Audio Video News

Paradigm Monitor SE 3000F Speaker System: $2,144 (as reviewed)

Nestled in Paradigm’s impressive range of speakers is a tower-based home theater suite tailor made for enthusiasts on a budget. The SE 3000F’s style and finish may be basic, but its performance is anything but thanks to a number of well-considered features, including bi-directional surround speakers, a robust subwoofer, and apps for tweaking subwoofer performance and creating a custom EQ filter to overcome anomalies caused by room acoustics. Veteran reviewer Al Griffin summed it up this way: “At just over two grand, Paradigm's Monitor SE system offers strikingly good sound for the money.”

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive performance for price
Surround speakers provide flexible installation options
Subwoofer with app control and room correction
Minus
Basic build quality and looks

Full Review Here

Paradigm Premier 700F Speaker System: $4,700 (as reviewed)

Paradigm, one of Canada’s most formidable speaker companies, has continued its long tradition of building excellent, audiophile-approved speakers with the Premiere 700F speaker system, reviewed in a 5.1 configuration with the Defiance X12 subwoofer reviewer Tom Norton called “phenomenal.” Norton was duly impressed with the crisp detail and dynamic sound the system delivered with movies and music: “I like how these Paradigms grab your attention and won't let go.” Bottom line: These speakers can hold their own against systems costing twice as much.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Crisp detail
Big, powerful sound
Minus
Tower unstable on thick carpet
Poorly designed grilles

Full Review Here

KEF R5 Surround Speaker System: $10,200 (as reviewed)

KEF continues its longstanding tradition of sonic excellence with the newly revamped R Series, featuring the 12th generation of its signature Uni-Q coincident driver — a design the company has been refining for more than two decades. Veteran reviewer Tom Norton praised the system — reviewed in a full-on 5.4.2 configuration with four Dolby Atmos-enabled height modules and two subwoofers — for its all-around outstanding performance: sweet with music and potent, but not too aggressive, with movies. Looking for a less expensive setup? The system can be scaled to more affordable levels by using Q Series models for surround and height-channel duties.

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Sweet, clean highs
Superb dialogue clarity
Detailed but not aggressive sound
Minus
Slightly limited treble diffusion
R3s make for pricey surrounds

Full Review Here

 

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