Paradigm Studio 20 v3 - A VERY Great Monitor System

The Paradigm Studio 20 v3 is a two-way, front-ported bookshelf design with a 1" anodized aluminum dome tweeter, called a G-PAL by Paradigm, and is cooled and damped with ferrofluid. This drive-unit first appeared in Paradigm's flagship Signature Series... the diaphragm's radius of curvature has been reduced in order to improve sound dispersion. The 7" bass/midrange driver has a satin-anodized aluminum cone, also designed for enhanced rigidity. In lieu of a dustcap, the Studio/20's woofer has a gold-anodized aluminum phase plug mounted on the end of the voice-coil former (another Signature feature). The increased air flow improves power handling.

As we usually do with the speakers when testing, we set up the Studio 20s on 24" stands, which are loaded sand. In the owner's manual, Paradigm is adamant that the speaker grille is part of the Studio 20's acoustic design and, to ensure the most natural and coherent sound, should not be removed. I listened to them briefly with the grilles off, and I agree: the highs sounded too prominent, and detached from the midrange. The grilles went back on.

The Studio 20 v3 midrange neutrality and superb detail resolution made it a glorious match for well-recorded vocal and piano tracks. Tucking into Lucinda Williams' Lost Highway via a Gold Note Streamer/amp, on every track, the Paradigms reproduced Williams' voice in a rich, supple, holographic fashion. Carole King's wide vocal range on "So Far Away," from her Living Room Tour was rendered as warm, rich, and natural, as was her solo-piano accompaniment. Moreover, it was very easy to outline the acoustic space in which the concert was recorded.

We were particularly taken with what the Paradigm's did in the lower midrange; ie, the frequency range of male vocals and the lower register of most orchestral woodwinds and brass. I was not only smitten by the neutrality, resolution of detail, and subtle dynamic contrasts the speaker revealed—and it did these in spades—there was also a sense of bloom in this region that I'd never before heard from a bookshelf speaker at any price. When there was any well-recorded work that had a lot of energy in the lower midrange, the Studio/20 seemed to be let out of its cage; difficult to believe this wasn't a large floorstander speaker—or even, at times, to a live performance.

So these Paradigm Studio 20 is VERY good speaker system for NOT a lot of money. They were about $1,100 new and this set in in excellent overall condition. They have been gone through top to bottom by our in-house expert speaker techs and they are ready to play for the next 20yrs. Monitor superstars in look and in performance.

Come have a listen here in Andover or purchase with confidence via this site.

Paradigm Studio 20 v3 Monitor System: $399.00 plus sales tax and shipping when applicable