I really like the styling both with and without grille. Very accurate and crisp at low volume. I thought the base was excellent (maybe too strong for my neighbors). Demand 100watt amp at minimum. Very efficient with sound dynamics.

Some brightness on symbals and violins (only broken in for 25 hours)- soundstage not at great

Overall a strong recommendation. I run with a Adcom amp and preamp. I bi-wire with Audioquest Granite. These speakers excel with Jazz and Classical, very warm on human voice. Not good for electronica or Metal music.

I use the Rosenut finish, very nice touch with real wood furniture (e.g. cherry or maple).

Similar Products Used:

Last speakers were the BW 602 S2.

Mid and upper range imaging and detail.

Ability to handle a well mastered low frequency soundtracks*. "Contact": chapter 31) went over extremely well! .. I mean, unbelievable!! Tight and well controlled bass. For the cost, the speakers being rated at 34hz is nice.

Pound for pound for the money, these speakers hold up really well on all levels with some others priced much more. They are a very capable speaker for sound production and frequency response at their given price level.

(see below)

After months of listening (200+ hours of mostly home theater versus music – 90/10), I am still searching for anything I can to test on these babies. Can’t get enough of them. I find these speakers to be excellent for their price range (note strengths) with a reliable build quality.

Build

The polypropylene cones are durable, housed to the frame with Butyl rubber. I believe the materials both add to the efficiency in sound production and longetivity, respectively. The particle board frame construction and internal sound proofing mechanics do a very good job reducing internal and external resonances. Although I am no expert by any means, I find the the sound production to be accurately represented, often uncovering poorly mastered soundtracks, whether movie or music . Included with the speakers for footing are grounding spikes and Paradigm calls Outrigger feet. By using the feet, which are essentially L-shaped durable plastic (well feet), that the speaker resides on, gives more ground contact and perhaps more bass extension than the spikes – at least I’ve noticed better (and still controlled) extension using the feet over the spikes. The feet also extend the width of the speaker base about an inch or so, which should help maintaining the upright stance of these speakers, which are fairly narrow in dimension. This might be useful for pet or child owners or those residing near earthquake zones. I do not consider this an issue though. 4.5 out of 5.0

Appearance

Grill on or off? That is the question. I do not believe these are the most attractive with the grill off, at least not in black (my preference and decision). However, with the grills on (which I believe Paradigm prefers that users leave on because the grill is apparantly engineered into the sound reproduction performance whereas some speaker manufacturers include the grills for aesthetic purposes), these speaker look like the monolith from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. They are tall and deep yet fairly narrow and with the grills on, just black as can be. When in a dark environment with the a movie or whatever going, they blend right into the backround – they almost achieve transparency and remain lost, which is exactly what I prefer. Some (WAF aside) may not appreciate their appearance as more speaker like rather than furniture. But, they are speakers – get over it. Realistically, I don’t care what speakers look like as long as they do what they are intended to do (and hopefully do well) - produce sound, period. 5.0 out of 5.0


Sound

These speakers throw a wall of sound at you and fill in my 20x14 listening environment very well. I ran these up against a friend’s set of Klipsch Legends recently and found some really interesting differences. Firstly, the Legends are plainly and outright loud, with a lot of kick in the low end. But this did not necessarily translate into better. Apparently, my friend specced the low end at around 32hz, 2 less than the 7’s. It was quite apparent that the bass output on the legends blew the 7’s out of the water. [* on certain movie soundtracks, there is a dropout in LFE’s which the speakers can be damaged and not pick up. For example, in U-571, depth charge chapter 15, has extreme LFE’s. The 7’s could not handle the output in this chapter. The sound could be muddied and on occasion it seemed like pink noise throughout this chapter. A subwoofer would definitely clean this right up. However, after setting all speakers to small through my receiver, they performed better and hopefully were protected from damage] The Legends on the other hand were able to take these LFE’s to task and it’s almost worth leaving a subwoofer out. On the other hand, when I tested both systems with Enya’s ‘Watermark’, track 5 and a certain opening track from the game, Half-Life and at loud levels, the Legends' bass was uncontrolled, all over the place which muddied up the mid and upper frequencies. On the other hand, the 7’s were “perfect” throughout. The detailing at loud levels throughout the frequency range compared to the Legends was amazingly better and clean, more enjoyable overall in my opinion. Considering the Legends when new costed approximately $2K, I’d have to say that I am that much more impressed with the 7’s capabilities.

