Looks like it's been a while since a review has been posted, so.... I just scored a pair of the V2 80s about a month ago (couldn't resist for the price) & still think the V2 studio series are some of the best ever produced by Paradigm. These replace my studio 40 V2s (I run two channel stereo, the only way to go), which aren't exactly slouches but, the 80s have way more of the deep, tight bass I was looking for that the 40s just couldn't deliver. Playing King Crimson's "Three of a Perfect Pair" really showed me what they could do, great bass response & detail. I'm powering them with Rotel separates, RC-1070 preamp, RCD-1072 CD player & RB-1080 amp with Silver Sonic T-14 speaker cable in bi-wire configuration. From what I've read, Rotel & Paradigm studios are a good match, I tend to agree. The Paradigm studios are high quality speakers, don't skimp out by using a cheap receiver, they need higher end gear with clean power to sound their best. The Studio 80s have stood the test of time & I think I'll be hanging on to them for a while.....until I get the itch to try something else again.

They do everything well. They are so well rounded and can also play some stuff to a degree that can still make my jaw drop. I am one happy listener!

I am not saying here that they are the best speakers available at any price. Certainly my ears can tell that some things can get muddled up in the mids (what do you expect for an 8" mid?). The highs can get a bit harsh but can be tamed with the right gear.

Since these aren't made anymore I guess this review is for posterity and the used market... Having bounced around a bit over the past 10 or so years with respect to audio equipment I have so far owned these babies (80 v2) for about 3 years now and I can honestly give what I would consider a knowledgable review. First of all, the fact that I have actually stuck with these over the last 3 years is testimonial of how much my wife and I like them. We play music on a daily basis - everything from Mozart to Megadeth. There are times when I am left a little wanting of the last in detail - the mids can muddy up a bit and the highs can be a bit harsh from time-to-time. But let me say this, I have never been put off enough to upgrade. I have looked and listened over the last year to Totem's, B&Ws, newer Paradigm floorstanders, ML, Proac, "many others" and while some might appear to sound a bit better in the store, when I go home and give another listen to mine I always am left shaking my head at just how close these are (and even sometimes much better) to what I heard at the store. The bottom line is that I have been happy with these for longer then any other speaker I have ever owned (and I have owned a few in the last 20 years). Even today they can amaze me and make my jaw drop. At the time, I could have also bought the Studio 100 v2s which are pretty raved about. But there was something I liked better in the mids with the 80s. And I am so glad that I went with my gut on that. What better testimonial can I give :)

One of the questions we are asked to answer - who should/shouldn't use these speakers? I like my music live and dynamic. Thus I like to play some stuff loudish and some good solid state muscle is required. The highs can be harsh but these can be mostly tamed with some tube intermediary equipment - in my case a tubed pre (man, that made a quantum leap from my Marantz receiver). If you are into Rock (anything since 1970), Dance, Hip-Hop/Rap, Jazz, Heavy Metal - these things will get you smiling. In my opinion live stuff, audiophile recordings (ie. the stuff everyone says they like but just use it to show how good their system can sound) and classical is probably not as good as could be had on say Totem or Proac. If you listen very softly, I wouldn't get these either. But if you are like me and like a b it of everything (except opera - I can't stand it so don't listen) then give these suckers a try. I swear you won't be disappointed as long as you take the weaknesses below to head and heart.

Sound - bass extension, upper base, clear midrange, and silky-smooth highs. Built, solid cabinet with beatiful finish, very elegant. Dual sets of "gold plated" binding post for biwiring/biamping.

NONE

What can I say that other reviewers haven't said! Transparency, great soundstage with good bass extension, smooth, silky highs thanks to the "soft aluminum dome" tweeters, and well-balanced midrange. A "break-in" period of 50 hours + is recommeded. Mine sounded great out of the box and progressively got better as "break-in" continued. However, all of the above holds true as long as they are used with good amplification (don't let the "fairly" efficiency rating fool you).

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Monitor Series (on my 2nd system), auditioned Energy Veritas, Klipsch Reference, B&W, Monitor Audio, Totem Acoustics, and JM Labs(Electra & Cobalt series)

Sound - bass extension, upper base, clear midrange, and silky-smooth highs. Built, solid cabinet with beatiful finish, very elegant. Dual sets of "gold plated" binding post for biwiring/biamping.

NONE

What can I say that other reviewers haven't said! Transparency, great soundstage with good bass extension, smooth, silky highs thanks to the "soft aluminum dome" tweeters, and well-balanced midrange. A "break-in" period of 50 hours + is recommeded. Mine sounded great out of the box and progressively got better as "break-in" continued. However, all of the above holds true as long as they are used with good amplification (don't let the "fairly" efficiency rating fool you).

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Monitor Series (on my 2nd system), auditioned Energy Veritas, Klipsch Reference, B&W, Monitor Audio, Totem Acoustics, and JM Labs(Electra & Cobalt series)

Excellent for Home Theatre, and easy listening music. Nice finish, and easy clean grills. Overall, nice appearance!

