You could pay $1000 for speakers that sound this good...why?
Written: Jan 18 '02
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
| Flatness: |
 |
|
| Imaging: |
|
|
| Overall Sound: |
|
|
|
Pros: Affordable, natural mids, great bass, excelent imaging.
Cons: Ever so slightly limited high end detail...but this is easily ignored.
The Bottom Line: Not the absolute best sounding speaker out there, but at $345 they are hard to beat, even with a really big stick.
|
|
|
| jawzx's Full Review: Paradigm Mini Monitor Main / Stereo Speaker |
I work in a stereo store that happens to be an authorized Paradigm retailer, and when the Mini Monitor was a brand new model I was in the market for my first pair of "entry audiophile" speakers. I was prepared to spend close to $1000...I even had the money set aside, then I pulled a fresh pair of Minis out of the box and set them up on the demo floor. I was prepared for them to sound great, having owned Paradigm speakers in the past, but as they played and began to break in, I forgot all about my $1000 plan and left the store that evening with a fresh pair of Mini's in my trunk.
The reason? For the $345 retail price you just plain CAN'T beat the Mini Monitor. I tried. The closest things are B&W DM303s, which sound great, but go for $399 and don't have any where near the bass response of the Minis.
Paradigm has taken full advantage of the advanced Canadian speaker design and testing facilities they have at hand and has pushed a value priced relatively "low tech" 6.5" poly woofer and basic Ferofluid titanium dome tweeter about as far as you can go without getting esoteric and tweaky. Relatively simple cross-over design, but high quality components do an excelent job of splitting the highs and lows where they need to go with absolutely NO artifacts. Transition between the woofer and tweeter is flawless and leads to a silky natural midd-range with no response bumps or inter-resonances. The Mini's handle large complex signal with aplomb, only feeling ever so slightly stuffy in the most complex and dynamic orchestral peices. Imaging is top notch, with a beveled front panel integrated into the grills, which improves dispersion and limits refraction of high frequencies, even off axis response is stellar.
Bass response on the Mini's is typical Paradigm. Unlike the Brits and Germans who sacrafice bass for some midd-range clarity (because, after all, all you really want to listen to is classical right?) the Canadians like to get down and boogie with their bad-selves, and the Mini's show this tendancy; massive slam and rediculous low extension (for a 6.5" anyway) let you thump out some party worthy techno with very few apologies.
There ARE better speakers out there, at twice the price. If you have the money and you love the music enough $600+ speakers are defiantely worth considering, however if you love the music, and you DON'T have the money, don't dare make a purchase before listening to the Mini Monitors. Slightly warm, but without major coloration, articulate and detailed midd-range that makes female vocals melt my heart and pretty serious bass make these $345 speakers a major contender for the music lover and home theater lover alike.
The only major downfalls of the Mini are as folows...
Rear port means you can't really put these in a bookshelf, other wise you get some boom and chuff out the back...stands are pretty much a must.
As wonderfull and articulate as the tweeter is, it does begin to fall down a little bit in the real high register. Detail is there, but high strings and trumpet scream can sound a little muted compared to a British or German speaker, and even some American models. However, if you listen to more than just jazz and classical you'll appreciate the Mini's lovable midd-range and thumpalicious bass.
If aesthetics are an issue for you, the Mini has decent quality plastic covering with nice color and believable wood grain, but they arent what you'd really call "pretty"
Power handling is adequate, but as my store is located in a college town I can attest to fact that extreme volume over long periods and a clipping amp will cause clouds of smoke to pour out of a pair of Minis as the glue on the woofer voice-coil catches fire. It's not pretty and it smells bad too...
Still, if money is an issue you just can't beat the Mini Monitor. check out www.pradigm.ca to find a retailer near you, then go take a listen.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 345
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jawzx
|
|
Location: Johnson, Vermont, USA
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Giant Carnivorous Fish
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.