Paradigm Signature S4s

[Polkitup2]

Had a chance to briefly listen to the Paradigm S4s at a local dealer. The source was a Marantz player and the receiver was a Anthem. Frankly, I am not sure what I was hearing. The dealer started playing a CD and I was like thinking this sounds familar but couldn't immediately identify it. It was a Diana Krall CD that I have played many times on my system but with the S4s it sounded so different. First of all, the soundstage was huge and the imaging was excellent. The first thing I noticed was that it sounded "live" compared to my current system, however Diana Krall's voice almost sounded raspy. Although they had great mechanics I would have to listen to them a lot more to determine if I liked the sound. The mids seemed to be in your face, and the bass was light.

The same material on my system whic uses a Denon 3910, Outlaw Audio 1070 as a pre, and a NAD 270 amp, and NHT Classic 3 speakers (with SVS sub) sounds so silky smooth but doesn't have that "live" sound to it. I can listen to my system for hours on end.

Not having auditioned many different systems, I guess I was just surprised that the same CD can sound so different on different systems.

[dudeinaroom]

I've heard the same thing here in my own house, the difference is using my Denon avr as a pre versus using my Adcom pre. The Denon has a wider, less defined almost artificial sound stage were as the Adcom is a little more restrained, but pinpoint.

[Joey_V]

First off, did you hear the version 2 or the original S4? The second version has a Beryllium tweeter and a new midrange driver.

Paradigms are very clean speakers and they sound very much like it. A very good speaker in my opinion.

You will need to hear it some more before you get a good feel for what it's about and what the S4 tries to do with sonic reproduction.

Joey

[Polkitup2]

It was version 1. The dealer had one demo pair left. I think I will take a closer look at Paradigm for my next speaker purchase.

[del44]

The S4's I heard were also the V1. Driven by some Mac equipment. Listening to them made me grit my teeth. I guess they're not for everyone. They sure are pretty though.