I gave a hefty audition to the Monitor 7 V5, with my mix of digital, analog, piano, male voice, rock, symphony, chamber recordings, etc. As an audio veteran I can't recommend that particular speaker. While opinions and brand loyalty differ, I found the bass QUITE WEAK - with a somewhat smaller interior cabinet volume, 5.5 inch woofers, and a cabinet that is sturdy, but not rock solid. The midrange was FAIR and no better, upper midrange and high frequencies lacked air and presence. I don't want to be overly harsh for a $600 speaker, but I suggest an audition. Strangely, the Monitor 9 V5 totally impressed me.
I had the Titan Monitor v.5 speakers for a few days. They are completely different from the current Titans. They are slightly more efficient than the previous v.4 performance and monitor line.
However, in the end, I opted for a new Pair of v.4 Monitor 5 speakers.
I've also posted several pictures in the Paradigm thread over at the AVSForum of the new Titan Monitor v.5 speaker components and construction.
While auditioning Paradigm back in January I listened to the 7's, 9's and 11's. The 7's sounded flat to me. The 9's sounded very good and the 11's were very disappointing. They too, sounded very flat. These were MY observations.
I then listened to the Studio 20's. A HUGE step up from the Monitors. I wanted a floor stander so I ended up with the Studio 60's. I am VERY happy with them.
Chico, the 11's I listened to were new. The 7's and 9's were old model.
The 7's & 9's were hooked up to Marantz receiver. The 11's had adcom amp.
Let it also be said that I am no pro with this stuff. But, I have been listening to music as long as I've been breathing and I know what I like.
This says nothing about what Tommy might like. And the jump in price from the 7's to the Studio 60's is like comparing apples to aircraft carriers (?)
I would like to hear the new Monitors. Like I said, the 9's sounded good to me.
Besides, I don't think Tommy wants me running his "new speaker" project....I went in looking to upgrade speakers and ended up with new speakers, amp/pre amp, tuner and cd player is on the way. Blew through the budget and past the contingency.
The Monitor 7 (old) was my favorite floorstander in the monitor lineup. The bass was rich and full sounding, and had very good midrange performance. The highs were also quite good as well. They imaged well, and had decent depth to the sound.
The issue with them was that you could hear some cabinet coloration.
IMHO, the older monitor 9 was a terrible speaker, muddy and boomy. My dealer agreed with me on this assessment, as well as 2 others.
That surprises me that you thought the 7 was flat.
Gavin- I auditioned the speakers at 2 different shops and may have my info/stores mixed up in my overloaded hard drive. I probably should get my shite together if I am going to throw in my two cents here. I AM going to go back to one of the stores tomorrow and verify my position. I will state that one of the auditioned models (be it the 7 or 9) was extremely disappointing for me.
Now that I think about it....the one I liked retailed for around $650
Well I went back and re-auditioned the V5 Monitor 7 and my opinion has not changed. I then re-listened to the Monitor 9 and my opinion did not change. But I PURCHASED the Triangle Heliade instead. When they are delivered this week I'll post up pix and an additional review.
just for argument sake... I have a pair of Paradigm Atoms (4 years old) a 12" woofie and what the speakers can't produce in the low end, The woofie makes up for it! Actually, come to think about it, The speakers bass signal produced by the amp is mostly directed to the woofie instead of the bass speaker(s) in the atoms. The neat thing about using a subwoofer with these, as well as any other speaker that size exsp., is that the bass is emphasized and makes the speakers' lows sound Great!
I do concur with that later statement. personally i have my monitor3's(v5) for a few months and i found the bass in them quite adequate an clean at reasonable volumes... but along comes the wife and she unknown to me turns out to be a bass feign. lol I'm trying to avoid getting a sub since i dont listen to movies really mainly music. So i'm keenly considering either the era d4 or d5 for my second pair of bookshelves.
