Paradigm Reference Studio vs. B&W N804

The Paradigm is an awesome speaker. I've heard both in the same room with same electronics. Of course it has more bass but also appeared to have a much better off axis sound. The N804 has pinpoint images. The Paradigm threw a less focused soundstage but sound was better off axis. There was also a more detailed sound with the N804. However the N804 was a much brighter speaker. The Paradigm 100 threw a very easy to listen to sound that filled the room regardless of where you were in the room. I'd pick the 100's over the N804. It would take the N802's to better the Paradigm Studio 100. Which Paradigm model are you comparing to the N804?

I agree 100% with Bulldogger, and actually, I bought Paradigm 100.2 to replace N804s. I liked the 804s and they certainly looked very good but the brightness just ended up getting to me. Their soundstage was a little constricted too. When I auditioned the 100.2s, they were mated to a top-of-the-line Onkyo reciever and sounded surprisingly good. However, it is not until I hooked up my McIntoshes to them and burned them in that I realized these are really fantastic speakers and worth a lot more than their price. I sold the N804s and have not regretted it one bit.

The Paradigm have a relaxed presentation, warm and airy, that just glides out into the room with a remarkable effortlessness. The soundstage is very deep and wide with an image stability that is rock solid. They sound very coherent too, keeping each musical layer distinct and yet harmonious. A generally much nicer experience than the B&Ws. I love my Paradigms. Anyway, that's my experience. Arthur

I'm currious...do we have any Canadians in the house? I can appreciate that!....

Yes, I'm a Canadian and yes, I too love my Paradigm 100's. I compared with B&W's before I bought my Paradigms. The Pardigms just had a feeling of rightness to them that the B&W's lacked in my opinion. In all fairness the two speaker sets were not in the same room connected to the same electronics but in rooms next to each other. As a Canadian I did get a much better price on the Paradigms relative to what I would have spent for a comparable imported speaker. Having said all this I still thought the B&W's to be good speakers - I looked at several models. A common thing with the Paradigms is that they are demoed with fairly pedestrian electronics. Good upstream electronics including a HIGH current amp really show off what these babies can do.

A friend of mine has JM Lab Electra 936's. They are worth over $5k (Northern Pesos)more than my speakers. While I admit that they are a better speaker overall than my 100's I don't thing they justify the price difference for that money - my buddy, however, did.

The Paradigms have published specs both industry reviews and Paradigms that demonstrate a very flat response curve. I don't find my speakers in the least bit "warm" but very neutral. With good electronics they show off great recordings well enought to bring a tear to your eyes. On bad recordings you will ask what the hell was anyone thinking about when they EQ'd/ Mastered/ etc. that album. They will show the worst on bad recordings warts and all. This is because of their neutrality. Poor recordings are relying on bad sonics on the playback system to neutralize their poor sound recording.

Take some of your favourite CD's representing a good mix of music and go and audition both. Take your time and keep notes. Ask the sales person if they have any speakers similarly priced that they think you should audition and keep an open mind. In the end, buy the one that makes you happy and don't worry too much what anyone else thinks.

If you do go for the Paradigms then get the real wood veneer because you will regret it down the road if you don't. Above all, remember that speaker auditioning is great fun! I still do it from time to time even though I have no intention at this time of buy a new speaker. I may buy a new speaker in the future but it would have to be considerably better than my 100's and I will have to have a much greater amount of money than I do now.

Yes, I did buy the Paradigms- and I like the sound so far ( maybe because it's Canadian all around, except the Sony), but kidding aside Paradigm had 100 V.2 powered by Anthem electronics at the last Home Entertainment Show in New York, which drew some rave reviews in the press, besides I think that Paradigm bought Anthem not so long ago. Regards.