I recently purchased a pair of the new Monitor7 V7 floorstanders,and this is my review of them.I am not a Paradigm fanboy,but did own a pair of thier Compact Monitors in the 90's,and they were absoulutely great bookshelf speakers.I believe this new version of the Monitor series comes very close performance wise to those.These new Monitor7 V7's are the real deal.They are very neutral and muscial,without being analytical.They deliver strong bass and very good dynamic contrast in music.My only slight criticism would be that the highs can be just be little bright depending on the material played.But overall,i find myself listening with no fatique at all.I believe thier value to money spent is very high.No,they won't sound like a pair of $2500.00 Proac florstanders,but have greater value than a lot of much higher priced speakers.And they are not just for Home Theatre.I am a 2 channel guy only,and they serve all types of music with very good sound.And BTW,i have owned many good loudspeakers including Paradigm,Snell,NHT,Signet,AR,JM Lab and others.I am powering them with an Adcom GFA-5400 amp at 125 WPC,so they are getting good clean power.If your looking for smaller floorstanders,they are definitely worth a listen.

Non-fatiguing and natural sound, excellent when paired as part of a HT setup with other v.5 speakers, forward and free flowing presentation without constraint.

Slight loss of bass and midrange, but the price/performance ratio make this a non-issue. These are HT speakers.

I bought these speakers as part of a home theater package, all Paradigm v.5 2007 models: Monitor 7, CC-190, ADP-390s, PDR-10. Components are Rotel RSX-1057, Cambridge Audio DVD89 and Samsung 50" Plasma. The room is a converted basement space that is quite large and carpeted. This was my first foray into HT, as my main system is a highly optimized 2-channel analog vinyl rig. My criteria was value and a non-glaring/harsh/biting sound. Soundtracks and explosions on DVD's can be quite grating after awhile, so a natural, non-fatiguing sound was paramount in my purchase. I listened to a setup of Pioneer Elite and PSB speakers and I thought my head was going explode after a few minutes. The sound was so sharp and hollow that it was a distraction from the movie. I then tried Denon with Definitive Technologies and Klipsch speakers at Magnolia. The Klipsch were actually a bit more pleasing in the naturalness category when I asked to here them with a low end Pioneer amp (non-digital) - but I have no idea how anyone can listen to Denon receiver components. So I finally decided to "spend some more money" to get a better sound and went to Spearit. The Paradigm Monitor line seemed in my budget, surprisingly, and was like night and day compared to what I had heard earlier. The Monitor 7 itself does lack a bit in bass - but in an HT setup that point is moot. The cohesiveness of sound, natural presentation and forward but round attack is a great strength of this line (and a surprise to me - they won't replace your main rig speakers but they are great for HT). Explosions are "explosive" but not like a knife through your head, soundtracks are larger than life and free-flowing without constraint, and there is a seamless thread through the entire sound spectrum. I listened to the Monitor 7's on their own in 2-channel, and the sound is very pleasant and neutral - although not the last word in midrange or bass as mentioned above. But as part of the HT experience they are incredible performers. I preferred then to the Titan v.5 due to their extremely small footprint and better midrange. They match slightly better with the CC290, but I had a height limit which only allowed me to get the 190. There is a slight, very slight, loss of roundness when using the 190 with the 7, but not enough to make buying the 290 an absolute must. And I would highly recommend the ADP390 over the ADP190. It pairs so much better with the 7's for many reasons. In the end I spent the same amount of money and got a system that was perfect for my needs. One last observation: I had always heard that Rotel was a "bright" amp maker. Not true - at least when paired with Paradigm Monitor Series v5.s. The Rotel seems very neutral, not being overly bright or overly warm either.

Similar Products Used:

PSB, Klipsch, DT

Non-fatiguing and natural sound, excellent when paired as part of a HT setup with other v.5 speakers, forward and free flowing presentation without constraint.

