Who has the 411 on Paradigm 3SE MKII's?

B

Big Jim 007

Certified Bottlehead
Okay, like I need more speakers...once addicted, always addicted...

Today I scored a pair of Paradigm 3SE MKII's that hooked up with a pair of B&W Powered Subs and let me tell you I was in a good place. From what I can tell they retailed for around $400.00 in the late 80's or early 90's (MKIII) and that they are 8ohm and can handle up to 150 wpc (recommended 15 to 100).

These little things (bookshelf) have an incredible soundstage and I cannot detect any real flaws in the lows, mids or highs, with the upper mids and highs really sweet.

They don't quite have the micro detail of my Magnapan 1.6's, but are damn close and have a bit more slam (which I do like) and because they are obviously more efficient than the Maggies can get real loud on my Marantz 9's to the point I can run them in Triode and that really sweetens things up.

They actually may be better sounding in Triode than the maggies in Ultra.

How can a budget speaker sound so darn nice.

This is the 3rd entry from Canada that I've had, the others being some PSB's that I gave as a gift to a good friend and some Energy 22 Reference Connoisseur's that are also mighty tasty. However, like the maggies are power hogs and they are mated with a 100wpc (in 8ohm) Receiver and actually like SS better than Tube...

Geez, sorry for prattling along....

Back to reality and the question, does anyone have the technical 411 on the 3SE MKII's?
 
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I just scored my first pair of Paradigms about a week ago, a pair of Mini-MK3's, and I am enjoying them.

They needed some repair, one woofer, the tinsel had snapped off, and needed to be re-soldered.

Paradigm did not f*ck around with the cabinets, they are heavily braced, solid units, and I'm sure that is where a good portion of their wonderful sound comes from! If you ever need to open yours up, take a look.

Plenty of bass from them, actually much more than you would expect from their diminuative size. Mids and hi's are all there as well, overall I am impressed with them...

Sorry, I don't have any specs for your Paradigms.
 
I personally really like the older Paradigm speakers. I have a pair of 5SE MKIIs and love them. Awesome sound for the size! I'm sure the cabinet has something to do with it as they are solid and dead. Great bass. Mids are good and smooth. Highs? All you want (titanium dome). Although the highs can be a little untamed or "metal" sounding on certain material. I prefer a good silk dome over titanium; just more laid back and natural sounding to me. Any of the MKII series speakers are great. After the MKII series they started getting cheaper and sounding that way. Less bass, etc. Anyways, here is the technical info for your speakers:

PARADIGM 3SE MKII
Type: Bookshelf / Stand mounted
Design: 2-driver, 2-way bass reflex. Quasi- 3rd order resistive port.
Crossover: 3rd order electro - acoustic at 2.0kHz.
High Frequency Driver: 25mm (1") PTD™ pure-titanium dome and former, ferro-fluid damped cooled.
Bass / Midrange Driver: 210mm (8') with diecast chassis, ICP™ injection - moulded co-polymer poly - propylene cone, Apical™ former
Low FrequencyExtension (DIN): 36Hz (DIN)
Frequency Response: On Axis (0°) ±2dB from 54Hz - 20kHz / Off Axis (30°) ±2dB from 54Hz - 18kHz
Sensitivity -- Room / Anechoic: 90dB / 87dB
Internal Volume: 22 litres / 0.78 cu ft
Impedance: 8 ohms
Physical Dimensions: H= 20" x W= 9.5" x D= 11"
Weight: 24 lb. each
 
It's amazing how well the cabinets are built! Gave them the 'ol "Knuckle-Rap" and damned if it didn't feel like a block of stone!

Don't sound as good as my Mission 750-LE's do, or look as pretty, but close enough that I am glad I only laid out $25.00 for them!

Might have to start thinning out the herd of "Big Boxes" that are hanging around here.... and start looking for quality "Small" speakers!
 
Yeah I really like my mini 3se's. Great imaging, neutral, and detailed. They saw some studio use in the early 90's and these guys: http://world.std.com/~griesngr/AES90DG.html
used 120 of them for a study titled: Improving Room Acoustics through Time-Variant Synthetic Reverberation
They were recommended by the National Research Council of Canada because they're "exceptionally free of color".
My 3se mini looks like it has a plastic dome tweeter. Is that plastic just the dust cap in front of the titanium?
 
I love my "classic" paradigm 3SeMKII but I'd like new speakers!

