Bass, Build Quality

none I have found yet

I love this speaker. I was impressed with this speaker in the showroom. I expected to be underwhelmed with my new pair, until they break in, but I am quite impressed. Out of the box they sound great. I highly recommend these speakers. I picked them up for $350/pair ($400-list).

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Infinity RS-4, Paradigm Mini-Monitor

I have been listening to many speakers; from JBL to Infinity to Wharfedale to Polk, and finally Paradigm. I love my Monitor3 so much. I keep upgrading my HT and audio system since last year when I first came to US and now I found what I really want. I connect my speakers with Denon AVR3200 and Denon DVD2000, This give me an excellence combination of sound.

Good Price

lack of bass poor sound

I wanted to upgrade my paradigm atoms to a larger speaker that would give me an overall better sound. I must say I am very dissapointed in the way these speakers sound. They just don't sound right to me. They are way to bright sounding and the base is terrible. I have a PS-1000 sub woofer and the bass doesn't seem to match the speakers as it did with my atoms. The speakers just don't seem to have a very rich sound to them at all. Like there is something misssing. I am running them off of a sony str de-925 a/v reciever. Maybe its the reciever I am using. Does anyone else have this reciever with the monitor 3's? I need some advice as to why they sound cheap. I use the word cheap because that is the quality of sound I am getting out of these speakers right now.

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paradigm atoms

Cheap price, lots of bass

shallow soundstage

Found these at a pawn shop for under $100, so had to try them. Bountiful bass down to 40 hz or so, but a little uncontrolled and vague in the lowest frequencies. Midrange and up sounds pretty good, especially on orchestral music. My stands were too tall, and haven't had time to try all positions, but preliminary assessment is that the soundstage is a little one dimensional and not very deep. An absolute steal for what I paid. My Atoms are used with a powered subwoofer, but I think the Atoms beat these in the midrange by a bit. The unassisted bass of the Atoms is tight as far as it goes, but the Monitor 3's go down a good 40 hz lower than the Atoms. If you are paying full price, I would recommend the Atoms over the 3's unless you really need the bass. My Dunlavy's are in a complete other league, as they should be for the price difference.

Similar Products Used:

atom, Dunlavy SC-I, Energy XL15

clarity, fresh and really "big" sound, big and deep soundstage,natural voices

apperance, more in mid i wish

Paradigm's sound much better than others loudspeakers in that price.Involving sound, real pleasure in listenig music.
Get the stands for them!

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Aegis one, Tannoy M2, Qadral Mistral X

The clarity of sound offered by this speaker makes it sound like a huge tower speaker.

The loudness and bass capability leaves a little to be desired.

When I heard these speakers in the showroom, I was beyond impressed. I looked over several speakers like it and decided on the monitor 3. I am so happy I did. The clarity of sound, the range of these speakers are truely impressive. I need to add the sub to complete the system I want. If you have any doubts, this is the speaker for you.
But be sure to do a lot of shopping, someone will be willing to come down off of list. I went to Canada and found a better deal there. These speakers are for the person who wants extremely crisp sound reproduction. I am using this with a JVC RX-888VBK hooked to a digital sat. dish and using the fiber optic surround sound. I LOVE THESE SPEAKERS!

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none

Gorgeous sound, just as good or better than speakers twice thier price!

Not all that pretty, but definetly not an eye sore either, but, who cares?

These are the first pair of "quality" speakers I've ever owned, and I can honestly say that they are worth every penny. I listened to a few speakers in a few different stores, but with each store having different accoustics it was getting very difficult to tell the differences between one or the other. So went for the Monitor 3's and I'm totally satisfied. I purchased them at HiFi2000 in Mississauga, but with much difficulty getting to hear the Version 2's. They were trying to unload a pair of version 1's but the cabinets were quite banged up. (A word to the wise, ask your sales person to turn off ALL the speakers accept the ones you wish to audition BEFORE you begin. My sales person neglected to inform me that there were not one but THREE subwoofers on while I was auditioning some tower speakers.)
Some reviewers say that they sound like crap out of the box. THIS IS TRUE! But, Paradigm plasters "These speakers require a break-in period of several hours before you do any critical listening" all over thier documentation. After a week or so of listening to the radio at some moderate levels I threw in a CD that I am particularly fond of and I was blown away by the difference in sound one week made. The bass is so rich without sounding boomy I could'nt believe these smallish speakers could sound like that. The mid to high frequency sound is very natural, with out sounding to harsh or laid back.
Give these speakers a try. They must be heard in your home to really be appreciated though.

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Old beat-up pioneer speakers which got me through high-school, college, and my first four years of married life, it was time for somthing better.

Great looks, Great robust sound, Price

none

I have used these speakers for about 2 years now and i must say that i am still impressed. My friend was looking to get polks, but then i took him down to my dealer, and he ended up buying monitor 9's. The 8 in driver really does justice to the low frequencies and the ptd tweeter is excellent. I have used these for listening to cd's, watching dvds, and throwing parties that really tested these speakers. I have never had a problem with these and they sound incredible. i am going to move these to the rears and get some monitor 9s up front.

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cheap klh's and cheap pioneers

Great looks, Great robust sound, Price

none

I have used these speakers for about 2 years now and i must say that i am still impressed. My friend was looking to get polks, but then i took him down to my dealer, and he ended up buying monitor 9's. The 8 in driver really does justice to the low frequencies and the ptd tweeter is excellent. I have used these for listening to cd's, watching dvds, and throwing parties that really tested these speakers. I have never had a problem with these and they sound incredible. i am going to move these to the rears and get some monitor 9s up front.

Similar Products Used:

cheap klh's and cheap pioneers

I love everything about them!! They are no doubt the best speakers out there for the price.

The fact that I don't have two more.

You know....I don't know how some people can bad mouth these speakers. If you like your music to sound realistic, loud, clear, and youdon't have the money for the huge, powerful speakers these are your speakers. I've noticed that I payed alittle more than most people but I could care less. They have more than payed for themselves!! If you can find something wrong with the Monitor 3 AND justify it you have WAY to much time on your hands. Just go to your local paradigm store and ask for a demo, I know you will walk out with atleast one pair.