Paradigm Electronics is a Canadian company that’s been focused on building products with a strong performance to value relationship for over 25 years, and specializes in the production of in-wall, on-wall and freestanding loudspeakers as well as subwoofers.  Paradigm offers several different speaker lines across a broad price spectrum, but their flagship line is appropriately called the Reference Signature Series.  I was excited about reviewing the very best home theater speaker system Paradigm has to offer in the Signature S8 v.3 floorstanding speakers, Signature C5 V.3 center speaker, Signature ADP 3 v.3 surround speakers, along with their SUB 25 v.3 subwoofer all in the Piano Black finish.  FeaturesIntroduced in 1996, the Reference Signature Series is Paradigm’s cost-no-object approach to speaker building.  Features like Paradigm’s best high frequency, midrange and bass drivers, as well as cabinet design and finish.  Upgrades include: ...

There are certain names in the speaker business that it seems like everyone knows.  Boston Acoustics is one such name. The company has been building speakers since 1979 but hasn't forgotten its two-channel “stereo” roots. But even a dedicated two-channel guy like myself has come to appreciate the home theater experience, so I split the difference for this review and asked Boston Acoustics for a traditional pair of floorstanding loudspeakers along with a subwoofer. I received a pair of BA's CS (Classic Series) 226 floorstanders ($229.99/each) in tandem with the company's 10Wi wireless-ready subwoofer ($499.99) I've found that nearly every loudspeaker benefits from having a bass-focused brother on the floor, and this 2.1 setup was no exception. CS 226 SpecsThe CS 226's are 2-way, rear-ported speakers sporting a pair of 6&1/2-inch woofers and a single 1-inch tweeter. The woofers are ...

Paradigm has been making highly regarded loudspeakers in their state of the art factory in Ontario, Canada for the past 25 years. Their longevity is likely due to making quality products across multiple markets at reasonable prices. They make excellent speakers for budget audiophiles, home theater fiends, and for uncompromising two channel high end aficionados like myself.I have heard various Paradigm set-ups in friend’s houses and have always been impressed. Personally, I’ve used the amazing little Paradigm Atom mini monitor in various small spaces in my own house. After buying a 55 inch High Definition Vizio television, I knew it was time to upgrade the sound system as well. In my household, we typically watch about one or two movies a week, either on digital cable or DVD.  We also watch tons of musical performances, which are often mixed in ...

I’ve had the opportunity to review several soundbar systems over the last year, and Yamaha’s YSP-4100 is the best-sounding unit yet. Then again, this is no ordinary soundbar but what Yamaha calls a Digital Sound Projector. The YSP-4100 is long: it measures 40.25 inches wide, stands nearly 8.5 inches high, and is 3.5 inches deep. If you choose to install the YSP-4100 on a rack, two “stands” can be quickly attached to the back. The stands are shaped like the letter “L,” with the long sides tucking under the cabinet to prevent scratching. The height can be problematic as it can block the lower screen of many TVs; as well, if you want to place it on a second shelf of an A/V rack or shelf, it may be too high again to fit. Although I don’t drill holes in ...

I reviewed the stand mounted MCS-1 a while back (link) and it was my first experience with a Thiel loudspeaker. I found out why Thiel had built a reputation of building superb sounding, neutral, and coherent speakers for 30 years. Their products are designed and built in Lexington Kentucky and all are all based on the cutting edge designs of the late, great Jim Thiel, who sadly passed away last year at the age of 62.I was so impressed with the MCS-1, which was a large monitor, that I was very interested in hearing one of their floor standers. I was offered the CS2.4, second from the top of the line CS3.7, which sells for roughly $12,000. The CS2.4 retails for $4900, but varies depending on finish. My review sample arrived in a beautiful Black Ash. The CS2.4 was first ...