RTi10 or Paradigm Studio 100 V1

[sdschwendener]

I was surprised to find some Paradigm Studio 100 V1's for sale for 600 near by. Has anyone heard these speakers before? I will go listen to them of course but I haven't been able to find too much info on the V1s on the web. If there is any knowledge about these speakers from a technical standpoint? It is late so I'll talk to the seller tomorrow but I want to know what the product is I'm supposedly interested in.

All I know is it uses a Vifa..

[CRESCENDOPOWER]

It will depend strictly on the electronics you use. The Studio 100’s in my opinion are one of the greatest audio products ever produced per dollar. The midrange, and bass response is so good it could be easily be compared with speakers twice the price.
For $600 anyone would be lying to you if they told you you could do better especially if you are looking to cover most of the frequency range.

[Hawkeye]

The Studio 100 V1 replaced my RT2000i which I could never get the powered bottom to sound "just" right to me. As mentioned above, they will respond to what you put into them. With just an AVR, it was OK. After some amplification (220 watts) was applied, they were a completely different speaker. I kept and used them for about 7 years. I had bought a pair of Signature S8 to replace them which in hindsight was a mistake on my part. The Studio was an all around excellent performer to me and I sold mine for $750 so it seems you're getting a good deal if you like the sound of Paradigm.

Gordon

[rubin]

The Studio 100 V1 replaced my RT2000i which I could never get the powered bottom to sound "just" right to me. As mentioned above, they will respond to what you put into them. With just an AVR, it was OK. After some amplification (220 watts) was applied, they were a completely different speaker. I kept and used them for about 7 years. I had bought a pair of Signature S8 to replace them which in hindsight was a mistake on my part. The Studio was an all around excellent performer to me and I sold mine for $750 so it seems you're getting a good deal if you like the sound of Paradigm.

Gordon
Why were the sig. 8's a mistake.

[rubin]

I was surprised to find some Paradigm Studio 100 V1's for sale for 600 near by. Has anyone heard these speakers before? I will go listen to them of course but I haven't been able to find too much info on the V1s on the web. If there is any knowledge about these speakers from a technical standpoint? It is late so I'll talk to the seller tomorrow but I want to know what the product is I'm supposedly interested in.

All I know is it uses a Vifa..

I have tho 100 v2's, according to stereophile the top end is an improvment over the v1's the bass remains the same.

I"m keeping mine!!!

[tonyb]

Why were the sig. 8's a mistake.

Price to performance ratio is my guess.If you can snag the P's for 600 clams,do it.It's a good all around speaker,that can play different types of music with ear pleasing ease.Word of caution,check them out,listen to them before you buy,at that price,I'm just curious if it may have a blown woofer or tweet.Don't mean to scare you,all may be well,just check first is all I'm saying.

[rubin]

Price to performance ratio is my guess.If you can snag the P's for 600 clams,do it.It's a good all around speaker,that can play different types of music with ear pleasing ease.Word of caution,check them out,listen to them before you buy,at that price,I'm just curious if it may have a blown woofer or tweet.Don't mean to scare you,all may be well,just check first is all I'm saying.

RU using paradigm speakers? Hawkeye siad the s8's were a mistake ---wonder why?

[Hawkeye]

I was getting itchy to get some new speakers. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Studio 100. Anyway, went to the dealer and listened to the S8 and loved them. After getting them home and doing "extended" listening, the tweeter became too harsh to my ear and fatigue would quickly set in. I tried just about everything, i.e. amps, room treatments, pre and wires in a vain attempt to tone down the highs. The woodwork on the case was just stunning and they looked like they belonged in the room.

A buddy of mine bought the Studio's from me and every time I go to his house I kick myself for parting with them. Not that I would not have changed to the Martin Logan, but I could have saved myself a large chunk of change by skipping the S8 altogether if I had known about the fatigue.

Gordon

[tonyb]

RU using paradigm speakers? Hawkeye siad the s8's were a mistake ---wonder why?

No,but I have heard them both.Why do you think he said they were a mistake?Take a stab at it.

[rubin]

I would say cost vs performance comparison is the main issue.Metal tweets can be a prob.I bi-amp mine and cut (adjust output to the top end) to tame them.I'm sensative to shrill treble.Human ears are by nature more responsive to high frequency,btw I also use a tube pre.

[Hawkeye]

I don't subscribe to the cost/performance ratio way of thinking. I'm of the mind set if it sounds right to me, I don't care what it will cost if it is within my budget. Expensive or inexpensive does not guide my choices. The Martin Logan Vantage (intermediate speakers) were 5.5K while the S8 was 6.4K. So you see, I stepped down in price for my "perceived" improvement which was real to me.