Slight loss of bass and midrange, but the price/performance ratio make this a non-issue. These are HT speakers.

I bought these speakers as part of a home theater package, all Paradigm v.5 2007 models: Monitor 7, CC-190, ADP-390s, PDR-10. Components are Rotel RSX-1057, Cambridge Audio DVD89 and Samsung 50" Plasma. The room is a converted basement space that is quite large and carpeted. This was my first foray into HT, as my main system is a highly optimized 2-channel analog vinyl rig. My criteria was value and a non-glaring/harsh/biting sound. Soundtracks and explosions on DVD's can be quite grating after awhile, so a natural, non-fatiguing sound was paramount in my purchase. I listened to a setup of Pioneer Elite and PSB speakers and I thought my head was going explode after a few minutes. The sound was so sharp and hollow that it was a distraction from the movie. I then tried Denon with Definitive Technologies and Klipsch speakers at Magnolia. The Klipsch were actually a bit more pleasing in the naturalness category when I asked to here them with a low end Pioneer amp (non-digital) - but I have no idea how anyone can listen to Denon receiver components. So I finally decided to "spend some more money" to get a better sound and went to Spearit. The Paradigm Monitor line seemed in my budget, surprisingly, and was like night and day compared to what I had heard earlier. The Monitor 7 itself does lack a bit in bass - but in an HT setup that point is moot. The cohesiveness of sound, natural presentation and forward but round attack is a great strength of this line (and a surprise to me - they won't replace your main rig speakers but they are great for HT). Explosions are "explosive" but not like a knife through your head, soundtracks are larger than life and free-flowing without constraint, and there is a seamless thread through the entire sound spectrum. I listened to the Monitor 7's on their own in 2-channel, and the sound is very pleasant and neutral - although not the last word in midrange or bass as mentioned above. But as part of the HT experience they are incredible performers. I preferred then to the Titan v.5 due to their extremely small footprint and better midrange. They match slightly better with the CC290, but I had a height limit which only allowed me to get the 190. There is a slight, very slight, loss of roundness when using the 190 with the 7, but not enough to make buying the 290 an absolute must. And I would highly recommend the ADP390 over the ADP190. It pairs so much better with the 7's for many reasons. In the end I spent the same amount of money and got a system that was perfect for my needs. One last observation: I had always heard that Rotel was a "bright" amp maker. Not true - at least when paired with Paradigm Monitor Series v5.s. The Rotel seems very neutral, not being overly bright or overly warm either.

Similar Products Used:

PSB, Klipsch, DT

Clean natural sound, perfect size for a large or small room, and very loud. Great bang for the money. The 5 year warranty is also a strength.

None so far. These speakers do what Paradigm says they will do.

I was in need of updating my Polk RT 400 speakers. About 7 years ago I bought a Paradigm PS 1200 subwoofer, so I decided to look at their line. I have to say these speakers are amazing for the size of them. My dealer had a 20% off sale that helped out alot. They had a pair of v4 on sale for $500.00, but for a few dollars more I went with the newer ones. The v5's sounded fuller to my ears. I wanted something that was clean, and natural sounding, and these fit the bill. I am going to take the plunge and pick up a CC 390 center chanel. My dealer has a one year speaker upgrade program so If I decide to go the the 9 or 11 series, I will have the center channel covered.

Similar Products Used:

Polk RT 400 speakers, Polk Cs 400 center channel, and polk rt 3 surrounds

Not boomy or bloated
Very flat true response
Vocals pop like crazy
Nice dynamics and excellent clarity
1 tweeter 1 mid 2 woofers
bi-wirable
Very easy to listen to

Honestly at this price point up to about double their value none.

