I bought the Diamond 9.3 secondhand. They are BIG for bookshelf speakers. For a couple of years, I powered them with an Onkyo stereo receiver (100W/channel). It did not call much attention to itself. Rather, it kind of faded into the background. It is great for cello and percussion. I would almost forget about it when watching Netflix. It is very enjoyable for home theatre use. Speech is highly intelligable. However, when I tested another set of powered bi-amped bookshelf speakers (Hivi Swan D1080mkII), I realized that the Diamonds were unable to reproduce the subtleties of female vocals. They also sounded a little muddy. I assumed this was down to the 8" woofers. Other reviewers also mention that these speakers reproduce vocals simply. However, I found an old NAD 712 tuner amp (25W/channel). This amp component of this tuner amp descended from the NAD 3020. To my surprise, this NAD amp really made the Diamonds sing. The female vocals became a lot sweeter and more polished. Other types of music were a lot more lively. If you look at the other reviews, those who paired these speakers with NAD amps really liked them. I am not sure if this speaker is picky when it comes to equipment pairing but perhaps I was too quick to judge it. If you think the sound is muddy, do yourself a favor by trying a different amp.

BIG... you need space in the room to house these. The vinyl wrap comes loose at the edges. pins holding the grills in place snap easily.

Bought this speaker after several wharfedales for my friend, who wanted something musical, but did not want to spend a lot. Paid 100 GBP used in mint condition with cherry vinil. Size is impressing, compare to other bookshelves, with 8 inch driver. Sound is laid back, you will get involved into the music after long break in, and even if you don't listen it for a week, you need a few song to bring out the performance (to warm it up, and get involved). The best advantage compare to my 10.6 diamond is the vocal. The vocal has more presence than the floorstander has. My girlfriend said, the singer's voice sounds like she is in the room. High, mids and lows are well balanced. Get a sub if you like deep bass, but not necessary. Nice speaker overall, will satisfy an average listener, who don't want to keep running, and searching for the best sound, and don't want to spend most of his money on this hobby.

Thick, bassy, muddy sound - even after a lengthy "burn-in". Vocals don't cut through like they should. The superb Wharfedale Diamond 9.2 has a much more balanced, tighter response, is infinitely more pleasing and much the better choice. Here, "less" is definitely more.

neutral, no coloration, tight but deep bass, big box sound, fine midrange and treble!
look and price, of course!

none at these price point!

I bought these speakers to pair them with my nad c320/521bee combination.
First, I was not very satisfied with them, but after a long time burn in, now I can say it was a best bye!
If you like a neutral uncoloured sound, with deep but tight bass, realistic midrange, and very fine treble, this is a perfect speaker for you.
They play music in the way it is, with no coloration! If you have a bad record, they will sound bad, but if you have a original cd, they will also show you something what you will never heard before: much more details, and a big box sound from a bookshelf speakers.
They also look expensive with curve design and cherry colour, and with the good stands, they are nice furniture too!

Similar Products Used:

mission m33i, b&w 602s3

look, natural but warm sound and price!

none at these price!

Look: first, I must say that these speakers are one of the best looking speakers in that price range. Curve design make that they look expensive (especialy in cherry colour), and with the good stands, they are nice furniture in your living area.

Sound: natural and detailed with a big box bass. In pair with Nad C320bee, Nad C521bee, they sound fantastic.
Notice: burn in period is min. 50-70 hours!

Similar Products Used:

B&W , MA

Smoth, neutral and very tight base, high freq are not par with B&W.
Curvy design are good and perfect
Binding post are nice to have the big wire going there and bi-wire/bi-amp

Grill are cheap
Finishing is not part with Paradign
It's a litle light weight for this box

I must confess, I’m a long time fan of Paradigm, owning: Atom, Titan, Mini-MK3, Monitor 7 and then Studio 20v3. I must say it’s time for some change! Paradigms are nice speakers, but they are often produce a more in the face (punchy) type of sound, the new Studio is nice, but the titanium tweeter are way too bright with some new receiver, therefore I’m looking for more value speakers in the same
Range of the Studio price; I 1st audition the B&W 603s3 and then the Studio 20v3, in which the Studio have a more present to the music, I than audition the Wharfedale Diamond 9.6, boy did you heard all those instruments coming out from this speaker? I then as to listen to the biggest Bookshelf of Wharfedale, he then show me the 9.3, which is the same price (or cheaper) than the Paradigm Monitor
3, in that room they have Monitor 3/5, B&W 601/602, so I have a chance to go thru all those, let me tell you, the Monitor 3 & 5 are way to much boxy sound, B&W are nice but no airy. Wharfedale have a very neutral and very tight base (of cause it have a 8” driver) but mid-rand and high are well balanced you don’t hear those “S” sounds coming out from female vocal. I then take a liberty to ask the vendor to move over the Studio 20v3 over to have an A/B compare. Piano’s and Africans drum’s are way much airy than the Studio, the Studio tended to pitch the sound in your face and the high piano Keys are way to much exaggerated to the point you got your ears hurts!

This speaker is for those who like to enjoy the music much more than have it to a party setup, if party setup is the type of music than Paradigm is a perfect one :)

I come out of the store with a pair of Diamond 9.3 and the CM center. Be notice that those speakers
Require at lease 50h to break-in, so don’t be surprise that the few 1st days you will hate your purchase ?
But be assure after about 70h you will heard what you will never heard with this price range of speakers

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Monitor 5, Mini-Mk3, Studio 20v3