I had to buy a sub woofer as the Studio 80's didn't handle the bass from my rock and roll collection too well. The gold adjustable feet are hard to level (but at least they can be levelled!)

I purchased the Studio 80's along with a Harman Kardon AVR 45 H.T. Receiver. The speakers have been great aside from blowing one of the tweeters. I am now using a Marantz SR 8200 H.T. Receiver and have noticed a huge difference in the sound. They have handled pretty much what I have thrown at them. The tweeter was replaced at my cost..I have since changed all my speakers to Paradigm from B&W!

Similar Products Used:

B&W

Appearance, transparent, excellent soundstage, tight bass, focused images, value

Binding posts are difficult to use with spades. Legs are difficult to work with.

This is my second review after two years of enjoying the 80's. I'm writing because when I went to separates the sound changed so dramatically. While I was pleased with the speakers being driven by a Denon 5700 they were a bit bright with trumpets and could sound strident on load passages. Midrange a bit dark at times. With Bryston separates the high end sounds very detailed and the mids very present. If you own these speakers consider what you are driving them with. If you audition these speakers use high quality separates. I have listened to many demos of high cost speakers and to my ears the 80's stand up to many costing much more.

Similar Products Used:

Have listened to Thiel, B&W, Verity, Polk and Energy.

OK, it's official. Ran8987, who gave these speakers 1 star, is a classic example of a useless reviewer on this site. He gave the Studio 100s a 5 star rating and the Studio 80s 1 star? Get real, buddy. There is a very marginal difference in sound between these two models. Both are very good speakers. I could understand if you gave the 100s 5 stars and the 80s 4, but you're obviously not listening to the speakers much, if at all. Further evidence of this is the whole slew of speakers you reviewed on the same date, with many pretty good models receiving 1 star reviews as well. Why bother to clutter up this site with such drivel???

Very netral and dynamic. Extremly transparent. Produce what you feed it.

Only one complain - binding post should be upper for high and mid frequencies and lower for just bass, but the Studio 80 V2's binding posts are upper - just for tweeters and lower binding posts - mid & low frequencies.

Living in Hong Kong, where everybody got brain washed over either ProAc, Dynaudio, B&W and some so called high end products, going after that thick rich midband & thick sounds. Even buying a pair of Paradigm had it’s problem. I had snobbish salesmen(Paradigm official dealer-Excel whom actually dare to tell me – “There’s nothing good around your price range, you need to go much higher if you are serious”. This guy actually spoke against the very product his company exclusively represents locally! Unbelivable! Obviously, I did not listen to him, I brought my Studio 80 V2 and had a great time with it the last two years. Then I decided to try something different even when I made enough money to upgrade. I learn many things over the years about these speakers. Since they have very neutral and flat response, subsequently, they will dish out exactly what you feed them. I upgraded my current setup with Harmonic pro-9 speaker cables (mid & lower frequencies) & Stealth FR silver (for high frequencies). Chords Anthem interconnectors(top of the line). and Ultech HDCD player. Funny things about this is many people with these type of equipments would probably upgrade their speakers, but I stuck to my Studio 80 V2, just to see what happen when I feed it quality components & cables. Sure enough, vocal and midrange became so rich and thick, they are as good as the Dynaudios and ProAc if not better. High become ultra clear and transparent, I can even background thoat clearing noises on some recordings. Studio 80 V2 even seems to have better sense of balance(instead of just overblown mids). Well, this totally demystify the idea that these speakers only have good bass. The conclusion is – the reason sometime why so called high end speakers sounded so rich is people feed it quality systems and electronics. I mean – have you ever hear anyone who hook a pair of Mark Levinson 332 to a pair of Polk before? You are what you eat!

Similar Products Used:

Celestion, B&W matrix, Infinity, Tannoy and many other.

Detail, imaging, build quality and price.

none

Great speakers! More detail than my previous speakers, (Polk RT55), really good imaging. I''m very pleased. Got a 20% discount without dicking around at Sound City on W.45th St.Went to other high end shops in the city, as I was also considerind B&W 604s. No one would give me a straight answer on price. The Studio 80s are built like bomb shelters and that was the deciding factor, along with the sound of course.

Similar Products Used:

Polk Audio, Infinity

Excellent sound, efficient speakers.

I purchased these gems from Live Wire Audio in Canada after auditioning PSB Silvers, B&W CDM(7,1)se.
I listen to a broad range of music, from Bob Marley to Pat Metheny, from Lauren Hill to Miles Davis.
They don't require a lot of power to drive them, but I plan to upgrade the rest of my system. I know I'll be impressed even more then than now.
I'm very pleased with the quality and looks(Rosewood) of these speakers.
5 star value when purchased in Canada. (Good price, refund of tax, no duty(Nafta)).

Similar Products Used:

PSB Silver