Also, when listening to the Eagles, "Hell Freezes Over" DTS DVD disc, the 7's in combination with the Mini's did a great job of adding depth to the sound stage. I was able to imagine certain members of the band crossing over (walking from left to right) and it seemed in some instances that the drummer was actually located behind the front left speaker when Henley appeared more centered and forward of the drummer. It's a pretty cool effect coming from an audio DVD, one that I've never experienced before my current set up. I realize that this sound experience is a combination of things, however, the speakers were no let down - that is for sure. 4.5 out of 5.0

Weaknesses (I’d prefer to refer to the following as considerations rather than weaknesses)

Were a tad bright fresh-off-the-boat, so take this into consideration before reviewing or when testing. The tweeters have since tapered off and are now much more relaxing. Although, every now and again, when the highest of frequencies get thrown into the speakers, they still show a hint of their “metallic” feel.

Placement can be an issue with these speakers (at least within my listening environment). The imaging can be lost off axis, but when this is not a problem when within a +/- 10 to 15 degree plane off center.

They lose some accuracy at very loud volume levels. I stress “very” because for the most part, these babies can handle quite a load before dropping off. Most of the accuracy lost that I speak of is in the lower end.

Closing

These speakers handle very well. They output a well detailed, clean sound at most frequency levels. I was fortunate to find a good deal on these - $440/pr while in Canada and after comparing these to speakers ranging from $500 – 3,000 in price, I could not find a pair better for the difference in price. From what others say and I have found in these speakers’ ability for price, Paradigm has created a new cliché. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to take anything away from these speakers regardless of cost. It’s just that I have heard better performers made of various materials, but these speakers just happened to cost much more. Lastly, I only long for a better separate amp to see what the musical capabilities of these 7’s have. They are great now, but I would like to see the bar raised to exceptional. Bravo Paradigm for an overall excellent performer at all levels!



Onkyo Integra DTR 6.2
Onkyo Integra DPC 5.1
Paradigm Monitor 7 v.2
Paradigm CC-370
Paradigm Mini-Monitors v.2
Monster XP 12gauge (Bi-Wired) “I do not notice any difference since bi-wiring these, but the option exists”
Monitor not worth mentioning

Similar Products Used:

Jensen bookshelf, Paradigm Mini Monitors V.2

Tested: Klipsch SF-2, Klipsch Legends, Energy C-4, a few different Infinitys and Polks among others …

Looks sharp!
And just Shweet sound!

No cup holder

These speakers are one of the best decisions I have made in my young life. Everyone that has been over to watch a movie is just in awe! My next door neighbor even went out and got rid of his Mirage speakers and got a pair of monitor 7's and a cc-370.
I opted for the "Rosenut" color, it makes them look pretty sharp.
They have handled nearly everything I have thrown at them, except Smashing Pumkins, Eye from the Lost Highway soundtrack. The bass in that tune is pretty intense though.
I did put in Green Day's latest album, Warning, and I cranked it up Extremely high to test them out. My wife then drove up and was complaining that they were too loud, by too loud meaning she heard them outside in her car!
Well what I am trying to say is that these are VERY NICE SPEAKERS!
My setup,
Receiver:Yamaha HTR 5280
DVD Player:Sony NSDVP-700P
Center:CC-370
Fronts:Monitor 7 v.2
Rears: Titans
no sub yet I just sold my old crappy sony sub to buy mt Titans, I am looking into either the PS-1000, or a Velodyne.

