Paradigm Reference Monitor 90P Floorstanding Speakers
Paradigm Reference Monitor 90P Floorstanding Speakers
USER REVIEWS
[Jun 01, 2018]
Paradigm
Strength:
I absolutely love Paradigm speakers and they are amazing right out of the box, but I also have a lot of fun modifying them by mixing and matching other Paradigm drivers to make custom Paradigm speakers. The ones I have found no need to upgrade so far are the 90p, they are just so good. For over a year I have been enjoying a pair of 90p v2, and just yesterday I added a pair of v3. Now 90p pairs serve as key components in both of my systems. It seems that active speakers get a bit disrespected by audiophiles, but my experience is that a good active speaker is tough for an equivalent budget passive speaker to compete with. These can keep both camps happy as most audiophiles already accept active subwoofers. Speaking of subwoofers, if I had a dollar for every time I have read the following about tower, and even some bookshelf speakers "you don't need a subwoofer with these speakers", usually they are wrong, unless you are ok with missing part of the audible bass range, along with all subsonic. Well I have to be honest, I can't say that with these speakers you don't need a sub, because the truth is you already have 2! If you want serious subsonic you still may want to add a 15" or larger sub, but these have the audible bass range more than covered. It seems like a good spot to tell you what these are, first off all versions are 3 way speakers with a passive tweeter and mid to go with powered 8" subwoofers. The v1 version had only 2 subwoofers per speaker and make do with only 140 watts rms. The v2 to v4 are all mechanically similar with 3 subwoofers per cabinet powered by a 175 watt rms amp. The drivers on v1 and v2 are pretty much identical as are v3 and v4 with the updated Monitor v3 updates obviously being included on the Monitor series flagship speakers. So with v3 and v4 being nearly identical, I am going to break these down into 3 groups, v1, v2, then will treat v3/v4 as twins and will just call them v3 from here on out. I have not owned or even heard the v1, but from specs it appears that 2 subwoofers sharing the same cabinet space with a bit more power allows for lower bass extension than the other generations. V2 and v3 are very close on sound, but to my ears the updated v3 drivers are just a bit more crisp in addition to looking much better, especially if you run these without grill covers. Now that the introduction and history lesson are out of the way, here is my take. These are amazing speakers that can fill a ton of purposes due to their insane Weakness:
Well no speaker is perfect right? However, I am struggling with this section. Well back to my history lesson then. My research of these speakers turned up a nugget of interesting information, which I can't verify, but it leads to the number one weakness that I found with these. The story I read alleged that the chief designer of the 90p wanted it to be a Reference level (Studio) speaker, but the company decided to instead make it the flagship of the Monitor series. If true that may explain how this punches above its weight class a bit. It does lead to my biggest weakness with the 90p, and that is that there isn't a Studio version. I have never heard a Saradigm Reference Active 40, but have read amazing reviews, and it makes me long for an active Paradigm Studio 100 v2 with light cherry real wood sides please, but alas that doesn't exist, maybe it is time to mod one or the other to create my own............ Price Paid: $99 v2 / $750 v3
Purchased: Used
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[Sep 25, 2011]
Jim Hatch
Audio Enthusiast
My speakers have three 8"woofs Bottom ones are driven by 175 watt amp.they are V3 models.Plenty O Bass I think there rated down to 22 hertz the top end is clean.not bright great imaging and soundstage If you can find a pair used.You can,t beat the value.Paradigm house sound.they will rock.VERY happy with them. |
[Aug 09, 2002]
billthom56
AudioPhile
Strength:
Great value, outstanding sound quality, deep soundstage, easy to set up and adjust the bass management/subwoofer settings. Nice finish!
