This past weekend I visited a Paradigm dealer and listened to most of their lineup. My wife and I were very impressed with it, and the CD's we brought with us sounded anywhere from better to amazing, depending on which model we were listening to. The one that really caught our ears was the $750/pair Legend. It just really seemed to bring the music alive in ways that neither one of us have ever heard from our Take 5 system. Even compared to higher end models, such as the Monitor 5 or even the Stuido 40, the Legend seemed smoother and more accurate.

Now here's my question. I am very interested in specific opinions on Paradigm speakers vs. Axiom. I am absolutely not trying to start a Coke vs. Pepsi battle here, but just a relative newbie seeking information. I'd love to hear from someone who now owns a pair of M60's or M22's that used to own a Paradigm "X" speaker and why they like their Axiom better, or what they miss about the Paradigm (but why their M22's are still better )

I'm almost sold on the Axioms just from what I've read here and on other HT forum's, but it's hard to buy a set of speakers when you haven't heard them. Yes, I'm well aware of the 30-day trial, but there's still the hassle and cost of shipping them back if I (or my wife) didn't like them.

May I link you here... PMBUKO had a pair of Monitor 9's and he prefers his M22ti's over them (except for the bass response.) He got a sub to compliment them, and now is happy - apparently.

PM pmbuko to get more information.

Enjoy the music!

In reply to:

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Yes, I'm well aware of the 30-day trial, but there's still the hassle and cost of shipping them back if I (or my wife) didn't like them.

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Yes, but what if you get the Paradigm's and decide that you don't like them. Would you be able to return them?

Did you listen to the Paradigm Reference 20? It is comparable to the M22.

I am pmbuko's brother (I live with him), and I also very much prefer the M22's over the Monitor 9. The only thing I felt the Monitor 9 did better was bass response, which it better do considering it's a floorstander with larger woofers. That's it though. The M22 is more refined, clear, neutral and detailed with much better imaging. The Monitor 9 sounds veiled in comparison.

That said, I haven't heard the Legends, and I do remember being quite impressed with Paradigm's Reference line, although they are also significantly more expensive than the Axioms.

I have heard the Studio 20v.2 and can say that the M22 compares very well with it...if not better. I preferred my CBM-170's over the Studio 20's.

I recently had a gentleman over to hear my CMT-340's, and he preferred them "easily" over the Monitor 7's. So my guess is the M60 will also compare very well with the Monitor 7 and 9.

What folks have said about me is true. I love my M22s and am glad I switched from Paradigm.

You mention that you found the Legends for $750/pair and that they are better than the higher end model Monitor 5s. The Monitor 5s are cheaper, are they not? Hmmm.. I remember paying $650 for my Monitor 9s. But that was more than 3 years ago.

Yeah, and you got them 15% off.

Thanks for all the great replies!

We listened to the Monitor 5's, but weren't that impressed. They didn't have any 7's or 9's for listening, unfortunately. The Legend is actually part of their "normal" Performance line. They also had a Reference Studio 40 on display for $1100/pair. It did sound quite nice, but for that price I could have a pair of M80's.

Such tough decisions....

Peter,

I may or may not have mentioned in my email to you awhile back that the M22ti's are virtually indistinguishable from the Paradigm Reference Studio 20s, which I also have. I prefer the M22ti's slightly because the Studio 20s have a slight hump in the bass at 100-200 Hz and the M22s seem to have a slightly more 3-dimensional soundstage, and, smoother and more neutral bass, especially on male vocals.

The M60s would be comparable to the upper-level Reference Studio models from Paradigm for much less money. I haven't heard the Legend, but Paradigm's regular lineup isn't up to the Axiom's performance overall.

Regards,