To Jeff Fritz,
I ordered the Paradigm Reference Signature S2 v.3 speakers after reading your article in "TWBAS." Quite frankly, I was more than a little surprised to see you compare Paradigm Signature speakers to those from YG Acoustics and Wilson Audio. My 6-12-month plan included upgrading my Usher Audio Mini Two Diamond speakers with those in the $10k-$25k range. Your article really intrigued me and, given the Paradigm’s modest price, I figured I had little to lose.
Some quick facts: my listening room is small-medium in size. My in-room low-frequency extension with the S2 v.3s: -6dB at 31.5Hz. Source: Mark Levinson No.512 SACD/CD player connected directly to a Bryston 4B SST2 amplifier via AudioQuest WBY interconnects. Speaker cables: AudioQuest Redwood. Power delivery: Synergistic Research PowerCell 10 Mk2 and Hologram SE A and D power cords. Vibration control: Stillpoints ESS rack, component stands and Ultra cones.
I cannot get over how wonderful these speakers sound: transparent, dynamic, harmonically natural. Before the Ushers, I had the Dynaudio Confidence C1s and before that the B&W 805S. The Paradigms, which are cheaper than all of the above, are by a large margin the most natural and accurate speakers I have had in my listening room. You are right: the price-performance curve is not linear. Thank you, Jeff, for being willing to ruffle a few feathers to inform your readers of an awkward fact. I still have the budget for costlier speakers but I’m thinking I’ll use it for a couple of nice watches.
Regards,
John Lee, MD
