Paradigm vs PSB Image

[varma_vikas]

Hi All,

I am Vikas and I am on audition these days and last two months have been very hard for me to audition the speakers.

I am highly confused and my post could also be confusing for some people. I am sorry for this.

I am sorry but this post is very long as this is full of my observations till yet. I have very recently started understanding the sound and day by day going forward due to the people here on this forum.

I am looking for speakers in between 50k to approx 120k ( may be stretch some more later on).

Listened to Dali ikon 6, Paradigm, B&W CM9( out of my reach -280k), Paradigm Studio 100(out of my reach -220k),Monitor audio gold bookshelf, gold FS,Silver RX6 FS, Ascendo C5(out of my reach-650k),AAD,

Last I listened to PSB Image T6, Synchrony One and two both.


I have shortlisted Pradigm and PSB I mage as both are highly reputed as per my info.


I listened to Paradigm Monitor 9 with sub woofer and without sub both. I liked that more with sub but if I go with the suggestion of far more knowledgeable people than me, they say it will be a 2.1 system instead of pure 2 channel and I will be distributing the frequencies.


Other knowledgeable people say that adding a sub decreases the load of Floor standers to produce the bass specially at low level ( which I highly demand).


When I first heard Paradigm monitor 9 with sub I thought whatever I wanted I got that i.e-- crystal clear sound with deatil and bass thump in very low volume. But when we raised the volume , after 15-20 minutes of listening it became fatiguing and I was not able to sit in the room because vocals were extremly loud. I found that Paradigm monitor 9 if play standalone (without sub), does not meet my critiera and will sound well only in some perticular genres, not all the genres( My own perception though).

I had listened to studio 100 but that time I did not go there with my own CD'S and listened with their instrumental cd's which were above my head.

So last I heard PSB Image Synchrony two and found it very warm sound (PSB Synchrony two). It was very smooth and sounding balanced but still wish to listen to studio 60 so that I can compare with that. I think synchrony two has the ability to produce big and powerful sound and it can play any thing without distortion and without any effort . It is 4 ohm speaker.

Synchrony two , on loud volume was not hurting the ears and was still ready to get more volume.

Does any body have the experince of both Paradigm studio 60 and PSB Synchrony two as audition of studio60 is not possible for me.

Till the date I have woodstock set up with me in which each channel has 12" woofer and it produces very hefty and earth shattering bass. So I am use to listen to very open sound and hefty bass in high and lowest volume.


Please please please do not say the same sentence---"Go and hear on your own which sound u like the most" because this is whatt I have been doing already.

Thanks and regards
Vikas Varma

 

[avidyarthy]

Music is more about mids than earth-shattering bass. Yes, bass IS required, but it needs to be subtle and tight so as it does not infringe on the mids, but act as its extension.

Have a look at my TLs, if desired.

 

[mpw]

vikas,

i think you should try the PSB Image T6 + subwoofer.

I think you need a good bass thump but at the same time non fatiguing sound.

This combo should work. Else if you have the money.. then Studio 60 + subwoofer.

Set the crossover of the sub at about 60Hz and you should be good to go.

The synchrony is in a much higher price bracket ( synchrony 2 for 1.5lac.. check with ashish of lakozy delhi.. he had a demo piece on sale ). The synchrony 1 is for 2 lacs i think.

PS : I have not hard the Studio 60 but am approximating from what i heard when i auditioned the Studio 100.

Generally..larger the speaker driver.. you may need a more powerful amp to get the best of it. Therefore re-look at PSB Image T6 + subwoofer combo. Many folks on this forum have the T6 and they like it.

Check what works for you.

The TL's are good .. but i think you will be better served with "conventional ported bass"

mpw

 

[pdhanwada]

Vikas,

It boils down to ones likes vs dislikes. Lot of Audiophile gang over here and else where dont like their sub muddling up the fronts.

On the other hand I am absolutely fine with 2.1 configuration, provided you set the crossover of the sub low enough such that it does not disturb the low mids of the bookshelves.

I like subwoofer + bigger bookshelves combo lot better than the just the bookshelves. I am sure Floorstanders are better but again they cost more.

Thanks

 

[corElement]

Hi All,

I am Vikas and I am on audition these days and last two months have been very hard for me to audition the speakers.

I am highly confused and my post could also be confusing for some people. I am sorry for this.

I am sorry but this post is very long as this is full of my observations till yet. I have very recently started understanding the sound and day by day going forward due to the people here on this forum.

I am looking for speakers in between 50k to approx 120k ( may be stretch some more later on).

Listened to Dali ikon 6, Paradigm, B&W CM9( out of my reach -280k), Paradigm Studio 100(out of my reach -220k),Monitor audio gold bookshelf, gold FS,Silver RX6 FS, Ascendo C5(out of my reach-650k),AAD,

Last I listened to PSB Image T6, Synchrony One and two both.


I have shortlisted Pradigm and PSB I mage as both are highly reputed as per my info.


I listened to Paradigm Monitor 9 with sub woofer and without sub both. I liked that more with sub but if I go with the suggestion of far more knowledgeable people than me, they say it will be a 2.1 system instead of pure 2 channel and I will be distributing the frequencies.


