Paradigm vs Dali vs PMC


Hi I posted a thread earlier. I have narrowed down my choices to the following and wondered if anyone had any tips or experience with either. Its for a room about 17 x 17, with a Simaudio 100W I-3 amp (considered tonally neutral)....the list is

(1) PMC FB1i (a recent update on FB1+), new soft dome tweeter
(2) Paradigm S4 V2 (anyone know if the Beryllium tweeter is hard/harsh)?
(3) Dali Mentor 6 with the ribbon tweeter

I have listened to the Mentor but a bit concerned the lower midrange/upper bass is a bit lean sounding. I only heard the Paradigm through a Yamaha AV amp which may be tuned to be bright? Going to audition the PMC on Monday.

Thanks for your help
acdvd
Hey all..i have owned the paradigms..currently run dali hellicon 400 mk2's...the dual tweeter is simply stunning..the depth of vocals is fantastic...bass is excellent..talk about filling a room with music..for me..the paradigms could not match this overall sound..but definately in the ball park.....have never heard the pmc though...just my 2 cents
With regard to Dali, they have dual tweeter - soft dome for the lower high's and ribbon for the range above that, SO perhaps that solves the distortion issue.

It most certainly would - it might explain why they went with that design approach.
Dan
I can get an ex-demo Helicon 400 for $300 more than the Mentor 6, however the low mid-range is a bit chesty (see the Stereophile review of the new MKII which compares it to the old) and there is bass bloom...not a big gripe I suppose.

Which exact Paradigm did you own? Was it Signature Series 2?

Thanks
yes, it was the sig 2..which are owned now by a friend..so..i hear them often..peronally, but not professionally, i cant see that there would be this huge difference between mk1 and 2....i had a martin logan 'depth i' sub i was running with my rig...since getting the dali's..i have removed it..bass is tight and powerful..but as u know..this is all personal taste..for 300 more..personally, the mk1 would be a no brainer for me..just on aesthetics alone i'd go the mk1..they are gorgeous showpieces and exude taste and style...ok..now ive given u my 3 cents....i should tell u i enjoy my sound a bit mellow and laid back..so dali is perfect for me..silky tones...the paradigms were great too..for sure..but for me..a touch shrill and forward..for my tastes though...hope this helps, Dan
not a big gripe I suppose

If you look at the plot the woofer breakup is only 10 db down...this should have been eq'd out more aggressively. I would be very wary of that...it looks as if it will be audible. I haven't heard them so I can't say for sure but you really should audition them for yourself.

Midrange is critical in a speaker.