For several years now I've been convinced that my speakers were the weakest link in both my stereo component set-ups. On one I've been using some Bose 301s (which I bought in 1980) that were effective for bass-heavy rocking out in their day, but honestly are not so great otherwise. On my other system, I've been using Paradigm Titans (version 3), which are excellent inexpensive bookshelf speakers (with tons of great reviews to back that up). Impressed with the Paradigms, I've been thinking that when I get serious about upgrading, I'd look into some of their higher-end models.

Well, Craigslist forced my hand. Late last week somebody posted a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v3 speakers for sale. Four years old, near-mint condition. One of the models I had my eye on -- lots of great reviews. I auditioned them Saturday morning, prayed that what I was hearing had a lot to do with the speakers and not as much with the electronics that were feeding them, wrote a check, brought them home, hooked them up.

Wow. I was dead right about my speakers being the weakest link. These things are truly amazing. It's like getting a whole new CD collection (haven't tried vinyl yet). I'm hearing detail that I've never heard before, and there's a smoothness that makes everything sound better, as well as an openness and depth (soundstage) that is stunning.

If you're still reading, thanks for indulging me. Here's the takeaway: the next time you find yourself thinking about some new speakers, I recommend you check out some Paradigms. You'll find lots of great reviews online, but you have to listen to them. I didn't listen to any other high-end speakers for comparison, and I'm sure there are other deserving models out there, but I can tell you I couldn't be happier with my Studio 20s.

Back to rediscovering my entire CD collection...

I've got a pair of big speakers in the back of my van here. I was supposed to deliver them to Hooters, but they didn't want them, so I'll let ya have them for $50.

Paradigm is a big step up from Bose. No wonder your delighted.

Bose may very well be the most over rated stereo product on the planet!

Coby would be a step up from Bose.

The Paradigm Titans were a big step up from Bose. The Studio 20's are in another league altogether.

But in 1980 I was 23 years old, just out of college, and getting a big, bass-heavy sound out of a pair of relatively small bookshelf speakers was pretty cool. My ears are a lot smarter now.

I've always wanted Paradigm speakers or B&W's. Maybe someday I will but for now I like my Onix Rocket speakers which are essentially a B&W chinese knock off. The parts and guts are American but the woodwork and assembly was done in China.

I had a pair of B&W 804's briefly in 2000. My cat needed $11k in surgery (not an exaggeration) so the B&W's went. Loved 'em. O also have a pair of the giant killer $200 B&W bookshelves from the late 90's (I'd have to go upstairs to get the model #). Haven't used 'em in years, but they deserved their repitation as being amazing for the price.

Funny story about my Onix Rocket speakers. When they were being made and sold via the internet, they were considered a great high value bargain in speakers. Top notch sound for a great price (about $3000 for a 5 speaker surround system minus a sub). The same B&W's would be about twice that.

But the guy in charge got arrested for charity fraud over a year ago and the company went belly up (he would solicit $$ from people in a raffle that was supposed to go to a cancer charity). He was well respected so people of course would give.

OK, i'm going against popular opinion here. i know that bose gets maligned constantly from audiophiles, and non-audiophiles, as being terribly overpriced and overrated, but i gotta tell you, i bought the bose cinemate for my TV ( got it very cheap - $400) and i couldn't be happier. they sound wonderful.

now, i have not played music through them, except for my wife's journey (the real band not the imposters ) DVD, but even that didn't sound terrible as i was expecting after listening to the reviews on bose for all these years

i listen to my music through klipsch, and i was expecting this horrible sound from the cinemate, but i was pleasantly surprised.

i remember back in the day when bose 901 were supposed to be THE speaker to buy, never knew anyone who bought them, so i never really got to hear them for an extended period of time. i just can't believe they were that bad.

Back in the '70's the mainstream stereo press raved about the 901's. Based on what I read, for years I assumed they were God's gift to music. My college had a pair. One day I finally listened to them. No memory of what was playing (this was 1979). But I do remember I hated the way they sounded, & thought something like, "why in the heck have these been getting all those great write ups?"

A few weeks ago I upgraded from 10-year-old B&W 804s to Salk HT2-TLs. Salks aren't very well-known, but they seem to be highly regarded among the audiophile crowd. So, as is usually the case given where I live, I ordered them online having never seen nor heard them. Absolutely no regrets: these things are a substantial step up from my B&Ws in every way. And they're all custom made with whatever wood veneer you want, so they look like fine furniture. Just gorgeous to the eyes and ears.

It'll take me quite a few years to rediscover my whole collection, but I've certainly rediscovered a few gems so far. I was listening to the Rumours remaster the other day and couldn't stop smiling.

They must be amazing to be a substantial upgrade from 804's!

if you don't mind my asking, how much were they?

For the two mains and a center channel, with shipping, it came to about $7K. Customers pay half at the time of the order, then the other half when the speakers are ready for shipment (usually 30-45 days), so that helps ease the pain a bit.

Wow, you must have a wonderful system (I don't say that because of the $'s, but because they're that much better than the superb B&W's!).

According to their website, they (Salk HT2's) start at $4199.

btw.....one thing Bose does well is their Soundwave Radio. Its also a bit overpriced ($499 these days) but the one I own has worked great for years now. I use it as the bedroom stereo/ alarm clock. Mine doesn't have a CD player.

Their Lifestyle 2.1 system is a shocking $2299.00!!! 5.1? $2499.

The Cine Mate 2.1 system is $799!! That includes a small subwoofer and 2 small speakers/ 1 center channel speaker. Now if you need just a modest system for a TV, it will fit the bill but the system has no power for realistic sound. So you wouldn't get theatrical quality sound with this system.

Correct. The center channel is another $1695. Then there's an additional cost if you want a special veneer -- I went with a dyed waterfall bubinga. Finally there's the shipping cost, and these suckers are heavy, so freight to Alaska was a bit pricey. The company is in Michigan, so depending on how far away you are, you can always choose to pick them up.

Wtf is "bubinga"? The word isn't even in the dictionary.

Who needs a dictionary when there's the all-knowing Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubinga

Wow that wood is used in Lexus's.

At four grand a pair, that's pretty much like driving a Lexus with your ears...