Other knowledgeable people say that adding a sub decreases the load of Floor standers to produce the bass specially at low level ( which I highly demand).


When I first heard Paradigm monitor 9 with sub I thought whatever I wanted I got that i.e-- crystal clear sound with deatil and bass thump in very low volume. But when we raised the volume , after 15-20 minutes of listening it became fatiguing and I was not able to sit in the room because vocals were extremly loud. I found that Paradigm monitor 9 if play standalone (without sub), does not meet my critiera and will sound well only in some perticular genres, not all the genres( My own perception though).

I had listened to studio 100 but that time I did not go there with my own CD'S and listened with their instrumental cd's which were above my head.

So last I heard PSB Image Synchrony two and found it very warm sound (PSB Synchrony two). It was very smooth and sounding balanced but still wish to listen to studio 60 so that I can compare with that. I think synchrony two has the ability to produce big and powerful sound and it can play any thing without distortion and without any effort . It is 4 ohm speaker.

Synchrony two , on loud volume was not hurting the ears and was still ready to get more volume.

Does any body have the experince of both Paradigm studio 60 and PSB Synchrony two as audition of studio60 is not possible for me.

Till the date I have woodstock set up with me in which each channel has 12" woofer and it produces very hefty and earth shattering bass. So I am use to listen to very open sound and hefty bass in high and lowest volume.


Please please please do not say the same sentence---"Go and hear on your own which sound u like the most" because this is whatt I have been doing already.

Thanks and regards
Vikas Varma

Have you auditioned viren bakshi's amity speakers with 12" woofers?

 

[afj]

add the usher be 718 to that list.

 

[jaudere]

I loved PSB Synchrony 2. I liked Paradigm studio 10 as well. one thing I missed. What is the amp that you are going to use? If it is a stereo amp, you will not be splitting frequencies going to your main speakers , which is very good.

 

[varma_vikas]

Music is more about mids than earth-shattering bass. Yes, bass IS required, but it needs to be subtle and tight so as it does not infringe on the mids, but act as its extension.

Have a look at my TLs, if desired.

Hi Avidyarthy,

Thank you for ur humble reply.

Yes u r absolutely correct. however where necessary , speakers should should come out with that great low ends. This is what I have been looking for.

It seem that all people are in favor of sub woofer. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm OK.

 

[varma_vikas]

vikas,

i think you should try the PSB Image T6 + subwoofer.

I think you need a good bass thump but at the same time non fatiguing sound.

This combo should work. Else if you have the money.. then Studio 60 + subwoofer.

Set the crossover of the sub at about 60Hz and you should be good to go.

The synchrony is in a much higher price bracket ( synchrony 2 for 1.5lac.. check with ashish of lakozy delhi.. he had a demo piece on sale ). The synchrony 1 is for 2 lacs i think.

PS : I have not hard the Studio 60 but am approximating from what i heard when i auditioned the Studio 100.

Generally..larger the speaker driver.. you may need a more powerful amp to get the best of it. Therefore re-look at PSB Image T6 + subwoofer combo. Many folks on this forum have the T6 and they like it.

Check what works for you.

The TL's are good .. but i think you will be better served with "conventional ported bass"

mpw

Thank you Dear,

You understood this in the first instance. GREAT. I think PSB are very versatile and nneutral. We can change the sound by closing or opening the ports and it has(synchrony two) high capability to handle any type of sound.

 

[corElement]

Poor vikas, totally confused

 

[varma_vikas]

I loved PSB Synchrony 2. I liked Paradigm studio 10 as well. one thing I missed. What is the amp that you are going to use? If it is a stereo amp, you will not be splitting frequencies going to your main speakers , which is very good.

HI Jaudere,

Thank you for ur reply. Actually I have an 8 yrs old woodstock stereo amp but I think it can fail lot of todays amplifiers.

I heard monitor 9 with Rotel 1500( 150k). That time it sounded just DEATILED not bass heavy and we had to add sub. After that I again went their with my own woodstock and everybody there was just stunned, We had no need to add a sub woofer. They had never listened to monitor9 producing that kind of bass weight ever before. Rotel had to look a place to hide somewhere.

amp is 80-100 rms 8ohm . I think approx 150 w rms at 4 ohm.

 

[ShaQ.Blogs]

Music is more about mids than earth-shattering bass. Yes, bass IS required, but it needs to be subtle and tight so as it does not infringe on the mids, but act as its extension.

Different people have different ears. Else everyone would be buying just one speaker...Bose.

I have shortlisted Pradigm and PSB I mage as both are highly reputed as per my info

Interesting to know that you dropped Dali Icon 6 out and choose paradigm monitors over them. Go by your ears. Not by rep. Bose surely has a lot of rep

Other knowledgeable people say that adding a sub decreases the load of Floor standers to produce the bass specially at low level ( which I highly demand).

Yup. That is usually the case. But of course, depends on the speakers. Large part of power is usually required by bass regions. This is why you see subs having a separate amp. The regions below 120 Hr or so will demand a lot of power. The amp will last much longer if you use a dedicated sub.