Weakness:
Very heavy, spkied feet can damage hardwood flowers and threaten marriages. I love the Paradigm 90P speakers! What a great loudspeaker choice for mains in an apartment or condo, one that can be used for both serious music listening and for home theater. The Paradigm 90P loudspeakers allowed us to get some serious bass output without the need for a separate subwoofer which takes up valuable real estate in a New York City apartment. (Trust me, the apartments are small.) The Paradigm 90Ps are accurate, with a good deep soundstage, and are very musical. For the moment, we are powering them with a NAD 7240 PE erceiver with 40 watts per channel (plus headroom) until we upgrade the receiver. Given its limitations, the sound quality is quite good. We found the bass management controls on the powered subwoofer to ber pretty intuitive and easy to use, even without studying the well written manual. The spiked feet on the 90Ps are very much needed, and although your significant other may not like what they do to the hardwood floors, such is audio. We can't wait to add a Paradigm center channle and rears to the system. For the record, I also have Paradigm 5SE loudspeakers in my office, Paradigm Atoms in the kitchen, and Paradigm Studio Monitors with a P1000 subwoofer in another high-end system elsewhere. The entire Paradigm line provides tremendous bang for the buck. Similar Products Used: Avid monitors, Boston Acoustics minis, Polk 5 Mini monitors, Paradigm 5SE monitors , Paradigm Atoms, Paradigm Export Studio Monitors, Paradigm 1000 subwoofer. |
[May 10, 2002]
Charles
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Everything
Weakness:
None in this price range Much of the detailed information on these speakers has been written in the previous reviews, so I will not go into the same details. However, my comments are on the Version 2, which has three 8 inch drivers for bass reproduction, not two. I am very, very happy with this purchase. These speakers for the cost are quite remarkable. Cost was $1398 and after careful consideration of other brands, I decided to stick with the Paradigm line. The 90P’s version 2 replaced a pair of Paradigm Studio 20’s and a PDR-10 sub in my home theater setup. I was not totally happy with the musical/theater presence of the output that they produced. Could be the acoustics of my room or my ears, but the presentation/image just seemed to lack something that I could not put my finger on. My system consists of all Paradigm products. A CC-350 for center, two Micro’s for rears and the 90P’s for fronts. The system is powered by a Sony STR-DA777ES, which produces 120 Watts per channel. Yes, Sony, but this receiver has excellent reviews and is quite the workhorse that produces excellent quality for the money. The item that impressed me the most about this speaker was how much fuller and richer the sound is, compared to the Studio 20’s and the sub setup. Initially I did not think there would be a vast difference, but it is like night and day. To be honest, the speakers do not produce quite the detail in the high and mids as the Studio 20’s, but the difference is made up by musical presence alone. However, in this room, my focus is more inclined towards home theater rather then music. Yet, even with music, they are quite wonderful and almost exceptional for cost versus performance. The nicest item of all is that you don’t need to purchase a sub for these speakers and they do put out a huge amount of bass with the self amplified three 8 inch woofers. In fact, for my ears and the room size, (16 X 20) they are outstanding. I am not a high power, crank it up type of person, but like moderate to above average levels of sound reproduction. Yet, even beyond normal listening levels, they are warriors. After breaking them in for a few weeks, they have loosened up and are quite remarkable. These are not Dynaudio Contour’s, but then pricing is not equivalent. However, for the amount of money you spend, they are a steal in this price range. There are better sounding products in th Similar Products Used: Paradigm, Dynaudio, Klipsch, |
[Dec 19, 2000]
Dan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent imaging and clarity, very accurate
Weakness:
Bass can be boomy if they are not positioned properly, subs cannot handle VERY high volume. Current System: Similar Products Used: Auditioned PSB, NHT, Boston Accoustics, Kef, etc. |
[Feb 26, 2000]
Dave
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent home theater speaker, good low-mid volume musical contender
Weakness:
can be boomy depending on placement, volume limited by its integrated sub I purchased these speakers as the first step in upgrading my college home theater setup. I wanted a complete system that did not require a sub, but was loud and strong enough to satisfy my need for musical power. |
[Aug 08, 1999]
John Connelly
an Audio Enthusiast
I was in the market for the best home theater system I could find for around $5,0000. After listening to a dozen or so systems, I ended up buying a yamaha DSP-A1 integrated amp to be the center piece of my system. For my speakers I bought a pair of paradigm monitor 90P's for the mains, a c-c 350 for the center and mini-monitors for the rears. To put it mildly, I was blown away by the sound quality of this system, on both music and home theater. The imageing and overall tonal quality of the 90P's is truly outstanding. Anyone looking for a pair of affordable, high end speakers should give these paradigms a listen to,you'll be glad you did. |
[Sep 03, 1999]
John Kemp
an Audiophile
For the money, I don't know how you would beat these. |
[Feb 24, 1999]
Tim M
an Audio Enthusiast
I listened to a lot of different speakers in my quest for a new home theater system once my basement is complete. I listened to several Bipolars (Definitive Technology, Mirage) and several with integrated subs (Klipsh, etc) since I did not want a separate sub in my room. I built an inwall entertainment system so the bipolars would not work since they would be effectively in a box and too boomy. I have had the 90P's since August and I am very pleased with the performance. I have only been listening to music via an old 60W 2 channel Technics receiver that I bought while in college. I have just ordered a B&K AVR-202 and cannot wait to hear the sound. One caveat is that they are very tall and had to modify the area where they are housed since they are also a bit deep due to the integrated subs. Lots of BASS! I plan on getting the Paradigm CC-350 (center channel) and biPolar surrounds. The local dealer in Atlanta told me that they all contain the same drivers so this is the best match. I have heard the entire package through an Acurus and they sound great loud or soft. Very clean sound. |
[Feb 24, 1999]
Steve
an Audio Enthusiast
I have had these now for about 3 months and am very happy with their performance. I originally had them adjacent to a TV stand with very little |