Similar Products Used:

Crappy sony speakers
polk audio

big sound, not big $$

break-in period creates expectations for better sound

Coming from the B&W DM110's (which are optimized for near-field listening) was a huge jump for me - the M7v2's seem completely relaxed at volumes that beatup my B&W's. My room is large & tall and these speakers fill the space nicely. You get the impression they are bored waiting for more. This is a subjective impression from years of listening to stressed-out B&W monitors - I prefer loud music.

I now have about 40 hours on the speakers. As for the pre-breakin brightness described I can hear it but I wonder how much is the crappy DAC in my CD changer. Smooth down from there where the bass has not reached bottom yet. I have a tube organ CD that made the B&W's literally rattle that these handle easily. I can turn off the subwoofer with no loss of bottom end. My preamp has a bass eq button that I never used because I could never hear a difference. With these speakers it is like a loudness switch - the bass just jumps out. Detail is such that I am picking up coughs and other "new sounds" in CDs that I have never heard before after years of listening. No thrill like hearing a new instrument or layer to make all the $$ worthwhile.

For some reason these are excellent R&R speakers, especially Rolling Stones. I cannot put my finger on it but it seems that the midrange is so well defined they require less volume thus less distortion. Perhaps.

Dislikes - cabinet too tall for wife's liking so I might move speakers to the basement. My 16 month-old treats them like the monkeys in 2001 & the monolith - she walks up to them and touches them & runs away.

All said, when you factor in price these can only be 5 star.

I'll post more when I test some HT and complete the break-in.

Setup:
Moscode 300 tube/mosfet hybrid amp
Rotel RSP-976 preamp
NAIM speakerwire
Audioquest / Apeture low-end IC's
Kenwood 200 CD changer (weakest link - goodbye)

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM110's

flat mids, very good detail, uncolored, transparency of much more expensive speakers, very good off-axis sound,
bi-wireable

Not a beautiful speaker in looks, tweeter harsh and somewhat bright until broken in, will not shatter windows with bass response

Being a bargain hunter I was looking for the most speaker for the least dollars. I auditioned:

Monitor Audio Silver 8'S -superb speaker but $1500
NHT Super 2.5i-dry and to laid back for me, and they look funny
Clement 206i-too boomy

Based on reviews here I got the dealer to give me a pair of Paradigm monitor 7s for the weekend. I was very impressed with the detail and fullness of the sound even without bi-wiring. My listening are is not the best either,the system is on a short wall playing into a large windows with a fireplace on one end of the room. Still they were uncolored in thier reproduction so much so that I disabled the tone controls on my reciever. I bought a pair the next week.
After living with them for six weeks here is my experience. They sound great out of the box. I am using a Harmon/Kardon AVR-210 to power them. They do not require a high priced, high power amp. I bi-wired them immediately and noticed an improvement in openess and vocals over the loaner pair. I pounded them with my music library for the first week for break in. I listen to everything from Led Zepplin to Dave Grusin to Rossini. My CD's for the most part have never sounded so good. I was hearing details in the music I had never heard or noticed before. The tweeters were harsh and certain recordings (ELO) were bright and almost painful more so in the second and third weeks than the first. I was dismayed but kept playing them.
After about 80 hours of use the tweeters magically softened, the brightness disappeared and the sound became richer. Those who have continuing issues with brightness in this speaker after a reasonable break in should check their electronics.
They now sound open, full, and articulate with wonderful mids, and controled bass. The highs are sweet and blend well with the mids at the crossover. Detail is very good though not in the class of the Monitor Audio Silver 8's, but these were $1000 cheaper. The bass will not take paint from your wall but is sufficient for most music. I round out the bottom end with a Paradigm PS-1000 sub set at 55Hz cross over.
They handle home theatre with equal ease. Again rich, uncolored and full in the sound track.
These speakers are not a work of art in their style. They look like speakers not furniture. I have the black ash finish.
For $600 these are an excellent speaker giving the performance of more expensive speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Cerwin-Vega D5, Paradigm phantoms, NHT Super two