If your budget does not include a sub, then I would suggest go for the T6 or Dali icon 6 and then couple them with nothing but a Rythmik sub. Going for T6 will save you money to use in 2 sub mode. 2 Rythmik FV12 or a sealed Rythmik F12 would be highly suggested. Rythmik's are music first subs.

Also do consider a high end pair of bookshelf, paired with a sub. You will get better bookshelves than towers at the same price. Audition good bookshelves with a high end sub of the likes of Velodyne (1 lakh and above) or svs (above 70K). If you are happy with it then get a Rythmik or 2 and then use it with bookshelves.
I must admit, I had listening fatigue with the SVS sub.

Regarding PSB Synchrony, If i remember it right they require a lot of power, requiring high end amps.

It seem that all people are in favor of sub woofer. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm OK.

Not just any sub. A Rythmik sub. If its mainly for music.

amp is 80-100 rms 8ohm . I think approx 150 w rms at 4 ohm.

This is not possible. It must be the other way round. Lesser impedence equates to lesser power ability by amp. Not the other way round.

 

[corElement]

Hi Avidyarthy,

Thank you for ur humble reply.

Yes u r absolutely correct. however where necessary , speakers should should come out with that great low ends. This is what I have been looking for.

That does not necessarily mean only big drivers will do the task though. I strongly suggest taking a look at avid's ATL transmission line speakers built by Hari Iyer or Lyrita Amity speaker.

 

[varma_vikas]

Vikas,

It boils down to ones likes vs dislikes. Lot of Audiophile gang over here and else where dont like their sub muddling up the fronts.

On the other hand I am absolutely fine with 2.1 configuration, provided you set the crossover of the sub low enough such that it does not disturb the low mids of the bookshelves.

I like subwoofer + bigger bookshelves combo lot better than the just the bookshelves. I am sure Floorstanders are better but again they cost more.

Thanks

Hello Pdhanwada,

Thank you, is the facility with every sub woofer? I had paired a sub costing 25k only from Prardigm.

 

[mpw]

Vikas - take up avids offer.. Just to clear your mind. Take the woodstock amp with u and don't play with the krell.

Just in case .. Try the PSB T5 with a sub... The T5 is found to be musical by many folks and the sub will add the thump you need. Make sure sub crossover is at 60hz and sub volume is not too high.. Maybe 30%.

 

[varma_vikas]

Have you auditioned viren bakshi's amity speakers with 12" woofers?

Hi Core element,

Nice to see u again,

mmmmmmmmmm, I know they make good things however I do not wish to take the route of tube amps and proprietry products.

Anyway, good to have ur suggestion.

Thank you

 

[corElement]

Hi Core element,

Nice to see u again,

mmmmmmmmmm, I know they make good things however I do not wish to take the route of tube amps and proprietry products.

Anyway, good to have ur suggestion.

Thank you

Any particular reason?

 

[avidyarthy]

@ Cor ......... :lol::lol::lol: ......... hey, cool it.
Most people, me included (a branded MCP & self-endorsed egoist) like to listen to, what we want to listen! Thats a belief most always have. Even I was like that during my first HiFi purchase ... learnt over time. Our role here is to guide/provide ideas and suggestions, and not shove anything down the other's throat .... no?

 

[corElement]

Would be a pity if he didnt atleast hear your atl's amidst all his auditions .

 

[varma_vikas]

Different people have different ears. Else everyone would be buying just one speaker...Bose.


Interesting to know that you dropped Dali Icon 6 out and choose paradigm monitors over them. Go by your ears. Not by rep. Bose surely has a lot of rep


Yup. That is usually the case. But of course, depends on the speakers. Large part of power is usually required by bass regions. This is why you see subs having a separate amp. The regions below 120 Hr or so will demand a lot of power. The amp will last much longer if you use a dedicated sub.

If your budget does not include a sub, then I would suggest go for the T6 or Dali icon 6 and then couple them with nothing but a Rythmik sub. Going for T6 will save you money to use in 2 sub mode. 2 Rythmik FV12 or a sealed Rythmik F12 would be highly suggested. Rythmik's are music first subs.

Also do consider a high end pair of bookshelf, paired with a sub. You will get better bookshelves than towers at the same price. Audition good bookshelves with a high end sub of the likes of Velodyne (1 lakh and above) or svs (above 70K). If you are happy with it then get a Rythmik or 2 and then use it with bookshelves.
I must admit, I had listening fatigue with the SVS sub.

Regarding PSB Synchrony, If i remember it right they require a lot of power, requiring high end amps.


Not just any sub. A Rythmik sub. If its mainly for music.


This is not possible. It must be the other way round. Lesser impedence equates to lesser power ability by amp. Not the other way round.

Thank you Shaq blogs,

I auditioned bookshelfs (but without subwoofer ) a lot and none of them I found good for me. I auditioned Dali Ikon6 but it was paired with a very bad amplifier denon and sounded like crap. Only vocals were very high but very open. No bass response.

I know people do a lot of praise of Dali and I also would like to listen to it again.

Thank you