|   Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | Crankit
Jan 11, 2002 12:59 PM | | I have been back and forth listening to these speakers and I cant make up my mind which to get. B&W's are brighter with a little more detail (so it seems but all of the places I've been to are using different hardware to power them) and the Paradigm have nice smooth, booming and good detailed sound. They are very similiar but all of the salesmen I have talked to talk up the B&W's over the Paradigms and they know I am set to a budget.
Meaning, that I am spending so much regardless and they know I am also interested in an amp and Sub.
They are actually telling me to go with a cheaper sub or amp just to get the CDM's. I cant see why they are telling me this. Are they bias towards B&W or against Paradigm or do the CDM's have that much better sound? I was actually leaning towards the Paradigm's and if I was to get them it wouldn't be where I went last.
I could just see them taking my money then rolling their eyes at me behind my back when I leave.
What are your thoughts on the CDM's and Studio's. Is one set up better than the other or are they pretty even just doing it a little differently?
setups I looked at:
(CDM 9's, 1's, and CNT)
(Studio 100's, 40's and CC all v.2)
I am buying a Velodyne HGS 15 sub for either set up. |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | Mr2A
Jan 11, 2002 1:11 PM | | man....another "tough" decision.....I have heard the Paradigm's...at a local store...and was very impressed....but, a friend of mine has the B&W's in his house....if it were me......B&W's. |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | Mark Wo
Jan 11, 2002 2:31 PM | | I was in the same situation not that long ago. I have B&W inwalls all over my house so I do like them quite a bit. When it came time to purchase speakers for the home theater, I listened to everything. After hearing the Paradigm Studios in a HT set-up, I was sold. I ended up purchasing the Studio 40's for main, the Studio CC and then went with the Atoms for the rears. I already had a Boston Acoustic sub which worked for me or I would have purchased a Paradigm sub as well. I was hesitant on the atoms and thought this would be where the next upgrade occurs but overall, I don't see the need to replace the rear Atoms - they are great for that role.
As far as purchasing Paradigms, I may have a way to save you some money. I live near Canada and for me it was a short drive across the border to purchase the speakers. I saved almost 40-50% on the price of the speakers if purchased in the States. This made the system that much more enjoyable.
Email me offline for details.
Mark |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | JO
Jan 11, 2002 6:03 PM | | Mark,
Which Paradigm subwoofer were you considering?
I am planning on buying Studio 20(front)/Studio CC/ADP-370(rear), but I'm trying to decide on a receiver and sub-woofer. Please see speakers forum for my posting and more info.
Thanks,
JO |
| Can You Not Read? There is a Forum "Just About Speakers". | xDoc
Jan 11, 2002 2:57 PM | | Actually, you can read, since you posted the exact same message there too. Please save the producers of the website some $$$ by not wasting their hard drive space. In other words, be thoughtful, and don't needlessly double-post. |
| I think the post is appropriate... | Woochifer
Jan 11, 2002 3:19 PM | | The poster seems to want advice on a home theatre configuration, and there are a lot of regulars on the home theatre forum that don't ever visit the speaker forum, which tends to have a lot more two-channel adherents and Paradigm bashers that post regularly. I've dual posted before and gotten some vastly different responses on the two boards. |
| Exactly.... | Crankit
Jan 11, 2002 4:00 PM | | Thank you for your opinion on the speakers. I am going out again tomorrow and taking dvd's to compare the 2 yet again. |
| You're obviously just plain ignorant and miserable. | Crankit
Jan 11, 2002 3:49 PM | | I have never been to this forum before and I am running everywhere's I can to get feedback from those whom have listened to both brands of speakers while comparing them for what ever reasons. Salesmen are after the dollar and just don't shoot you straight. I have no idea how this forum works other than I thought I would get more variety of feedback because most probally don't go to other forums on here and mainly stick to one. Your response was ignorant and un called for.
If you didn't have an opinion about to which I was posting then you should've have replied.
My post more than fits this forum and the other as well. |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | Woochifer
Jan 11, 2002 3:13 PM | | I did not audition the B&W CDM series, but if they're anything like the 300, 600, and CM series, I would go with the Paradigm Studios if you plan to really use it mostly for home theatre. You're the first person I've read who's noted the B&Ws as brighter sounding, but to each their own. In general, the B&ws are known for their neutrality, tonal balance, and polite manners (no glaring weaknesses or apparent problems), while Paradigms are generally more forward sounding and have a punchier character. That more laid back character with the B&Ws works very well with music, but is less effective for home theatre. When I compared the Paradigm Studios with the B&W 600 series, I just found the Studios more involving and engaging with home theatre. For music, I could've gone either way.
