Great value !
Written: Apr 26 '06
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Pros: Flat curve, well defined, and price !
Cons: Grille won't come off ; a bit "hot" around 100Hz.
The Bottom Line: For small rooms, rear channel and most "not insane" uses these speakers are the best thing a buck can buy.
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| pierredenis's Full Review: Paradigm Titan Main / Stereo Speaker |
It's getting hard to write something about Paradigm speakers without reusing the same adjectives all the time. Over the past couple of years I had the privilege to buy various speakers from this company (Monitor 9, CC-370, PS-1200 and now Titans) to improve my H.T. setup. The Titans were supposed to be used originally as a replacement for my poor rear speakers (Acoustic Profiles PSL 0.5) that could not stand their ground any longer with these fine speakers. After a short argument about the merits (and worth) of dipoles with the salesman and a good session of jazz music in the listening room, these were an easy pick. Problem is now : I share a place with another guy and I have only a bedroom (decent size) in which to set my system. So to the warehouse the monitors and the CC. I could manage to squeeze the PS under my desk (useless to mention that I had to set the volume at an almost insignificant level in order not to "kill" the Titans and not to get kicked out of my room also).
So basically, I'm back to a simple stereo setup backed by a "muffled" subwoofer.
So first thing to do before really evaluating these speakers was to give them a good break-in period (like all the Paradigms I've used before) and get used to good old and simple stereo listening.
And so, like all the other Paradigms I've used the first impression was not the greatest. The Titans sounded "thin", muffled and awfully "hot" around the 100Hz (that nasty resonnance for most male voices).
But patience is a virtue : God do I ever know if I don't have a lot to spare !
It's been a good 6 weeks now since I first connected these to my Nad T763. Once again I gave them the "chance" to go through most of my CD stack. The verdict ? The title says all. For the price, it is really hard to b... about anything here. I know it's been said before (and not only by me) but these speakers will stand comparison with some units twice as expensive (and bigger) easily. They are quite detailed and the response curve is very flat (considering the price, it is simply stunning). Ok, they are not quite as detailed as my monitors, but the price...
The only reproach : a little hot still around the 100Hz ; but nothing that a good stand or a little tweaking with the tone knob won't fix. Stage is very good : almost anywhere you'll go in the room the sound will stay decent. Depth is not as good as the Monitors but acceptable.
Now as far as power handling is concerned I can't really say anything relevant here since I use them in a bedroom in an apartment building. I've read that they don't handle high power levels too well (once again, price ...).
But from what I've experienced up to now I can easily say that these speakers could probably handle most of the basic needs of almost anybody, given that they are backed by a good sub for the low end, a decent center for the vocals... Well, you get the picture !
Like all the other Paradigms I've used these speakers are showing you the seriousness of the maker. They are built solid, no rattle here. They come with good binding posts (gold plated). They are ported (port is in the back, so give them some space back there : at least 4"). Oh yeah, for some reason, you can't remove the grille ; but what the hell !
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200.00
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Epinions.com ID:
pierredenis
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Member: Pierre Denis
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Long time music enthusiast.
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