Paradigm's Studio 60 v.5 5.1-channel speaker system gets a big thumbs up

by Steven Kim posted May 21st 2009 at 9:50AM

Our highly unscientific field study of fellow HT enthusiasts who crave really good audio shows that there are two camps -- those who say good things about Paradigm speakers and those who have never heard Paradigm speakers. By reading AVGuide's review of the Paradigm Studio v.5 5.1-channel system (yes, the whole kit including the Studio 60 floorstanders, CC-490 center, ADP-590 surrounds and a SUB 12), the company can expect to add more relatively well-heeled customers to its roster. The $6,200 package turned in a great performance that will appeal to those who favor a neutral frequency response and with well-defined imaging, characteristics that should fare well in HT and audio-only applications alike. Just be sure to audition speakers that have seen about 20-hours of audio before passing judgment -- the treble on Paradigms can be kind of "hot" out of the box. Admittedly, $6k for a speaker setup these days is nothing to sneeze at, but don't confuse price with value; it sounds like the fifth generation of the Studio line has closed in on the top-end Signature series of speakers.

EDIT: photo updated.

Filed under: Reviews, Speakers, Others

Tags: adp-590, avguide, paradigm, paradigm adp-590, paradigm studio 60, paradigm studio cc-490, paradigm sub 12, ParadigmAdp-590, ParadigmStudio60, ParadigmStudioCc-490, ParadigmSub12, review, speakers, studio 60, studio cc-490, studio v.5, Studio60, StudioCc-490, StudioV.5, sub 12, Sub12

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

BarkingGhost @ May 21st 2009 10:16AM

Back in c.2002/3 I bought a set of Studio 100's with matching center and surrounds, and a year after that a PW2200 sub. I think I paid about $4K for the set. I love the speakers, and so-so on the sub.

I like the speakers so much that I find no reason to upgrade them, and I believe these are v.1 series. The subwoofer's amp has a nasty auto on/off and usually crackles a pop, and I think watching some Japanese DVDs had beaten the audio in hotness to over-driven the coil.

So, while I will most likely be upgrading the subversion, the speakers are still in prime condition. Would I do it again? Sure, but i may be a bit more reserved considering the US-Canadian dollar ratio is not in this Yank's favor.

Lowest Ranked

PuBeLeSs @ May 21st 2009 10:16AM

im 20, and as a child i never once say a theater system, and we didn't own a DVD player till i got a job and could afford something over then Nintendo (xbox 360) i just purchased my first 5.1 system for 600 dollars and i tought i was really treating myself. 6,000 DOLLARS FOR A 5.1!! system. i know this has got to sound amazing BUT DAAAAAMMMMMNNNNNNN. engadget you could def send these to me and let me try them out. really. please? pretty? super? please?

Highly Ranked

Canadian Bacon @ May 21st 2009 11:41AM

I actually have about a $3000 Paradigm HT system but the key is, I didn't buy it all at once. I might have gotten a better price overall if I had but I just wasn't prepared to plop down all that money at once. So I started off with the 2 fronts and the center channel, then bought the subwoofer, and I actually just got the surround speakers in the mail today.

Was I missing out by not buying them all at once? Sure, but I can sleep better knowing that I didn't have to dip into my savings, etc in order to buy them. I loved the front three speakers by themselves, love them with the subwoofer, so now I can't wait to set them up with the surrounds.

If you like audio then a more expensive speaker system is probably worth it.

Neutral

Paul @ May 21st 2009 12:22PM

I'm defiantly in the "Love Paradigm" camp. Just about everything they do has incredible bang-for-the-buck, so if these come in at 6k, they're probably competitive with a lot of other products at 10k (this is true of many Canadian speakers, since the Canadian gov. provides very affordable anechoic chamber services and laboratories for them). I have a Millennial 200 based 5.1 setup (the more NYC apartment/aesthetically friendly speakers from Paradigm's Signature Series) and I LOVE it (though my neighbors probably hate it).

Neutral

Charles @ May 21st 2009 10:54AM

Hey guys, maybe you could throw these in for your next "leave a comment giveaway". And then stack the deck so that I'm certain to win them. I suspect they'd sound just a bit better than the cheap Yamaha POS HTiB system that I stupidly bought several years ago. You think?...

Neutral

Vidikron @ May 21st 2009 11:16AM

Thankfully you won't actually have to pay $6200 for these speakers. You should be able get at 20% discount (maybe more) off the MSRP if you shop around. I actually just bought a new set of v5 Paradigms a couple of week ago and love them.

