B&W JM Labs or Paradigm Signature S8.....Help?

I auditioned the Paradigm Signature S8's and they were good, but not substantially better than my Paradigm Studio 60's, so I could never justify the price. Very similar speakers. I like B&W speakers, unlike some of the others who've responded, but I also agree with the others that the Von Schweikert's are hard to beat by anybody at the $4k price point. They are just wonderful. I will be replacing my Studio 60's in about 18 months, and I will likely opt for the Von Schweikert's unless I decide to go into heavy debt for Wilson Sophia's ($12k).

In your price range, you might also consider an Audition of the Aerial Acoustics Model 8B ($6k), Dali Helicon 800 ($6k), Sonus Faber Grand Piano ($3.5k) or Cremona's ($8k), or, as said before, the Dynaudio's.

My reference system (the Studio 60's are in my HT system) has the Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home speakers. I would NEVER replace these with the Paradigm S8's. Now, compare the prices! I think you could love these over the long haul, too. I've never gotten anything but joy from them for 4 years now. Mine are in a similar sized room (slightly larger), also with wood floors.

Cheers.

With few exceptions B&W are dry, sterile, and boring speakers lacking musicality in the midrange. Stay away.
The Von Schweikert recommendation is excellent. Tons of performance for the money and they will embarrass the 803D.

Thanks for all the responses! Where I live the only dealers around are B & W and Paradigm. That is why I posted this thread. If I am going to travil to Atlanta, I wanted to know what to look for and listen to. I will campair the B & W and Paradigm locally but there seems to be a consensis that they will not be what I want.

I will difently listen to the Von Schweikert (I emailed them to find the closest dealer), Dynaudio's and JM Labs before I make a decision.

Has anyone compaired the last three I mentioned head to head? Has anyone had any problems with the last three?

Thanks again for your responses,

Dffhogs

Ok, I listened to the B & W and Paradigm and am not impressed. The Von Schweikert VR4-JR and VR4-SR have my intrest. Can any one compair the JM Labs electra 936, 946 to the Von S. Also, how do the Tyler Linbrook Signature system compair to the other two?

Price wise it goes:

Von Schweikert Vr4-Jr - $4000
Tyler Linbrook Signature system - $5,500
JM Lab electra 936 - $6,000
Von Schweikert VR4 - SR - $8,000
JM Lab electra 946 - $8,000

I planned on a $8,000 Max budget when I started. If I can get out for less I would be happy! I would also like this to be the last pair of speakers I buy for a long time. I dont want to be let down and have to upgrade later.

I plan on listening to the Von Schweikert's next week when I will be close to a dealer. My problem is no dealers for any of the speakers mentioned are close by. Any and all advise is wellcome.

Thanks, Dffhogs

I own a pair of JM Lab 946 Electras and they are a great speaker. IMO almost Utopia sound at fraction of the price. I have heard the Paradigms and the B&W 803 and IMO and again just MY opinion the 946 Electras are much better hands down. Another thing to consider is how much power you have to drive them. The Electras are very efficient 93 db sensitivity and myself coming from owning a pair of Infinitys, there is really something to be said for efficient speakers. The Focal drivers are fast and accurate rivaling that of electrostat or planar drivers IMO. The 946 is a fairly large floorstanding speaker and also IMO a smaller speaker DOES NOT give you the same type of large, live type sound as a larger one. Especially one with a high sensitivity like the Electra. As good as the JM Labs are though, the only drawback is their price. I think they are priced a little higher than they should be but you can often get an almost new demo pair as I did for almost half the full retail price and then they are a huge bargain. As others have said though it is always best to listen with your own ears to judge for yourself but often this is not always possible without traveling great distances. All in all though I have not heard every other speaker in their price range BUT I don't think you would be sorry if you got a set of 946s. I have never heard the Von Schweikert speakers as there are no dealers anywhere near my area so I cannot comment on them but for my listening preference the only thing that I have heard that betters my 946 Electras are the higher end models in the Jm Lab Utopia line or possibly something from Wilson Audio, all much more expensive.