Gordon

[rubin]

Sorry u were disapointed with the s8's

[Hawkeye]

Rubin do you have a pair? If so, I'd like to hear what you think of them. I thought the bottom and mids were just stellar! My amps had enough umph to control all those woofers magically.

Gordon

[rubin]

I don't subscribe to the cost/performance ratio way of thinking. I'm of the mind set if it sounds right to me, I don't care what it will cost if it is within my budget. Expensive or inexpensive does not guide my choices. The Martin Logan Vantage (intermediate speakers) were 5.5K while the S8 was 6.4K. So you see, I stepped down in price for my "perceived" improvement which was real to me.

Gordon
No presumption intended,I thought the s8 tweet was a vast improvement over the 100's.Since you indicated your satisfaction with the 100's Were the s8 tweeters harsh by comparison?

[rubin]

Hawkeye....I have the 100v2 powered with a pair (dont laugh) nad 270's. I had a bryston 4bsst but prefer the nad's. What amps did you use?Mc501'S?Yes they make good bass, I'm not a fan of metal tweeters(prefer textile domes). The bryston was too bright,the nads are laid back, less involved,but it's what I prefer.I also use a tube pre which also darkened the sound a little.


Mike

[Hawkeye]

Mike, No offense taken! It can be difficult online getting points across without tone or facial cues :D Believe me, I will never, ever laugh at any gear somebody uses. This hobby is so singular and personal that nothing is right or wrong in my opinion. The Bryston is a nice piece but if you like the NAD, that's all that matters.

I ran the Studio/S8 with a B&K pre and 220 wattt B&K amp. Still brutal on my ears. Then I went to a McIntosh MC352 amp and it still was not right. The tubed pre, a McIntosh C2200 was next and things settled down a bit. The 501's came next and the S8's settled down a bit more but the fatigue was still there.

I actually prefered the tweet in the Studio over the S8. I could listen to that speaker for hours. My ears are very sensative to shrill highs due to being around jet engines for 30 years. Add in the silver wires I tried and it felt like my ears were bleeding!!.

I eventually went outside the "box" with an ESL which has no tweets at all and now everything is fine in Maryland! The dynamics on the ESL do not have the slam of a box speaker, but a good sub makes up for it.

Gordon

[rubin]

Thanks Gordon,sounds like u have gone through the thick of things.Shrill higns...I understand. I use to be an aircraft mechanic. Do u still have the mac's.

Mike

[Zero]

Personally, I feel that the Studio 100's and the RTi-10 is cut from the same aural cloth. Both sport forward highs, a very open mid-range, slightly tilted up bass, similar imaging, etc. I'm not familiar with the version 1 Studio 100's (only the version 3 on up)... but my recollection is that the Studio 100, though similar in presentation to the RTi-10, is the more refined loudspeaker.

[rubin]

Yes ur correct Zero. Thats y I cut the input to the tweets.It makes for a duller sound but I can't handle razor highs any more

[Hawkeye]

Razor highs. I know what you mean! And it does not matter if your listening to a violin or a burning electic guitar ala Jimmie Hendrix. I think our present or past line of work has an impact on how we hear. That is why I had to get away from tweeters. I was this close to buying a a pair of Dynaudio Confidence C1 or C2. My dealer let me bring home a pair of C1's and after 3 days I knew that tweeters were not going to work for my ears. I'm not technically savvy enough to know why the an ESL does not hurt my ears but I know they don't.

Mike, I don't know if you have treatments in your room but they can help to a point. Not only will they firm up the mids and bottom, the highs can be slightly tamed as well. It is something you may try to take the edge off and if they don't roll it off enough, you'll still have them for your new speaks if that is the route your planning to go.

Gordon

Yes, I still have an all Mcintosh rig. I'm not sure why my sig is not showing

[rubin]

Excuse my ignorance Gordon but what do u mean by ESL.My listening room is filled with puffy furniture and a deep pile carpet.The highs have been tamed to my satisfaction ,some people have said the music is lifeless(boring?) but so be it, music is a personal experiance.

Mike

[Hawkeye]

An ESL is an Electrostatic Loudspeaker. Several manufactures such as Martin Logan, Sound Labs and Sanders all produce them. Some of them use a full panel for all frequencies and some are a hybrid using a woofer for the bottom. They can be somewhat finicky and do require more space to make them sound their best. They are a dipole design and tend to add an ambience to the music which may be absent in standard box speakers.

Gordon

[rubin]

Ok got it

Mike