Paradigm Reference 3se mini Floorstanding Speakers
Paradigm Reference 3se mini Floorstanding Speakers
USER REVIEWS
[Jul 15, 2020]
Dr Woo
Strength:
These speakers are barely listenable they will make you sterile. Every body quit buying these and driving the prices up. Weakness:
They will also make you cross eyed. Buy at your own risk. Though you won't like them. Price Paid: $4000.00
Purchased: Used
Model Year: 2018
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[Aug 11, 2012]
Rich
Audio Enthusiast
Purchased 25 years ago. With children and the grand daughter now, these speaker have had been through there share of spikes and transients,and still sound great.
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[Feb 02, 2011]
Bill
AudioPhile
Replacing the surrounds on my daughters Paradigm Titans stoked my interest in Paradigm. All Paradigms are pretty good but one is special. The 3se mini. I have listened to Titans, Mini-Monitors v3 and v4, Se 7's, and Studio 20's. There is something magical about these little guys. Silk and paper IMHO outperform plastic and metal. With good electronics and 24" stands(properly placed) the 3 se mini's can hang with speakers costing 5 times their price(used market). Some notable features: the mid-range especially female vocals have that "air" around them that one would experience with $1000 speakers; the bass is fast and as deep as possible with a 6" woofer. The overall presentation with proper placement and power is astounding. |
[Jan 07, 2007]
Derek H
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
strong,crisp,deep base with good clear highs.
Weakness:
none I got my 3se-mini's in 1988-89 when Paradigm first started selling in the US (or so I was told by the sales guy). I've used them on several brands of receivers with various sub-components and am always impressed with their performance. I still use them as my main speaker system with surrounds, a center + sub because I haven't been happy with any of the out-of-box systems. I've convinced (thru sampling) 3 other consumers to purchase Paradigm products. This has given me the opportunity to hear other Paradigm products which may look nicer but pale in comparison to the 3se-mini's when the crunch goes on. I will not be afraid to get a new product from Paradigm in the future. ANYWHERE you can find these - get them -- plain & simple.. Similar Products Used: venturi 5-1 and acoustamass 6 series I |
[Nov 05, 2003]
moonsky
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent musicality, easy on the ear (and the budget).
Weakness:
For their size and price, none. These are excellent speakers. Great definition across the frequency range. Like all small speakers they don't have the ultimate in bass, but what you do get is a well balanced musical presentation which is totally non-intrusive. I've listened to quite a few higher end speakers, NHT, Krix and Orpheus to name a few. The Paradigms survive very well in this kind of company. If you are in the market for quality bookshelf speakers, these are well worth consideration. At their going price on ebay, they are nearly an unbeatable bargain. |
[Jul 25, 2002]
c-man
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Everything: smooth sound, great bass, tremendous power handling
Weakness:
None I purchased these little wonders used in 1994 or 1995, and for the past 7-8 years they have been my references. I've auditioned other speakers and found none I like better unless they were several TIMES the price of new ones (the current model, which is now four or five generations later, is the Mini Monitor, which has received rave reviews and lists for a paultry $350). I've had these speakers in four different listening rooms, all of different sizes, shapes, and compositions, and they have always been superb. The sound is even and fluid, without the slightest hint of harshness or stress. And the bass--all I can say is that, from a 5.75" woofer in a small enclosure, it is OUTSTANDING. I use these for classical (CD and vinyl), 70's rock, heavy metal, and movies/TV, and they work equally well across the board. Not only that, but they can take a temendous amount of input without any cone breakup or other distortion (the upper trebble CAN get a little harsh at very loud levels, but it's minor). During *The Empire Strikes Back,* when a star destroyer rumbles overhead, these little woofers actually shook my furniture! If you're in the market for great speakers with a small footprint, the newest version just can't be beat. Similar Products Used: Polks, Yamahas |
[Dec 01, 1999]
Kevin Carlson
Casual Listener
Have both the 3se mini's and the Phantoms |
[Jul 12, 2000]
Bill M.
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Great bass for a little speaker, price.
Weakness:
None that I have heard in over 6 years of listening. I don't think these are still on the market, but they are what sold me on Paradigm speakers. Great bass, nice highs and in such a small speaker, I don't know how they do it. If it is still possible to get your hands on a pair I would go for it. My only regret is that with upgrades in my system I am not able to use them more often. Similar Products Used: Paradigm Mini-Monitors |
[Aug 24, 1999]
jim
an Audio Enthusiast
I picked up a pair of these on eBay this summer. They are an older model, I believe circa 1992-94. Look very similar to mini monitors, which I think replaced them. Coated paer cones on the woofer, not poly. Now, how they sound: In a word, AWESOME!! And I don't use that word very often. These speakers have unbelievable bass output for their size, only a 6.5 inch woofer. On HT the floor actually rumbles, and no, I don't even own a subwoofer! That deep bass is very tight and clean in music playback, and the highs are smooth, clear, and very musical. With these speakers, you just listen to the music and become very absorbed in whatever song is playing. I have a Sony DVD player doing duty as my CD player now (until I can get the Ah!Tjoeb99) and Sonys are known for their thin, somewhat harsh sound. With these Paradigms, the treble comes out clear, smooth, but not harsh. My only small complaint is the midrange, especially voices, is a little laid back, not real "up front" I recently brought home a pair of Paradigm Phantoms, also older models (bookshelf, not floor standing) from a pawn shop to try them against these little 3se's. I thought, "the phantoms are bigger, with an 8 inch woofer, so, more is better, right?!" WRONG! the 3se minis blew those phantoms right out of the living room. The minis were much cleaner, less "boxy" less "nasal" and a lot more fun to listen to. I was surprised. If you ever have a chance to get a pair of 3se minis, or newer models from the monitor series (I would beware of the performance series, nice speakers, but I think the monitor series speakers are well worth the small increase in price.) snatch them up, you'll love em! I'm a Paradigm fan forever. |