I currently purchased the new paradigm Monitor 7 v5's the CC-290 v5 the ADP-190's and a new v2 pw2100. These speakers replaced monitor 7 v3's, cc-370 v3, adp-370's and a pw2200 v1. This review will focus on the Monitor 7's. I am aware that the sugested replacement for a monitor 7 in the V5 line is the monitor line is the monitor 9, but make no mistake this monitor 7 v5 is still much more speaker than the 7 v3. Still bi-wirable and with a seperate mid driver exellent cross over pionts and much more power handaling clarity and volume. This by the way is a 2007 model not 2006. This speaker has flater bass response but that is due to a dual rear port design and the reponse is quite good after 50 hours of break in and a little volume, these speakers just handle so much more power. The imaging and clarity has been taken to a new level and is very impressive esspecially with a good amp. If you need a very strong speaker with clarity and power for music and movies this is it. these speakers integrate with a sub extreemly well and are very easy to listen to for hours at a time not harsh or shallow in any way. I am really enjoying these and they just keep getting better go check them out.

Similar Products Used:

Amps

Denon, Sony Es, Yamaha, Cambridge Audio, Pioneer Elite

Speakers

Paradigm, B&W, Cambridge Audio, KEF, Athena, Sony, Difinitive Technology

Other

Oppo, optoma, infocus

I listened to this speaker for an additional pair in a 2 channel setup. I already own a pair of monitor 7 v2. I thought the sound was a little thinner than what I was used to with the v2 model. Not as much mid range/base. After my listening session, I saw that the Monitor 7 V5 is a replacement for the Monitor 5. For a fair comparisin to previous models you'd have to listen to the Monitor 9v5 (which is replacing the Monitor 7/9). I don't know what the other v5 models sound like. This is just a heads up to be sure that you compare apples to apples if you're reverencing previous Monitor versions.

Well defined highs and bass as well as good imaging in the midrange.

Must biwire for better dispersion. Revealing for inferior or old recordings but that's a function of how clean these speakers are.

Nothing subtle about these speakers as the sound comes right at you. These are definitely not the reserved type of British speaker; these move alot of air. My receiver is a denon surround sound type but this pair is the only one I'm using for now and the sound is great for both audio and home theater/tv. The highs are clear, the bass tight and well defined and the midrange imaging is totally dependent on the mix of a recording but crisp as well. The great sound also owes to the fact of 2 ports, one of which is directly behind the high driver, improving the imaging of these speakers. A must is to biwire in order to get wide dispersion from them. . All together, every day I look forward to listening to them.

Customer Service

Very good as the first pair I received were totally destroyed by delivery but were replaced right away by Paradigm.

Similar Products Used:

The usual British, Canadian and US speakers in the price range (B&W, Monitor Audio, AE, KEF, PSB, Def Tec, Klipsch, BA etc...)

Slim cabinet, new driver materiels, efficient.

Audio performance should be carefully evaluated by potential buyers for midrange detail, bass extension and high frequency performance. Cabinets not the last word in being inert.

I wanted to audition this new V5 Monitor 7 to replace my Monitor 5's V4. I was enthusiastic about the slim cabinet and new driver materials. The sonic performance was for me FAIR only and no better than that. The small 5.5 woofers don't move much air and the cabinet volume is relatively small, so bass performance was marginal. I did not find the midrange to be very revealing and overall lacked detail. The high end frequencies did not have adequate space, air or shimmer to be of any liking by me. So while the price is right, the size is right, an audition is definitely in order before plunking down for this new model.

Similar Products Used:

Wharfedale, Monitor Audio

imaging, staging, highs

bass is not huge, but you get other things instead

This completely rediesign Monitor 7 is a pleasant surprise for all audio enthusiasts. I had a chance to directly compare it with the previous ver.4 and improvements are obvious: better imaging, staging and more precise highs. Vocals are so pinpointed in the middle that you have a feeling they are coming from the centre channel. I was also pleasantly surprised with the efficiency of these speakers, you don't need huge apmplifier at all. You can probably get a better sounding speaker on the market, but not without investing double or triple the amount of money you pay for v.5.

Similar Products Used:

Monitor 7 v.4