Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Paradigm Studio/100 Speakers by JDT

Model:	Studio/100
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2,200/pr.
Description:	Double 8
Manufacturer URL:	Paradigm
Model Picture:	View

Review by JDT on September 11, 2001 at 20:07:33
IP Address: 66.27.131.4

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for the Studio/100

I had a serious listening session with the Reference 100 V2 at my local Paradigm dealer. He mentioned that these speakers were his number one seller and moneymaker. I must say the review I read on these speakers in Stereophile made me approach them with high expectations.
On the surface (looks, feel and marketing material) these speakers appeared to be a major bang for the buck. I jokingly told my dealer that I hope they sound as good as they look because I just can't believe that for $2200, these beautiful real woodsided speakers are also serious audiophile performers too. How would other speaker companies even stay in business if that was true.
Anyway, here's my experience with them. After 10 minutes, I concluded these speakers are not what I would categorize as intended for critical listening. The HF was smooth and sweet but the extension was quite lacking to be considered a high end speaker. The midrange was relaxed and inviting but definitely far from having that pristine clarity. The bass was powerful and low, almost down to subwoofer level, but certainly not true. Imaging was ok but not to pinpoint standards, say.. compared to the PSB Gold i.
For pop and rock music, I would recommend these speakers in a heartbeat. In fact, if I had a second room in my home dedicated to HT/Pop music, these guys would be it. However, when it comes to critical listening of strings, piano or chamber music, I don't think these speakers are cut out for the job. The dealer and I tried to push their performance by using all silver cables and ICs from Silver Audio to try to get them to focus better and I guess we were relatively successful. The bass got cleaned up and so did the midbass and mid. However, the highs were still too sweet and mellow. We drove these speakers with a Bryston preamp and a Sim W5 amp, which should, in theory, deliver lightning quick transients. Nope sorry, not the case here.
At the end, I look at my dealer and asked him ... "you did say these are your bestseller eh?" He said "yes they are". But then he also mentioned that his customers are mostly HT people or audiophile newbies, and as soon as they hear the thunderous bass coming out of these speakers, they got out their checkbook. He also told me something else that was cute. He likes to mention to his customers that the Totem Signature Model 1 in his other room cost almost the same as the Paradigm Ref 100, and the Totem didn't even have any bass at all. He said he would tell them that in the high end speaker world, the 100s are, without any doubt, the BEST BUY, period! (He would also always have some excuse to not let them listen the Model 1) Again, they all got out their checkbook. I love it.

Product Weakness: those Paradigm ads need some kind of an award
Product Strengths: the speakers to own for pop music or HT uses

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sim W5
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Bryston
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Planet
Speakers:	100s
Cables/Interconnects:	Silver Audio everything
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Barber, Floyd and Piazolla
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 25 x
Room Comments/Treatments:	n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 hour
Type of Audition/Review:	Dealer Demo
Your System (if other than home audition):	n/a

Product Weakness:	those Paradigm ads need some kind of an award
Product Strengths:	the speakers to own for pop music or HT uses