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Paradigm Studio v2 VS. Vandersteen 2Ce Signature ?

I've recently been "auditioning" a pair of Studio 60 v3's and found their sound to be much more suitable to my taste in music over my current pair of Triangle Antal XS. I've not heard the Vandersteen speakers but heard they sound pretty good. Some negative comments I heard about the speakers is that they lack transparency and extention in the treble. Switching from a pair of Antals to these speakers sounds like it would be a complete opposite, but how do they compare against the Paradigm Studios? Who owns a pair of these 2Ce Signatures and how is their value rating? I'm using a pair of NAD C 272 mono blocks with an NAD DVD player. I listen to a range of music including rock, classical, electronic, folk, and more.
jwglista
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
During the past three years I have owned the Vandersteen 2CEs and Stodio 60 V2s. The extended high frequencies of the Paradigms wore me out. They came across as brittle while the extended bass response was a plus. Unfortunately when I moved my system into a small dedicated audio room the 60s bass was too much. In fact I sold the Paradigms to try monitor speakers.
The Vandersteens were more to my taste sonically; smooth liquid sound but their overwhelming size was way too much for my listening room. The are extremely large and being oriented the way they are they look larger than they should.
If I had a large room and had to chose between these two models I'd go with the Vandys. My two cents. Good luck.
zkzpb8
208 posts
 
I'm familiar with the Vandys, but I haven't heard them side by side with the 60s. I did recently hear an old pair of Meadowlark Kestrels next to the Paradigms, and experienced what has been mentioned above. The 60s just drew attention to themselves, trying to sound hi-fi, where as the Kestrels just chilled out and played music. If I put a pair of Paradigms next to any pair of Vandys, I'm sure I'd have the same experience.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Just to throw one in from the other side of the tracks, I really do not care for the 2CE Signatures, to me they are just too thick and round, though I can certainly hear their many fine strengths. Though I have not heard the 60s, I have spent some time with the Studio 20s and I would pick them in a New York minute over the Vandys. All personal preference, I suppose; it's what flaws you can live with. The decision should be easy though, don't sound too much alike.
haskin1234
3 posts
 
Hi there, I'm not familiar with the Pardigm's but I am familiar with the Vandersteen's. You can never go wrong with a time aligned speaker like the Vandersteen's. Do your self a favor and go listen to a pair before you decide.
mr_hosehead
200 posts
 
It all depends...

On things like: Are you actually talking Paradigm Studio v2s or v3s? (Yup, some do think there's a difference and not always that v3s are superior). On how old you are ('cause high-freq sensitivity does steadily drop after ~30, 'specially if you're male), so what's bright to a 25-30 year old is just right to a 45-50+ old fart. On your individual hearing and preferences. And, on your budget. Studio 60 v2's at ~$500-550 used might sound a whole lot better than ~$1500 2CE Sigs.

Both are very good speakers - they're different (at least to my old ears), but each is very good in their own way. You have to go listen to each, to decide for yourself. Everything else is just our opinion, not yours.
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