I have a 13 x 13 living room, with one side open to the dining room. I am shopping for new speakers and amplifier. I LOVE the way the Paradigm Studio 20 v4 sound, they're so dynamic and full. However I was unable to hear the Studio 40. The speakers will be on my stereo cabinets, not stands. Is it worth considering the 40s, as I have heard they HAVE to be on stands - why is that??? I wonder because I assume the bass response will be that much better with the 40s, while everything else stays just as good! Also which amps, and what power would be recommended for these speakers - I am thinking of 80 -100W, but not sure of which manufacturer these days!!!!! Thanks, David
The 20 and 40 are made to be solidly stand mounted. Mounting a speaker on a resonant cabinet or structure is counterproductive, to be polite. Rear firing ports make this a disaster soundwise as well. If your room will not allow for stands, then look at wall mounts, which will be used as designed. I read some very good things about totem tribe setups.
If you can find some info on Angstrom speakers, they might interest you as well.
I have The Studio 20's. In a 13x13 room they'll be MORE than enough. I'm currently driving them with a 40w Rotel integrated and I can push them to insane levels.