Excellent product, clean and crisp, punchy (stiff) bass
decent midrange

none so far

Very clean crisp sound. Detail in the high's are excellent.
Bass is "punchy" but not as deep as the Monitor 9's. I was planning to buy the 9's but after hearing the 7's, they sounded more natural. Excellent speaker for the price. Combined with the ps1000 or ps1200 you got a great combo system.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm 11se
Paradigm 9s
Axiom Millenia 3t

Great detail high and low

A little fussy with placement

Took them home and went oh no what have we bought.
Two month's later much better but still not all that great.
Removed cheap capacitors in crossovers and replaced with high voltage polypropelyne caps also rewired woofers with same length cables and used ofc cable.
Burned them in again and boy those tweeters realy came to life.
Note:the only way to use these speakers is BI Wiring.
Vocals are very clear with base very quick and accured they may not go real low but place ment will play a vital part in this.
Have also tryed BI Amping but still looking for better amplifier didn't notice any difference yet.
For easy listening and light rock these thing are awesome but for heavy stuff at loud levels they brake up and can sound harsh
keep the vol under control and you cannot go wrong.
Our neighbours still enjoy them so they still go fairly loud if that's what you want.
Strongly recomended as a good all rounder for HT and just straight HIFI.

Similar Products Used:

JPW P1, Sonata,Kef's and lots of other stuff

Update on my previous review

I reviewed these about 4 months ago and they still get high marks however,

I have added a Parasound 1205a power amp at 140w and they have leapt to new ground in fidelity. Previously they were powered by a 40w Harmon/Kardon receiver and I thought they were great but I find at the time they were only very good.
Now they are great. Clean, open, excellent imaging, detailed and satisfying. For $600 what a deal!

The moral of the story is good electronics make great speakers great. A lesson for all those disappointed in a speaker that others have given good reviews.

They don't get 5 stars overall because though great there are better. The value is 5 star.

Clean, Clear, Precise

None

Got these speakers 2 weeks ago. They are floor models as I'm waiting for mine to arrive. These are well broken in. I'm amazing at these speakers. Mind you I'm switching from JBL's to Paradigm (large jump). Upgraded my receiver at xmas from a Kenwood to a Marantz SR-7000. I reseached speakers to the enth degree. I put the Paradigms side by side with the Tannoy Mx3's on a impedance matching speaker splitter so I could go back and forth. I tested various audio cd's, dts, and 5.1. The Monitor 7 v.2's blew the Tannoy's away. I was very impressed considering I was planning to purchase the Tannoy's all along. I then borrowed a pair of Mirage FRX 5's and again put them side by side up against the Paradigm's. Although they were closer in performance, the Paradigm's were easily the better speaker. The Monitor 7's fill my room. I've had to go right up to my surrounds and center to assure myself that I was actually listening in 2 channel stereo and no 5 channel stereo. BP ("before paradigm" I always listened to 5-channel audio because the Marantz does a great job with it, but once I plugged in the Monitor 7's, I'm back to strictly listening to 2 channel stereo. The monitor's seem to be able to reproduce more music then the others. I could actually hear more with these. Hi's are better, lo's are better. Volume was incredible. Room volume was amazing.

Anyways, I'm estatic with my purchase. I wouldn't have believed that I could've gotten this type of quality speaker for this price. Don't think twice about purchasing these speakers.

Paradigm Monitor 7 v.2
JBL Center (switching to paradigm any day now)
Mission Rears (switching to paradigm very soon)
Marantz SR-7000
Toshiba DVD

Soundstage, clarity, good bass, made in Canada, quality and value.

none

One of the happiest days in my life was bringing these speakers home, unpacking them, setting them up, and sitting back with some good country music and a cup of joe. The soundstage is incredible. The sound envelopes you and sucks ya in. The harder I push them, the better they sound. No distortion whatsoever. Clean tight bass. Great midrange and soft highs. I have a Paradigm pw2200 sub paired with the 7's. Excellent for HT. Musically, I bypass the sub and run all my bass signals through the mains. Very highly recommened. Shop around and hear the difference for yourself. The 7 v2's are probably one of the best speakers in its class and price range.

Similar Products Used:

PSB, B&W, Paradigm.