[Spare Tire]

Initially, i had a budget of 100$ but i've upped that to 300 to cover these two. What i'm looking for is soundstaging, since it's the one thing that i'm missing with my otherwise great staxes (even the sigmas). Which of these two will be the best overall and more specifically better, more consistant, deeper soundstage? They're gonna be sitting on my desk, and i will be pretty much smack in front of them (about 70cm).

 

[jay.money]

Google them and read the reviews.

Personally, I think I'd head straight for the Paradigms. I've had a pair of Titan's in the past and loved them.

 

[Fungi]

I have a pair of used Paradigm Atoms v.2 powered by a Sonic Impact T-Amp (first gen) on batteries, and so far they sound much better than any computer speakers, but they're a little bass heavy and the mids/highs don't "sing" to me, but the overall experience is very passable for low(?) end speakers.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Canadian? Paradigm or Totem.

 

[Spare Tire]

I also got an offer for monitor audio bronze R B1 for 300CADs. That's stretching the budget a bit but i wonder if the upgrade is worth it.

 

[spacemanspliff]

The Bronze have been going for less than $200 usd on audiogon I think.

 

[SilverTrumpet999]

With the new revision 5 of the Monitor series, the Atom Monitor is going to be VERY difficult to beat in its price range. The old Atom garnered great reviews, and used inferior drivers, crossovers, and cabinet construction to the new one. The new Atom is basically a Mini-Mini Monitor... which is a very good thing!

When I was speaker-shopping a year or two ago, I originally looked at the Atoms' line, but moved to the Monitor series because they were clearly and obviously superior. Back then the price of entry was $350 for the Minis, and it was well worth it. Now there have been two more revisions of the Monitor line, the lower line is gone, and the base price of the Monitor sound is $100 less than what it once was.

I'd spring for a new pair of Atom Monitors and never look back.

 

[Spare Tire]

Alright! Spilled the beans on the atom v.5. That was 225CADs for the pair. For the next 3 months, i'll be eating with my ears. Never look back! If anything, i still got my headphones.

 

[oicdn]

How do the "Monitor Audio" speakers?

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/produ...e=4&product=25

I was in Sound Advice today just burning some time, and saw those, gave them a listen and they didn't sound half bad. Any idea how these compare?

 

[Spare Tire]

I don't know, the guy at the shop showed me the Bronze R B1, he said the metalized tweezers on those were better. Don't know about the radius serie. In fact, i didn't even listen to them, i didn't want to bother the guy to get it hooked up in the listening room for budget bookshelfs. And the price was already a bit too high for me.

 

[Dept_of_Alchemy]

Might want to get some bi-polar speakers if soundstage (or at least the impression of) is that important. I'd recommend the Eosone speakers from back in the day as a good value to start.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Meh. It is a pity you get charged so much for shipping but my TAD 805s are much better than the Bronze or Atoms. They are still good speakers mind you. Just not what I would call a screaming good deal. A bit overpriced imo.

 

[lextek]

Atoms. A lot of speaker for the money.

 

[soloz2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spacemanspliff /img/forum/go_quote.gif Meh. It is a pity you get charged so much for shipping but my TAD 805s are much better than the Bronze or Atoms. They are still good speakers mind you. Just not what I would call a screaming good deal. A bit overpriced imo.

have you heard either?


The Paradims are a lot better than the psbs from the limited listening I've done. Of course they were at two different shops on different days with different source material so not the greatest comparison.

I've heard a lot of good things about av123's X-ls speakers. They're currently on sale for $165

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a pair of Onix Reference 1's, a Reference 100 center and a x-plosion sub.

 

[JadeEast]

A few years back I was looking for small book shelf speakers and I had a list of three, the two you mention and the now discontinued B&W 302. I'm pretty sure that the 2 models have been updated and the B&W is now not available new. At the time I ranked them DM302>atom>alpha.