RuSsMaN
06-18-2006, 02:50 AM
Struck a deal with a local forum member, and ended up with these sorta rare birds. Enter the Paradigm Model 11se. Sold from 1987-1989, with a retail of just under $900 for the pair, factory stands optional.
Oh Canada. I've been singing it for almost 2 weeks now. I can't believe they pulled off a modern AR3, or the early 90's remake 302. 3/4" dome tweeter, 3" dome midrange - coupled with a 10" woofer in a bass reflex enclosure (rear ported).
Not the Paradigm sound of today (sans metal dome), but still just a hair 'hot' on the top end. Not enough to be fatiguing, but just enough to make things lively. Vocals and mids are a real treat, and just slightly forward. Bass is quick and tight, but seems to lack a tad of extension on some recordings. I'm reserving final judgement on low end response, until I can try them in some different rooms, and play with placement. Right now, they are setup on the ass end of the HT room (16x25 with a lot windows), and I'm probably killing the quarter wave due to the fact placement from the side and rear walls is almost identical.
All that being said, I'm very pleased - overall, I feel these are great speakers, certainly worthy of at least getting your ears on. Where will they find a final resting spot? I'm not sure, but they aren't going anywhere, for a while. I like what I hear, and with proper tweaking, tube rolling, cable swaps, etc - they might just gel.
Associated gear:
Arcam CD73 CD Player
Melos SHA-1 Linestage (JAN 6922)
AMPS - Swapping between the two ->
Golden Tube Audio SE40 (Ruby 5881 / Sylvania 6SN7GTA)
Anthem AMP 1 (Jensen caps / JAN EL34 / Amperex BB 12AX7 / JAN 6189)
Audioquest CV4 Speaker Cable
Signal Cable Analog One Interconnects
Signal Cable Magic Power Cords
Signal Cable Magic Power Strip
Lovan Classic Rack
Cardas Myrtle Wood Blocks
Black Diamond Racing Isolation Cones
Cheers,
Russ
Oh Canada. I've been singing it for almost 2 weeks now. I can't believe they pulled off a modern AR3, or the early 90's remake 302. 3/4" dome tweeter, 3" dome midrange - coupled with a 10" woofer in a bass reflex enclosure (rear ported).
Not the Paradigm sound of today (sans metal dome), but still just a hair 'hot' on the top end. Not enough to be fatiguing, but just enough to make things lively. Vocals and mids are a real treat, and just slightly forward. Bass is quick and tight, but seems to lack a tad of extension on some recordings. I'm reserving final judgement on low end response, until I can try them in some different rooms, and play with placement. Right now, they are setup on the ass end of the HT room (16x25 with a lot windows), and I'm probably killing the quarter wave due to the fact placement from the side and rear walls is almost identical.
All that being said, I'm very pleased - overall, I feel these are great speakers, certainly worthy of at least getting your ears on. Where will they find a final resting spot? I'm not sure, but they aren't going anywhere, for a while. I like what I hear, and with proper tweaking, tube rolling, cable swaps, etc - they might just gel.
Associated gear:
Arcam CD73 CD Player
Melos SHA-1 Linestage (JAN 6922)
AMPS - Swapping between the two ->
Golden Tube Audio SE40 (Ruby 5881 / Sylvania 6SN7GTA)
Anthem AMP 1 (Jensen caps / JAN EL34 / Amperex BB 12AX7 / JAN 6189)
Audioquest CV4 Speaker Cable
Signal Cable Analog One Interconnects
Signal Cable Magic Power Cords
Signal Cable Magic Power Strip
Lovan Classic Rack
Cardas Myrtle Wood Blocks
Black Diamond Racing Isolation Cones
Cheers,
Russ