Neutral

Canadian Bacon @ May 21st 2009 11:43AM

The guy in my area refuses to let any current versions of Paradigm go for any more that 15% off unfortunately. And for warranty issues, you pretty much have to buy local for those. Though I've heard that Paradigm support is awful.

Neutral

Vidikron @ May 21st 2009 12:05PM

Yeah, Paradigm only officially warranties speakers bought via an authorized dealer and doesn't support internet sales. So you pretty much have to buy locally or at least somewhere within reasonable driving distance. Before I purchased I contacted every authorized dealer I could find within about a 75 miles radius from my house and asked for quotes. As luck would have it a local home theater specialist less than 2 miles from my house offered the best price. I can't say one way or another about their support since I've not had to use it. Probably just best to let the dealer than sold you the speakers deal with Paradigm.

Neutral

zim2411 @ May 21st 2009 11:29AM

These look pretty gaudy... like $50 car subs you get at Best Buy. Hopefully better looking with grills on them...

Highly Ranked

TrentD @ May 21st 2009 11:33AM

I suppose you fall into the camp that has never seen/heard Paradigm speakers.

Taste is a personal thing, but these speakers are very good looking in my opinion. Paradigm made them to be played with the grilles on, however, and tunes them with the intent that you'll leave them in place for critical listening. So no fear on the cosmetics.

Neutral

zim2411 @ May 21st 2009 11:44AM

No, I've heard Paradigm speakers before, and I'm sure these sound absolutely fantastic. I just checked the site, and with grills on they look fine. Grills off though, they look quite blinged out, like they belong in a house on MTV Cribs.

Neutral

NickG @ May 21st 2009 11:38AM

I'm dying to here this new series. I currently have the Studio 40s V3, CC-570 V3, and a Seismic 12 (absolutely amazing) and I love it. The sound is so clear and full, I can only imagine little being added to the V4 and V5 series though.

I am hoping for one thing at this point. Maybe someone will get upgrade fever and let their Studio 100 V3 pair go for a good price.

Used Paradigm has got to be one of the best values in home theater next to Emotiva.

Neutral

Vidikron @ May 21st 2009 12:11PM

Do you have an Emotiva amp? That's actually my next planned purchase.

Neutral

Nick @ May 21st 2009 12:22PM

No, I do not own the Emotiva amp, yet. If I upgrade to Studio 100s, then I will surely buy something more substantial than my Marantz SR8001 to power them.

Neutral

Pip @ May 21st 2009 12:03PM

Still have a Monitor 7 set up from 2000 or so, and they are still fantastic. I agree with the bling out look with the grills off, I think a lot of companies are doing this now for whatever reason. Maybe people find them stylish this way. So long as it doesn't effect the sound, why not? I'll keep my grills on, though.

Neutral

kevon27 @ May 21st 2009 12:20PM

Man. I wish I was a scientist like Steve (hmm, lab coat, glasses and a pocket proctor) so I can afford Paradigms..

Neutral

Gregory @ Jul 5th 2009 10:44AM

For crying out loud Kevon...go join the Bose-a-philes crybaby sites for those that think you cannot afford real speakers....Paradigm is for everybody that has any ambition to work any job that really wants good performance....you sound like the town princess of I feel sorry for myself and I just cannot afford good speakers because you're just plain stupid and want attention...stop wearing your loaded diaper and stop stinking the place up with your baby crap....you're just an excuse for infidelityphiles...or Neanderthals and the Kevon cooked their Bose and were impressed by the crisp sound of fake wood burning and then they discovered expensive firewood....stayed tuned on the discovery channel when Kevon discovers real speakers but thinks only Scientists can afford Paradigm...but its so obvious...even a caveman can buy good speakers...not town crybabies with a pocket proctor in his pocket....

Neutral

Rrrrrob @ May 21st 2009 4:01PM

If you insist on circular linking Paradigm, can you at least provide the link to the manufacturers website as well. It's obnoxious to click the link anchored on the word Paradigm and end up back at Engadget's tag page for Paradigm. Or perhaps an icon letting us know what type of link it really is. I get that it's page views and click through numbers that help generate ad pricing. But throw us a bone and at least identify when a link is really an Engadget tag page link. Or just link to the manufacturer :)

Neutral

TRT @ May 21st 2009 5:14PM

I have compared my studio's to speakers that cost more than most homes. There may be speakers that sound just as good, but few sound better. Neutral with a large sweet spot. Perfect for larger listening rooms. I think the subs are a little on the overpriced side of the fence, but the speakers were worth every dime. Highly recommended!

