Smooth high-mid range transition. Solid cabinet. Punchy mid-bass.

Not bi-ampable. grill design needs work on appearance.

Best sounding of all the Monitor series speakers. Much more accurate than the Monitros 7''s they replaced. Bass is not as strong but very similar. Overall balance is in the M5''s favor when combined with 24" stands. I am running them in their break-in period with an Aragon 8008ST and the sound is already smooth and defined. IMHO, one of the best sub $1000 speakers you can buy. They do have limitations as far as reference level accuracy goes but for 90% for the general listening public this isn''t a problem. way to go Paradigm!!

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just about everything under the sun.

Price, mid-range, size, paradigm construction - solid

not bi-wirable like old 5s, not to impressed with the finish of the speak cabinent - but not really an issue unless you like to stare at you speakers when listening to them

I don''t know what else I can possibly say in favor of these speakers that already hasn''t been said, but I''ll try. Let me first say that I have been extremely pleased with these speakers and I honestly don''t believe that I could do mush better for the price I paid for these. I currently use the monitor 5s in a strictly audio setup - powered by a yamaha amp and complimented by the Paradigm PDR-10 sub. I live in a small dorm room and size is an issue, so I was quite happy when paradigm remodeled the 5s as a bookshelf. (These speakers are basically last years 7s minus the stand)This setup is more than enough, almost too much, for the confined space. The highlight of these speakers has to be the mids, though the hi''s and bass are well above average as well. The mid range is exceptionally clear and distinctive as you hear every little mistake in poorly recorded tracks. The bass is more than adaquate for most, though as previously mentioned, I use a sub to really obtain the thunderous boom at the low end. Speaking as a poor college student who is always on the look out for steals and deals, I''ll be the first to tell you that these speakers are just that - the best you can get in this price range. Also, if you are in the phoenix,AZ area, Hi-Fi sales in mesa is very good, I can''t say enough about the service there; even as a kid they treated me like a respected customer. Do yourself a favor and go give them your business, you won''t regret it.

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paradigm atoms, paradigm monitor 3

Accurate Highs and Tight Bass

None

Very nice speakers.. I was choosing between the B&W and Paradigm.. but after testing it out.. Paradigm had a more warm feeling and more wider sounds.. I Really Love it!!!!

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None

Clean, open sound. Good soundfield.

Bass, especially when placed in a bookshelf.

My wife and I auditioned the Paradigm Monitor 5 v2 with the intention of buying a pair. The dealer''s demonstration room was open and somewhat deadened by carpeting and other sound absorbing materials. We listened to Widor''s 5th symphony, tocatta for organ. The speakers were driven by a Sunfire amp. The monitor 5s were very clean and open although the large pipes were not quite as loud as I would have prefered during the pedal runs. The bass of the pedal work did not obscure the fine treble which can be a real test for cheaper speakers. After we were very impressed by the monitor 5s, the dealer replayed the selection on a pair of B&W 602 S3s. The B&Ws were slightly warmer in general and provided a little more bass. The final decision between the Paradigms and the B&Ws came down to the placement of the speakers in our house. The Paradigm''s have the bass port in the back of the cabinet while the B&Ws is in the front. Since we are placing the speakers in a built-in bookcase in our family room, the bass port in the back will reduce and restrict not only the bass in general, but also somewhat distort the sound. Even though the Paradigm''s compared very favorably with the B&Ws when placed on stands in an optimum position, the sound will be constricted when placed in a bookshelf.

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B&W 602 S3

Well ballanced all the way up Great Imaging and transparency

I think it lost a little bass after being broke in

These are my first pair of Paradigms I've wanted some for about 5 yrs. They sounded great outa the box I'm pretty sure the bass was a little louder then but I can play them louder now so it's hard to tell. Even still they hit like a good pair of car 8" 's maybe close to 10" 's only clearer and faster. The highs are absolutly crystal and LOUD had to turn down the treble just a little and they ballance out well. Great buy I only wish I had more money to buy bigger Paradigms.

