"I just bought the Paradigm Signature S2 v.3 speakers based on your review"

April 15, 2010

Editor,

I just bought the Paradigm Signature S2 v.3 speakers based on your review, although I never had a chance to listen to them beforehand. I do own the Paradigm Studio 60 v.4s and enjoy them, so I was confident. Finding shops in which to audition gear is becoming increasingly difficult these days, even in major urban areas. I’m glad to say that, as you predicted, I’m thrilled with the performance of the Signatures. I will be downsizing my listening room considerably in the near future and can’t contemplate the enormous subs you recommend. Maybe someday you’ll profile smaller subs. Fortunately, the Paradigms really satisfy me with the their bass quality and, for now, this is not an issue. Thanks again for your recommendation. The speakers are exactly as you described them with the added bonus that they are plenty satisfying in the bass without any augmentation.

Ben Taub

More than just "Loudspeaker Talk"

April 8, 2010

To Jeff Fritz,

I read this article ("Loudspeaker Talk") with interest, since, you may recall, that in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s there was a lot of talk in some magazines regarding the importance of the source (I think this concept was pushed by Linn, whose main business for a long time was turntables -- no need to say more). I even remember UHF Magazine recommending to spend most of the available money on a good source (CD player, turntable) and buy much lesser components with a path of possible upgrade down the road: "garbage in , garbage out" was the thinking. I never subscribed to that theory as I believe that there is a certain balance you must strive for when building a system. In one of his reviews, Andrew Marshall (AM) made the point that you cannot neglect the speakers, since they are the only part of the system that you actually hear. I have a strong feeling that AM, like Doug Schneider, is a speaker guy, but AM's argument made (and still makes) the most sense.

It is interesting that in the last few years I`ve seen a lot of expensive speakers (in magazine reviews, stores, shows) matched with much less-expensive electronics with great results. However, the caution in audio is that there are no absolutes since the reverse is also true: you also see some well-engineered speakers matching very well with much more expensive electronics. Like many buyers, one of the thrills for me when buying audio gear is finding the best component that represents value for money, not in the sense of searching for the dream, dirt-cheap $300 amp beating a $6000 one -- I have never seen this happen -- but finding well-designed components that at a certain price point require serious cash investment in order to significantly improve on its performance. I am thinking of my Simaudio Moon i-5 that six years since its purchase still sounds very good today and will require, to improve on its performance, that I either go with the newer Moon high-end integrated or an amp from another company, at double the cost.

Speakers are for me the most difficult item to purchase; many of the reasons you mentioned in your excellent article. I tend to look for neutrality with an unfatiguing top end. One of the reasons is since I don't listen only to audiophile recordings; a lot of my LP and CD collection has badly recorded music that can grate on the nerves on a revealing system.

Since the advent of home theater and interior designer-conscious purchases, I've seen some setups that lead me to believe that speakers’ placement and how they interact with the room has become an afterthought. I recall seeing in a Quebec magazine a fabulous HT room with expensive Wilson speakers with the mains literally stuck against the front wall and I am thinking, What's the point? Unless of course the owner asked Wilson Audio to alter the frequency response to compensate for the likely boomy bass they would normally produce in such a setting.

You are right in the end: Buy from well-respected manufacturers who adhere to solid design principles, know your preferences, and understand that your listening room may be one of the most important factors in enjoying your speakers.

Sorry for the long letter, but your article really hit the mark with me.

Sincerely,

Pierre

More Buffett advice?

April 3, 2010

To Jeff Fritz,

As a long time Berkshire shareholder, I read your article ("Warren Buffett an Audiophile?") with interest. I believe Mr. Buffett [would have] a couple of pieces of advice for audiophiles: Make your audio purchases as if you were given a ticket with ten punches, one for each equipment purchase allowed during your lifetime. Sage advice to prevent audio nervosa.

Also remember: "Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."

Regards,

Mark Zobel

More things I wish I’d said. . . . Jeff Fritz