|   ACI Sapphire or Paradigm Studio 60 | entrope
Sep 11, 2001 10:30 AM | | I am considering an upgrade to my mains and have narrowed the choices to these two. My system is 70% for music, 30% HT. The system is all Paradigm now, Monitor 7's, CC-170, Titans for rears and a PS1000 sub.
I am using a 140 watt X 5 Parasound amp.
The prices are virtually the same, the advantage the Paradigms have is that I auditioned them but could not audition the Sapphires without laying out $1K and returning them after 30 days. It also means I would enventually phase out all the Paradigm speakers in favor of ACI Emeralds and a Titan sub if I go with ths Sapphires. I could not afford to do this all at once. It would have to be done based on the WAF at the moment.
Anyone have experience with both of these speakers? Advice on a gradual change over of speakers if I go with the Sapphires as mains? |
| re: ACI Sapphire or Paradigm Studio 60 | newJD
Sep 11, 2001 12:04 PM | | Wow, really different breeds of cat you're talking about here. A fairly large dual woofer tower vs. a two-way monitor.
I've heard various Paradigms in stores but never in my room. That said, I think about the only advantage they'd offer over the Sapphires would be that they'd probably play a bit louder and of course have more extended bass. The extended bass probably isn't an issue as you're using a sub anyway.
The Sapphire III is really hard to beat for transparency, imaging and staging and just plain musicality. I sure got hooked! I bet you'd love them to. So what if it takes a while to change over your whole system? You're moving up to a whole other level. Have fun! |
| Sapphire IIIs Rock! | DereksDomino
Sep 11, 2001 12:26 PM | | If you had said 30% music, 70% HT it MIGHT have been close. Or if youi really like mass-market stuff compared to classic handcrafting. Anyway, you'll love the Sapphire IIIs. They do music right! You gonna get the LEs? |
| re: ACI Sapphire or Paradigm Studio 60 | Terry
Sep 12, 2001 3:10 AM | | My choice would be the Sapphire III. The Paradigms have their virtues. To me, most of those virtues are directed more towards HT than music. The highs are too brittle for my taste. Not just detailed, but a bit unrefined. I'm betting the Sapphire III will be a lot more natural overall. |
| Sapphire lovers unit... | entrope
Sep 12, 2001 5:29 AM | | Looks like opinion goes to the Sapphires. Thanks for the input everyone..
Now if I can just convince the spousal unit. |
| Flowers would be a good start. nt | BK
Sep 12, 2001 5:31 AM | | |
| Follow with a night out nt | newJD
Sep 12, 2001 12:11 PM | | Go boy! |
| Then a night in (nt) ;-) | Daigoro
Sep 12, 2001 5:58 PM | | |
| And you're in like Flynn. :) nt | BK
Sep 13, 2001 4:22 AM | | |
| Is there anyone who prefers the paradigm? | chad
Sep 13, 2001 6:05 AM | | I've been planning on purchasing the Paradigm Studio 60's, studio CC, studio 20's and the PW-2200 for awhile now.
I'm wondering if you all are just partial to ACI due to the popularity of paradigm, a matter of taste, or are they just clearly better then the paradigm? Do you feel the ACI are also better than the Monitor Audio Gold 60's?
I like the paradigm studio Center, which is highly regarded. I don't know anything about ACI centers. Since I plan to use my system for quite a few movies, this is important.
so anyone out there that prefers paradigm? |
| Not me! | Tiny
Sep 13, 2001 6:40 AM | | The Paradigms have their qualities. Certainly they will play even louder. To me, they lack refinement. Just not on the same level of reality as the ACIs. IF all you care about is playing loud and crash scenes etc. the Paras would be a good choice. If you like your music natural and dimensional as well, then the ACIs are a much better choice. My Sapphire III LE- Titan II LE combo plays plenty loud enough for me. More importantly, it really is extremely musical. I guess I personally like the handcrafting as opposed to pop out 1000 an hour approach. And, once I took the leap, I have come to really enjoy dealing with the factory. They are so much easier to work with than most dealers. I guess its a whole different situation. |
| The problem here is... | Daigoro
Sep 13, 2001 7:01 AM | | if it seems like everyone prefers the ACI to the Studios, you have to remember that virtually none of the Paradigm owners have heard the ACI while probably most of the ACI owners have heard Paradigm. There's always a bit of owner bias. Plus you're not going to have the occasional dissenter who heard the speakers on the showroom floor and disliked them since ACI has no showroom floor to speak of.
And yes, there is a bit of Paradigm backlash. |
| paradigm | entrope
Sep 13, 2001 7:06 AM | | I feel I got tremendous performance/price with the Paradigms. They have good dynamics and a slightly forward sound. They are great for rock and HT but handle acoustic and orchestral quite well. They are well constructed. Many do not care for the metal tweeter calling them bright. Usually good amplification and break in takes care of any brightness in these speakers. Paradigm makes good speakers that compete well with others in and somewhat above there price range.
I am ready to take that next leap in fidelity particularly since HT is lower than music on my priority list. All I have read and heard from ACI owners and reviewers indicates for music fidelity in the $1K range the Sapphires have little competition. Despite good reports I am a bit reluctant to buy without auditioning but if you want them then that is the only way you can do it unless some you know has a pair. They are very good about taking returns I understand. Any one interested in some moderately used Paradigm speakers? |
| ok, will you do this for me? | newJD
Sep 13, 2001 8:15 AM | | Emerald LEs for center and surrounds and Titan II LE sub. I have several friends with this exact system and it is a winner. It is best if you can put the center Emerald vertically but it sounds pretty good "laying down" if you must. |
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