Neutral

Gavin @ May 22nd 2009 12:54AM

I loooove paradigm gear., I bought my paradigm setup 2 years ago, version 3 studio 100's, studio 20's and a cc470 centre speaker. Since then I've added a SVS plus/2 woofer and a elektra power amp.

it's a nice rig. I looked at a lot of speakers before setting on the studio 100's.

Neutral

Nossy @ May 22nd 2009 9:14AM

IMO investing in a VERY good set of speakers can last many years if you are use your HT often and have a room for it. You usually don't have to replace a well built and good sounding speakers unless you "think" you can get better ones and have abundance cash flow. Just buy good front towers and center and you are all set for many years to come. My last set of speakers was retired after 12 years of use. Buying speakers set over $5000-$6000 usually falls into the category of diminishing returns. You end up paying more for less (small gains for high price). I'd definetly dig these Paras if I didn't purchase my RFs. And yes, you always need to break in the speakers before passing judgement.

Neutral

thedankone @ May 22nd 2009 4:00PM

Thats not the Studio 60 v5 pictured is the v4. Nice research you can get the fucking picture on the website: http://www.paradigm.com/images/reference/speaker_type_2/series_13/model_28/studio60_2_off.jpg

Neutral

Steven Kim @ May 22nd 2009 4:18PM

Yeah, you're right -- accidentally grabbed the previous gen pic from the PR site. Pic now fixed.

Neutral

Brad Mendel @ May 29th 2009 12:11PM

I got myself some PSBs which are very similar speakers and I love them. The paradigm makes some of the best speakers for the money. The PSBs are slightly less expensive so I went with them instead. Spend money on your audio, its worth it.

Neutral

Chris @ Jul 1st 2009 2:34PM

I recently replaced my old gear with a set Monitor 7 fronts, Titan rears and a CC490 center and I couldn't be happier! The Paradigms aren't cheap and I had to swallow hard to go ahead with a $700 center but am glad I did...That is one sweet speaker!

The Paradigms are sensitive to placement so don't just drop them in the most asthetically pleasing spot and call it good...move them around. In my room, the difference between good sound and great sound was only about 18".

Neutral

mhob @ Jul 10th 2009 5:43PM

What is the reason for going with a CC-490 center with Monitor 7's? I don't get it. The front three speakers should be matched up from the same line, so they have the same sound. Unless you plan to upgrade the Monitor 7's to Studio 60/100's soon.

I went with Monitor 9's and CC-290 myself. Whenever I decide to go Studio line, all three of the Monitor's will be replaced at once. Doesn't make sense to mix the lines up. If you can't afford to go all Studio, then get all Monitor right away.

Neutral

Chris @ Jul 13th 2009 11:56AM

The center speaker area in my credenza is 20 inches wide and the smallest center in the Monitor series (CC-190) is over 22". In retrospect I'm glad it worked out this way for a few reasons: I'm most likely to upgrade to the Studio series. Because the drivers appear to be from the same manufacturer, the "tone" seems very similar but I find the tweeters in the Monitor series sound kind of "dry" where the Studio CC-490 does not. I like to keep the speakers from the same manufacturer but don't personally (IMO) think it's imperitive that they are all the same series.

ESA founder Doug Lowenstein receives AIAS Lifetime Achievement Award Brutal Legend gets papercrafted Sanitarium now available on GoG.com	Google announces big price cuts on paid extra storage for GMail, Picasa Web OS X 10.6.2 offers tons of fixes, breaks Atom support again SheepDog rounds up stray application windows on multi-monitor setups
Adobe layoffs strike home, 680 to lose jobs C64 emulator back on the App Store EA to lay off 1500 workers, close some facilities	Holiday shopping Madoff-style Why do we have a weak dollar? Is Apple closing in on Microsoft?
Reminder: Left 4 Dead demo now available 4 all Games on Demand has a high-price Monopoly Xbox 360 Fancast 142 -- ODSB	VIDEO: Even if the Mercedes E-Class Wagon doesn't handle like a slot car, it can still handle slot cars Lumma Design shows bizarre black-and-white BMW M5 with 730 HP Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.10.09
Indie kart racing game Zero Gear in beta testing Dragon Age: Origins dev diary brings forth gruesome combat Is the Emotiv Epoc PC thought-based controller really coming out soon?	As Raider Nation Turns: Latest on Cable No Team Claims Larry Johnson NFL Power Rankings, Week 10: The Ugly Side of Parity