I purchased the Moniter 3's initially to replace my blown AR 48B's. It was a hard choice, between the B&W DM602 and the Moniter 3's, and although I preferred the B&W, the savings I got buying the Parqadim used (for $300 no tax) swayed me. Imagine my suprise when I reconed the old AR's and still liked them better.
All that means is that the AR 48B is simply one hell of a speaker. I now use the Moniter 3's in my office and they are far too good to sit in an office where they never get to really let loose..but then again, it's better than a boom box, right?

Very clean sounding with a nicely defined low end when used in a small to medium sized room.

Definately need power to get the best performance in larger rooms. Not the best for pure musical reproduction.

I've had the Monitor 3 for about 10 months now and couldn't be happier. In conjunstion with a Technics SAX610 receiver they have a good clean sound with plenty of bass. While I do have subs in my system (2 twelves and 1 fifteen), I tend to turn off the subs when watching movies late during the week. The Monitor 3s give me enough low-end to allow me to still have some bass without annoying the neighbors.

I love these speaker when it comes to watching TV and movies. The one drawback I have is they don't sound all that great on music. I can't explain it and it might be my receiver, but I don't like the sound I get when playing music.

I've used these units in a much larger room, and they definately seemed underpowered with my Technics receiver. Using a better amplification source, they did sound much better.

For the price, these units are phenomenal.

Great soundstage and awesome voice reproduction.

At most, tweeters can be a little more crisp in reproducing cymbals.

I test drove these speakers at the dealer while they were attached to a mostly NAD system and I thought they sounded very good. However, after bringing them home and attaching them to my ACURUS amplifier, WOW! What a perfect match. I'm sure they sound good in most other systems, but they really really sound good with my amplifiers I used to have 600 series B&W speakers, but was always impressed with Paradigm's vocal reproduction. While musically, I have mixed feelings between the B&W and the Paradigms, Paradigms are a lot better in a home theater application.

The rest of my system:

Sony DVD-ROM
Pioner Laser Disc Player
Rotel Pre-amp
Sony Dolby Digital Decoder
Adcom Line Conditioner
Tara Labs speaker wires
Monster Cables Interconnects
Defitinitive Technology Subwoofer

Similar Products Used:

B&W 600 series.

Musical, Price

None if consider its price; but all speakers are flaw without considering the price

This is a little money for a great sound. It's about $450 cdn. The similar product like B&W602 in Toronto costs you about $999, a double price. I couldn't blame other speaks though; but the Canadian audio dealer should think about the real price behind the speakers. Paradigm does make a great sound reproduction. Check out their other stuff.

Similar Products Used:

B&W302, 602; Totem Mite; Lots of other bookshelf speakers

Musical, Price

None if consider its price; but all speakers are flaw without considering the price

This is a little money for a great sound. It's about $450 cdn. The similar product like B&W602 in Toronto costs you about $999, a double price. I could blame other speaks though; but the Canadian audio dealer should think about the real price behind the speakers. Paradigm does make a great sound reproduction. Check out their other stuff.

Similar Products Used:

B&W302, 602; Totem Mite; Lots of other bookshelf speakers

superb quality drivers

after reading many reviews, I decided to check out the paradigm line at my local dealer. I listened extensively to the mon 3, mini-mon, and phantom. The phantom sounds horrible in comparison to the other two models. I chose the mon 3 (living in a townhouse, the front port might keep my neighbors a little more happy). The crispness of those titanium tweets is very addictive. I replaced some old 12"
polyprop 3 way monsters, (soooo glad that I did!) These are so much more musical. $400 can/pr (some of the best money I've spent!)

These really are good, clean speakers, that put out great sound for their size (& cost). As a Canadian living in HK, was surprized to see this at a dealer here. Have since purchased NHT SuperOne's & 1.2a center channel, intending to put the Paradigms as rears, but after direct AB testing, realized Minimonitors sounded much fuller (not just bass)... now NHTs are my rear, and the mixed system actually sounds pretty good. I recommend Paradigms no problem, now about to buy Velodyne CT-100 for some kickin' bass!

I am 17 years old and on my way to th eownderful workd of being in eternal debt as a result of a system. As a young audiophile with old "not so audiophile" parents it is tough to get mom or dad to go for soemthing that you can say sounds good. I was blessed to have an audiophile friend with an audiophile father and we came accross these paradigm's. They are exceptional speakers. My selling point to my father was the fact that they can do two things very well. They produce music so sweetly as well as perform under the demanding conditions of action movie soundtracks. These speakers serve as the left and right front channels. They are very musical and have no qualms about about holding dynamic changes or playing at low levels. They are however a little bit on the puncy side. I would wonder about having the CC350 center channel as both center left and right as being a better decision.

Just makig a correction and the "Style that best decribes you." Category --> Enthusiast

Best speaker for the price

none for this price

I've had the moniter 3's well over a year now .Unlike other reviews I've read here I think the bass is as near as perfect as $400 moniters get. Rear wall distance and amp power/quality do make an amazing difference. I recently upgraded electronics, and good speakers just got better. Yes the treble is somewhat laid back but I think they're perfect.(Who wants bloody ears?)As long as you stick to musical sound.Bass is excellent for a box this size. midrange is satisfactory.
Imaginging is excellent.
And last but not least I know they're called bookshelf speakers but do yourself a favor and get some solid stands to put these guys on
late...