Great Sound, Great Price, Looks Good

None

I had to retire my beloved Energy Pro 22's, tweeter blew..sob, sob.
The new Monitor 5.2's really struck me, more for the sound.
Clean and un-colored. I think they will need some break-in 'cause they seem tight compared to what I heard in the store.
I am using a Paradigm ps2200 sub which also has not broken in yet so I am expecting a wonderful soundstage once these get some serious use.
80% music, 20% HT.
If anyone can suggest the best sub hookup, from a Marrantz SR19 I'd appreciate it. Options are lfe, main, pre-out loop back to the amp.

BTW, y'all need to learn how to spell bass, (base?)

Equip:
SR19
center, polk 175
rears, don't laugh, old radio shack bookshelf. Not bad for ambiance.

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Auditioned, NHT, Mirage, Linn, Thiel, Dynaudio

Nice highs and mids, solid base. Good Looks

not bi-wireable

I've had the Monitor 5's for about a month,and have played them many hours each day to break them in. I love these speakers, I heard a pair of the original Monitor 5's at a friends house and these blow those away!

Full range sound at a very atractive price.

None at the price.

The Paradigm Monitor 5 v.2 is a new stand mount [released in Dec. of 2000] that replaces the old floorstanding Monitor 5. I truely was not prepared for the level of performance that Paradigm is able to provide in a $500 pair of speakers. This speaker provides a coherant, clear sound from top to bottom. The bass on this speaker is tight, firm, and very full. Listening to stand up acoustic bass, I can feel the strings resonate and feel the impact in my stomach. At first I assumed the speaker was "tuned" to the midrange because its so startling clear, and then, a violin comes in so sweet it could make you cry and you realize, this speaker sings as one voice across the entire spectrum. The EPOS ES11 was a highly regarded speaker of a couple years back that sold around $1000.00. The new Paradigm betters it in every regard. The midrange is as clear and open, the highs as sweet and the bass is another story altogether. Where the EPOS rolls off, the Paradigm is just getting started. I can't praise the bass on this speaker enough. As recently as a couple years ago, bass of this quality was very expensive and the exclusive domain of large, floorstanding speakers.Paradigm prides itself on its research and development. All I can say is these guys are doing it right. The fit and finish is also impressive. Its a vynal wrap that looks like wood. Unless your obsessed, this finish should satisfy most anyone. It looks very good. Parts quality appears to be top notch. Again, Paradigm really knows what there doing. I used to beleive high quality ment hand crafted,esoteric , "exclusive", expensive speakers that had to be mated to only the "best" [read: expensive}matching gear. Paradigm has opened my eyes. These things rock.

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EPOS ES11. PSB 500. Boston Acustics CR7.

Gots balls. Crystal clear highs, supportive/detailed mids.

none besides all the girls on my floor hate me... bwhaha

I previously owned a set of Bose 301's and swore by them until I met a friend who owned a set of monitor 5v2's let me compare for myself. The bose sounded muddy and abstract compared to the detailed/clarity sound the paradigms produced. I hear new things in old cd's I've listened to millions of times with these new speakers and absolutely am pleased with my purchase. I also have a 10 inch paradigm sub...the sealed box one that fires from the back...and this set up is ungodly... The only weakness is that the girls in my hall hate me because when I come home from class i wake them up during their afternoon nap....HAHAHA Paradigm RULES.

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none.

Amazing clarity / imaging

need a sub

Those speakers are just perfect. At that price ? .. a STEAL!! stage imaging is astounding, i'm going out of this world listening to Jean Michel Jarre..i really enjoy them and i'm happy to have gatten them at such a bargain price... would buy some more Paradigm in a flash ..( gat the mini monitors as rears and Ps1200 as a Sub with the CC370 as center.. i guess i did buy more Paradim! With Yamaha Amp .. a perfect match!)

My only complaint would be my neighbor !!

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Bostons , Cerwin