Paragon Regent Floorstanding Speakers
Paragon Regent Floorstanding Speakers
USER REVIEWS
[Feb 07, 2016]
kim108
AudioPhile
I found these on eBay at a steal almost didn't bid, glad I did. First these are way over their new (1990's) price point (about $3500 new), at 47" tall weighing in at 150lbs, contrary to one review they are not top heavy, they are just heavy. Dynaudio drivers, Cardas bi-wireable binding posts, tiptoe like footers, non-resonant cabinets, super non-resonant speaker baffles. beautifully constructed. Even the grills are a mastery of materials (non resonant frames) design and manufacturing that are held in place via magnets. My cherry cabinets have ripples in the finish from age, sunlight finish formulation,etc. but knocking the shine off the finish and the ripples that are patterned evenly in such a way are now somewhat pleasing to the eye. THE SOUND! I am still playing with placement but: is very detailed focused, huge deep and wide sound stage. I have spent many pleasure-able hours just getting lost in the music. Sir Colin Davis an LSO "1812" the regents ruled! sorting the chorus voices free of choral "grain", the sound stage is breathtaking! my wife plays the harp and I play acoustic guitar so now the harp comes clearly through the symphony. On Acoustic guitar you can get the nuance of string type decay and overtones of the various guitars and strings.
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[Feb 07, 2006]
pangl
AudioPhile
Strength:
Very natural and open sounding. Very good bass. The finish is simply work of art.
Weakness:
Too top heavy to be kid safe. Lean and dry in my tube setup. Need a lot of space and quality juicy amps to get good results. Difficult positioning if you have a small room. Got this pair in Audiogon for $1400 in 2004 (that's already overpaid $100, BlueBook is $1300 or so). This is my 2nd pair of speakers in transmission line design. The sound could be described as very natural and open, rather lean and dry to my taste. I'd expect more from DynAudio drivers deployed, and I certainly somewhat disappointed. The power and sensitity ratings are misleading - you need very top notch juicy amps to drive this well. Also, a big room is required. My room is 24' x 30' and is still not big enough to live up to the expectation. Placement is not easy - I spent like 3 days (2 days more in spending placement of my Wilson Watt Puppy 5) - and I still don't like the soundstage. May be my room is not optimal for this. I'd say my buying decision was purely based on faith, after reading many glowing reviews here. And my decision is likely not a wise one. For $1400 however, you could get a lot of value out of it but you probably need to spend $$$$$ to prove that it's the right speakers for you. I ended up selling them for $900 to a local college professor. No name, too top heavy, impossible to ship due to odd shape, company out of business. Before you pay the big bucks for this, think! :-) P.S. This pair of speakers is among the most top-heavy kind I ever owned. It's dangerous if you have kids around them. I don't think the thought of an 150lb-er falling over your kid would make you feel good when you're at work. That's acually the driving reason to dump my pair so cheap. Similar Products Used: Revel F30; Wilson Watt Puppy 5; B&W 801 Series 2; Odeon Double Six; Newform Research R645; Alon IV; Magneplan 3.5R; Tyler Acoustics Reference One; etc (too many to recall over the years). |
[Mar 09, 2003]
GronK
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Wonderful sound stage Smooth transitions, both dynamic and tonal Tight, clean bass Extended highs with no tizziness Highly efficient, but with no boom Great looks
Weakness:
Very heavy! A bit of a handful to wrestle around by yourself. I first encountered the Paragon Regents at CES in the early 90's. I was employed by a leading high end amplifier manufacturer at the time. The Paragons created quite a stir amongst the "gurus" of the day, including my old boss. They told the boys from Minneapolis the only problem was going to be the low price. They wouldn't be taken seriously if they didn't at least double it. To make a long story short, the gurus were right, but not before many of us had acquired a set. I have been away from hi-end audio for 7 years now. All the toys I acquired back then have gone by the wayside except the Paragons. Even using decidedly mid-fi electronics they sound sweet and musical, and the "denapolito array" (simulated point source) keeps the sound stage broad, but focused. Similar Products Used: Dynaudio, Avalon, Thiel, Dunleavy, many others auditioned at CES and factory reference room. |
[Dec 20, 2001]
Newbie Avenger
Audiophile
Strength:
beware
Weakness:
beware Paragon does not exist. Sure does sound like another reputable company though... Paradigm. If you were in a hurry, you might confuse the two... Similar Products Used: beware |
[Mar 11, 2001]
Rob Bruss
Audiophile
Strength:
Open, Clear and dynamic
Weakness:
Zip These speakers are no longer made, but if you can find a pair buy them at any cost. These speakers are just that good. They do everything right, I have not found fault in these speakers after 6 years of use. Similar Products Used: Dynaudio, B&W, Hales |
[Jan 14, 1999]
Phil
an Audiophile
Hi, |
[Dec 18, 2001]
John
Audiophile
Yes, they are as good as all of these reviews. |
[Jan 21, 2002]
Bruce
Audiophile
Strength:
It's uncanny ability to draw you into the music for hours on end!
Weakness:
In either listening room of mine they don't seem to excite the 30-20 Hz range in the music (audible but not physical)...But not many speaker can even get down there and still be musical like the Regents. If you are reading these reviews for product info before a purchase, "Ignore the idiot below me with the Beware review." Yes Paragon unfortunately went out of business, but the drivers are Dynaudio and can still be obtained direct from Dynaudio with a simple phone call. Similar Products Used: On my 25th pair of speakers to pass through my systems because I love Music and the way different speakers present it.....Most liked so far incl. Thiel, Wilson Audio, J.M.Labs, Audio Physics, Mirage(M1si), Avalon, North Creek, Arcarian. |
[Jul 06, 1999]
Jim
an Audiophile
I have owned these speakers for two years. They are wonderful. Get them if you can. Preamp is ARC LS7. Amp is ARC VT60. Cardas 300B interconnect. |
[Mar 23, 2001]
Steven
Audiophile
Strength:
High level of coherence, taut well defined bass, articulate open mid, exceptional clear clean highs, Dyaudio drivers - need I say more!
Weakness:
None! Let me just say this....I can't believe that these only ran around $4,000 new. These are better than any other speaker I have heard at twice that price! And for those worried about buying a quality, expensive high-end speaker from a company no longer in business. Don't worry! Paragon was very smart when engineering these gems. Every speaker in their line uses the same quality Dynaudio drivers as those found in Dynaudio's Contour line (Dynaudio's best) So you will have NO problems with replacing any of these quality components And you will probably never have to, based on build quality! Similar Products Used: B&W Nautilus 802s & 804s, Dynaudio Contour 3.3s, and the list goes on..... |