Today, I dropped in a local video store to check out some Mitsubishi RPTV's. While I was in one of the display rooms, I noticed a Paradigm sub tucked away in the corner.

I asked the salesperson about it and he told me they quit selling Paradgim around a year ago. He told me the sub has been sitting around since August of last year and was the last piece of Paradigm left in the store. He told me if I was interested, they would give me a good price just to get rid of it.

I had to check it out, so the salesperson went over to the computer and typed a few buttons and said, "you can have it for $760." I believe MSRP is $1,500. My friend bought his Servo 15 for $1,200. I was ready to pull the trigger on a SVS 20-39 PCi, but considering what happened today, I am in a dilemma.

Now, this unit is a floor model and its a year old (version 2). It looked to be in good shape, but I just don't know how much discount one should expect when buying a demo model that has been sitting around for a year. The sales guy claims it never was demo'd that often and hasn't been hooked up to anything for months. He might be telling the truth since it wasn't hooked up today (they had to hook it up for me to give it a listen).

The price initially seems good, if it were brand new and in the box. However, considering this is a demo/floor model, is $760 really that good of a deal? I just don't know the rule of thumb regarding discount pricing for electronics that are unit/floor models.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

I dont know what the rule of thumb is either,but I do know that most electronic stores are willing to deal a little. If you think its a good sub offer them less than $760 and see what they say. I've gotten several good deals on floor models like that. I found that tweeter will actually come down on most of their prices, demo model or not.

I love my 20-39, but if the price on the paradigm interests you, do a little research on it and see what folks have to say. You can get decent info at AVS Forum or some user reviews here

My good friend and old neighbor has a Servo 15, so I am very familiar with its home theatre performance (heard it on music a few times as well).

I found an old review from September 2002 that stated the Servo 15 can do 114db at 20hz. Another review stated it is capable of 115db at 40hz without factoring in any room gain. Also, I found a review from 2004 which states "According to the supplied specifications, this means a clean in-room frequency response at -3dB of 14Hz with an SPL of 115dB".

Based on those numbers, my guess is the Servo 15 is more comparable to the PB2+. Is that a fair guess?

The real stinker is that they won't let me pay them half now and then come back on the first of August to pay the rest and take it home. They want it all now, which would make things tight until next payday.

For $760, It is a BARGAIN.... you won't regret buying it...

Hi KC_Mike,

I'd agree with Craigsub on this one. That price is a bargain, just a bit above the store's cost, if you factor in the usual retail/distributor mark-ups.

When I was still an editor of Sound&Vision (Canada) in Toronto, I went up to the Paradigm lab when that model was being designed--I think it was in '94 or '95. The Paradigm guys wanted me to hear it, and I gave it enthusiastic approval.

A reviewer acquaintance of mine in California, who admits to being into subwoofer overkill, uses two of them in his system. He also loves the Axiom towers as well, by the way.

Regards,

Yes, I am sure its a bargain since the MSRP is $1,500. However, I am more concerned about price/performance ratio. If I can get a scratch n' dent PC Plus for near the price of the Servo 15, that might be the way to go (I e-mailed Tom and asked this question).

If they don't sell scratch n' dents, then I could still get an SVS that is fairly equal to the Servo 15 for $110 less (figure includes shipping).

I e-mailed SVS to ask their opinion on how the 20-39PCi stacks up against the Servo 15. Tom V replied and referenced a review by Tom Nousaine. In that review, the SVS and Servo 15 were very close (with the SVS having a slight edge). It was a standardized review where only clean output was measured (10% or less distortion).

Thanks for everybody's input. I should know whats going on when I read Tom V's reply tomorrow at work.