:D Hello everyone...greetings from rainy Toronto...
after much searching the net for info on the Paradigm 3seMKII I found this forum...what a relief! I'm hoping you can help me out.
I've been building my home theatre over the years -since 1992 and it now consists of a pair of 3seMKII at the front, a CC-370 v.4 on the centre, a couple of micros v.4 for surrounds and a PDR-8 subwoofer. I use a Yamaha RX-V657 receiver (no HDMI) only optical, and a LG BH-200 Bluray/HD-DVD player. The player is set to transcode all sound to DTS 1.5 mbps and movies sound very nice. Finally, my TV is a 720p Sony LCD 46E2000.
It's a modest set up-on a budget, but I'm very happy with what I have...or so I thought!

I've been looking at the Paradigm Monitor series and I like them! Nice look for sure.I'm considering buying either the Titan Monitor or the Monitor 7 to replace the 3seMKII...I'm looking for clearer and better defined sound, not necesarily louder or over emphasized bass.
In your opinion, do you think that I would I achieve a better HT experience if I went with the Monitor Titans (around $500 Cdn) or the Monitor 7 (around $700 Cdn)?
The Titans are similar to the 3se in size, but I've read that their bass response is not very good. Of course, the PDR-8 is ok, not great but it delivers enough bass. The Monitors are pricey and they stand on the floor.

Or do you think the "classic" 3seMKIIs are just fine and I would be "wasting" my money on the monitors unless I go to something more expensive like the Paradigm Studio Series speakers?
My room is about 15 feet long, 12 wide and 9 feet tall.

Most salespeople I have asked for advice of course tell me that I would notice a huge difference with the Titans or the Monitor 7, but since I haven't been able to audition them at home, I'm reluctant to go ahead and buy either model.

Would anyone of you care to comment please?
I understand that sound is somewhat subjective, but I know that it's not volume or a "boomy" bass what I like, but rather a clear, well defined and punchy sound.

Thanks for your help...if you can.

Elfeo
 
elfeo said:
:D Hello everyone...greetings from rainy Toronto...
after much searching the net for info on the Paradigm 3seMKII I found this forum...what a relief! I'm hoping you can help me out.
I've been building my home theatre over the years -since 1992 and it now consists of a pair of 3seMKII at the front, a CC-370 v.4 on the centre, a couple of micros v.4 for surrounds and a PDR-8 subwoofer. I use a Yamaha RX-V657 receiver (no HDMI) only optical, and a LG BH-200 Bluray/HD-DVD player. The player is set to transcode all sound to DTS 1.5 mbps and movies sound very nice. Finally, my TV is a 720p Sony LCD 46E2000.
It's a modest set up-on a budget, but I'm very happy with what I have...or so I thought!

I've been looking at the Paradigm Monitor series and I like them! Nice look for sure.I'm considering buying either the Titan Monitor or the Monitor 7 to replace the 3seMKII...I'm looking for clearer and better defined sound, not necesarily louder or over emphasized bass.
In your opinion, do you think that I would I achieve a better HT experience if I went with the Monitor Titans (around $500 Cdn) or the Monitor 7 (around $700 Cdn)?
The Titans are similar to the 3se in size, but I've read that their bass response is not very good. Of course, the PDR-8 is ok, not great but it delivers enough bass. The Monitors are pricey and they stand on the floor.

Or do you think the "classic" 3seMKIIs are just fine and I would be "wasting" my money on the monitors unless I go to something more expensive like the Paradigm Studio Series speakers?
My room is about 15 feet long, 12 wide and 9 feet tall.

Most salespeople I have asked for advice of course tell me that I would notice a huge difference with the Titans or the Monitor 7, but since I haven't been able to audition them at home, I'm reluctant to go ahead and buy either model.

Would anyone of you care to comment please?
I understand that sound is somewhat subjective, but I know that it's not volume or a "boomy" bass what I like, but rather a clear, well defined and punchy sound.

Thanks for your help...if you can.

Elfeo
Click to expand...

I purchased the Monitor 7's recently. I gave both the Titans and Monitor 7's a listen and preferred the Monitor 7s. To me they filled the room with more sound from low to high. Some say they lack bass without a big driver, but I've found they have enough bass for my taste when set up correctly. Plus, as a floorstanding speaker, I like that they take up minimal space.

Good luck
 
hey BIG JIM,
I just scored some 7se's first version with nice spiked buckshot filled stands.I have been listening to them for about 10-12 days,all types of music,from bluegrass to bagpipes to throbbing techno.They are seemless and completely nonfatiguing i'm blown away by them daily...

I guess i'm trying to say they're good (411).

other speakers usually in rotation
Dynaco a25
Celestion 6l6s
Altec model 15 mod w/jbl 15" lf drivers
HPM 900
etc...
So 2 weeks and still not even considering swapping them out,not even A/Bing them for sh@t and giggles just listening!!!

cheers
 
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