Having sold Paradigm (in a previous life), I was not truly impressed with the whole line up. We carried some fine gear, and I was careful of what I played when the customer had a Paradigm budget. But the Studio 40s were an exception, I would play against, or with any gear in the house. I actually preferred them to the B&Ws, and certainly Macs of similar price. Moral of the story, the name ain't the sound!