GOODSOUND!GoodSound! "Editorial" Archives

May 1, 2008

 

High-Value Quest

I recently toured the manufacturing facility of Paradigm Loudspeakers, in Toronto, Canada, with SoundStage! Network publisher Doug Schneider, who usually writes this column. The tour was informative for many reasons, not the least being that it made clear to us the company’s commitment to produce excellent speakers for almost every market segment.

Paradigm’s 250,000-square-foot factory is impressive for both its size and its capabilities. While today speaker factories are more likely to be located in China than in North America, Paradigm still builds most things in Canada: raw materials go in one end, and highly regarded finished loudspeakers come out the other. But, despite the "disadvantages" of keeping its manufacturing base in North America, Paradigm is still an innovation and value leader. The company’s Reference Signature S1 v.2, for example, has a cutting-edge aluminum enclosure and, arguably, the finest beryllium tweeter on the planet, all for $1500/pair. Even the company’s least-expensive speakers, the Monitor series, benefit from advanced driver technology, engineering to very close tolerances, and assembly techniques that are nothing short of cool.

But ingenuity and value are not the sole provinces of big companies like Paradigm. In my "D-I-Why & How" column on SoundStage!, I’ve highlight products that offer an incredible ratio of performance to price, from small companies on the leading edge of audio technology. The DIY Paradise Monica USB DAC ($180 USD) is the first D/A converter in the world to convert a computer’s USB signal to the EIAJ digital format. Exodus Audio’s Kepler loudspeaker kit has been designed using patented woofer technology, and tested better in the anechoic chamber of Canada’s National Research Council than many more expensive factory-made speakers -- mind-blowing performance for under $700/pair.

Value for dollar is central to what I look for in audio gear, and it’s a primary motivator for Paradigm. It’s also Doug Schneider’s favorite topic. As publisher, it would be easy for Doug to hoard for himself all the megabuck high-end electronics sent to SoundStage! -- yet he doesn’t. As much of a thrill as it is to listen to high-end gear, Doug gets an even bigger kick out of telling readers about hardcore audio values. That’s why you’ll see more Doug Schneider bylines on the SoundStage! Network’s GoodSound! site than on Ultra Audio. It’s also why, from now on, you’ll see more of me on GoodSound!

When I first approached Doug and editor-in-chief Marc Mickelson about a DIY column, I told them I wanted to tell mainstream audiences about the terrific value for money that can be found when doing it yourself. Little did I know that I’d found such a good philosophical fit. So when, after taking my measure during the Paradigm tour, Doug asked me to take on some reviewing duties for GoodSound!, I jumped at the opportunity. Although I’m a DIYer at heart, I realize that not everyone wants to do it for him- or herself. I’m told there are people who just don’t like the idea of playing around with a tube amp’s 500V power supply. Strange but true.

So I’m grateful for the chance to tell you about the hot values available as finished products. I hope you enjoy my reviews as much as I’ll enjoy telling you about where to find GoodSound!

…Colin Smith

E-mail comments to the editor@goodsound.com.


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