was powering them with a moded PS Audio HCA-2. I've since sold the Paradigm's to a neighbor who borrowed the HCA but has since replaced it with a McIntosh 401. Even though the Paradigm's are an easy load they really come alive with more power. Tilting them back and using a tallish listening chair can help their focus. I used Avalon Acoustics method of speaker placement as a starting point.
I've owned v.1's and 2's. I auditioned in home v.3's and S8's. In my room the v.2's were a clear winner. I was powering them with a moded PS Audio HCA-2. I've since sold the Paradigm's to a neighbor who borrowed the HCA but has since replaced it with a McIntosh 401. Even though the Paradigm's are an easy load they really come alive with more power. Tilting them back and using a tallish listening chair can help their focus. I used Avalon Acoustics method of speaker placement as a starting point.