I Can't Get Enough of These!
Written: Oct 06 '99 (Updated Oct 07 '99)
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Pros: Excellent value, fantastic imaging, wide soundstage, tight, low bass, beautiful highs, solid construction
Cons: Terminals are a little awkward to hand tighten when using spades, especially when bi-wired. Banana plugs would work better.
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| IQ9's Full Review: Reference Studio/100 Speaker (Gold) |
These are probably the best speakers for the price on the planet. The rep in my local high-end store didn't even try to sell me something more expensive, like they usually do. I told him I was interested in Studio 100's, and he said, "Great speaker. You can't go wrong there. When people ask about Studio 100's, I don't even try to show them anything else." I talked him down to $1,625, which appears to be a good deal.
It turns out, that these are the second series of Studio's that Paradigm put out. They had a fresh pair in the back that just came in. It says "Studio 100 v.2" in the fine print near the terminals which, I assume, means "version 2". I haven't been able to find out exactly what Paradigm changed with the new version. Their Web site simply says "All New Paradigm Reference Products", and they used the word "retooled", and they placed some "New!" graphics on the Reference pages. I'd love to know exactly what they "retooled".
My Studio 100's are currently powered by a new Rotel RB-991 200-Watt amp through new MIT Terminator-4 Bi-Wire cables. My components are all power-conditioned with a Monster Power HTS-2500. They've had at least 8 weeks to break in now, and I AM THOROUGHLY PLEASED!
When I first got the Studio 100's home, power was from an old Hafler 220 (110 watts per channel). B etween the MIT cables that take 2-4 weeks to break in, the un-broken-in speakers, and an underpowered amp, I was not 100% impressed. The bass I expected to be there, wasn't. The speakers sounded at little uneven - I guess the word is "cold".
BUT!!! It's been about 2 months since then, and now that they are properly powered with a freshly broken-in Rotel 991, these things have opened up like a can of "whoop-*ss"! The bass dropped down to the perfect level and tension. The highs have widened to a sweet, transparent lucidity that I've never heard before. Even at blistering levels, with some full-range, cymbal and snare-heavy mixes, the highs never slice my ears apart like I was so used to (with other Circuit City type speakers). Yet, they emit every upper-frequency nuance with perfect clarity.
Construction is solid as a rock. Knocking on the side produces no resonance whatsoever - just a dull thud. They are also very heavy. I think each speaker weighs close to 100 pounds.
The imaging is fantastic! I have them placed at Paradigm's recommended 2:3 ratio. In other words, the listening position distance is exactly 1.5 times the speaker's separation. The soundstage that is produced is wonderfully wide and not to intrusive and "in the room", and not set back into the wall. Midstage sits maybe a foot or two behind the speaker face, just touching the back wall or set into it slightly. This creates the feeling of the music inviting you in, as oppose to it invading your living room.
I listen to a wide range of music: jazz, fusion, classical, heavy metal, progressive rock, new age, and more recently, techno and electronic music. I needed a speaker that would reproduce all forms of music with utmost accuracy, handle the ENTIRE dynamic range, yet reproduce the subtleties of my "nicer" music. That's exactly what I got with the Studio 100's. From Bela Fleck to Horowitz, from Rush to Sevendust, from Spiro Gyra to The Crystal Method, these speakers project every 1 and 0 etched into every CD, effortlessly, right into your listening room.
Even at low listening levels, they shine. My best friend and I recently had a late-night listening session as so often happens. I put in both CD's of "Lifeforms" by Future Sound of London. It was 4 in the morning, so I had it on a low, but listenable, volume level and flat EQ (of course). I don't know if anyone is familiar with "Lifeforms", but that CD is a brilliant electronic music composition. The production, engineering, and sonic quality are astounding. It took on a whole new life coming from the Studio's. We sat with our jaws on the floor, and listened quietly to both CD's in their entirety. At one point I commented to my friend, "THIS is the true test of a speaker. Any speaker can crank cheesy, distorted rock. These things are unreal!" He knodded in agreement, but resisted speaking as not to interrupt the other-worldly music that was bouncing from my speakers. I gained an even greater respect for the Studio 100's that night. To hear the entire range of music at a low listening level like that, while retaining every bit of warmth and depth, confirmed my purchase decision.
A few things to remember if you are going to buy Studio 100's:
1) Bi-Wire (with GOOD cables) - This is very important if you're not going to bi-AMP. I'm sure the MIT-Terminator 4 Bi-Wire's have a lot to do with my speakers' excellent performance.
2) Use plenty of power - Get at least a 200W/ch power amp. Paradigm says you can go all the way up to a 350-watt amp.
3) Place them at the 2:3 ratio that Paradigm recommends.
4) Use the spikes if they're on the second floor or on wood.
5) Break-in, break-in, break-in.
A wonderful speaker, even at three times the price! I listened to plenty of other speakers before settling on the 100's. Even some $8,500 speakers were shy in some areas. The Studio 100's do it all!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1625
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Epinions.com ID:
IQ9
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Member: Russell Brooks
Location: North Wales, PA
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 4 members
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