The CDMs have a great reputation, and B&W has more snob appeal and cachet with high end audiophiles, especially since Paradigm is more of an upstart and has generally been known more as a company that delivers excellent performance at lower price points. Just don't let the opinions of others dictate what you prefer to hear. Personally, I think you'll be happy with either option, but definitely be prepared to do some more in-depth listening. Make sure you bring CDs and DVDs that you're very familiar with, so any differences between the systems are immediately apparent.
I own a pair of Studio 40s and have been very impressed with its versatility and performance with a variety of sources. I generally prefer a punchier sound, which can run contrary to so-called high end tastes since much of the high end is dictated by how equipment reproduces acoustic music -- the "warmer" sounding the better. An overly warm sound IMO does not make for enjoyable listening with home theatre or amplified instruments. |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | Ernie10
Jan 11, 2002 7:48 PM | | I was in a similar decision point a couple years ago. My bottom-line impression (for what it's worth) was this:
B&W strenghts
-midrange calrity
-Sound stage, holograhpic imaging and detail
-Looks
B&W weakeness
-A little bright or harsh
-"Rubbery" bass
-Price
-Seem like they would fall over easy
Paradigm strengths
-Liveliness
-Good composure at higher volume levels
-Good bass handeling
-Detail
-Crankability
Paradigm weakness
-"Immediate" sound, not as 3D sounding as B&Ws
I think it boils down to music taste. If you prefer more lively music like Rock, etc., go with the Paradigm Studios. If you do "critical" listening in an easy chair playing Classicle or Jazz, go with the Beemers. If you can, see if the dealers will let you take pairs of demos home to listen with YOUR system in YOUR room accoustics.
Good luck and have fun! |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | jp66
Jan 11, 2002 9:25 PM | | I, too am currently in the same position of getting speakers. I listened to B&W's and Paradigm's, and found the the B&W's to have a richer, fuller sound than the Paradigms. I also thought that they did a slightly better job on the mid-ranges. I did like the Paradigms, and think that they are very good speakers as well. So, which am I going to buy? Neither. Why? Well, I listened to a pair of Acoustic Energy Aegis speakers which were much less than the B&W's which I listened to. I felt that they sounded much better. On a final trip to the shop for a deciding listen to the AE's, I ran into a friend who convinced me to listen to a pair of PSB Image speakers. To make a long story short, I was very impressed with the PSB's. So much so, in fact, that I'm going to be purchasing a pair. I haven't decided which model, but it will be one from the Image series. At the same price points as the other speakers, I feel that the PSB's were superior. Sorry about adding more fuel to the fire... In the final analysis, I feel that both brands of speakers that you mentioned are worthy, and are certainly worth getting. |
| re: Which speakers to buy (B&W CDM's or Paradim Studios)? | C. Bennett
Jan 12, 2002 7:32 PM | | B&W is the superior speaker but stick to your budget they are not THAT much better. go with Paradigm's or the PSB's if you want a better price point but still a great speaker! And don't worry your post seems right to me too it is about speakers and what to choose. |
| re: Thx for all the responses! | Crankit
Jan 13, 2002 8:35 PM | | If I go with the Paradigms it wont be a money issue, well in a way it will be. I can spend aprox. $5,000 and if I go wth the Paradigm I can buy a real good receiver and a real good subwoofer to match it, like a Velodyne HGS. If I buy the B&W's I will probally use my exsisting receiver and just buy a decent amp and wait until next year to upgrade my receiver or go to separates.
I was thinking of buying Paradigm Studio's (2500 no tx) , B&K 307 (2500 no tx) receiver and a Velodyne HGS 12 (1,000 no tx). I am buying them in Deleware so there is no tax. I feel this would be a better fit for me because I can upgrade my whole system instead of just speakers and a new sub. I know the B&W's have a little better sound but I will be looking over my shoulder beating myself down until I get a real good receiver or separates to run them properly.
I have heard the B&W's are better off running on seps or high end receivers with high bandwidth. My current receiver only out puts 70 watts a channel. |
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