Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v loudspeaker test.3

Studio 60 v.3 Canadian company Paradigm stand out for their expensive look and analytical sound, without forgetting about the dynamics at the same time. The speakers are versatile, they can be recommended for stereo and DT.

TEST RESULTS

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES: It’s amazing how a few new touches in the design of a speaker can give it a precious and generous look. This is exactly what happened with the third version of the Studio 60 speakers from the Canadian company Paradigm. The previous models of version 2 looked quite ordinary-looking, not too different from other speakers in their class. The updated models are taller and deeper, with more internal volume, although the weight is slightly “slimmer. In the third version the Speakers got sleek plastic feet extending on the sides. The speakers come with special metal spikes of two types: with sharp and rounded ends. But the most striking change is in the front panel. Added decorative trim around the front reflex port to the solid metal speaker brackets. Now all the speakers and the port look like one unit and are very imposing. The metal surfaces around the tweeter and port are textured to attenuate acoustic wave diffraction. The lowermost front of the speakers is also hammered into the metal. The tweeter is now located much higher than before. In fact, part of its metal overlay is slightly higher than the edge of the top panel, so there’s a specific bulge on top of the cabinet to even out the “situation. The curve of the top panel that runs smoothly into the side cabinet walls looks beautiful. On the back of the cabinet is another bass port and terminal board with high-power universal connectors, the number of which allows two-cable connection.

The Studio 60 v.3 Uses a 2.5-band crossover configuration with 2nd order electroacoustic filters. The tweeter is fitted with a 25mm aluminium dome, which is covered from the outside with a vertical coupler. A ferromagnetic fluid is used for cooling and the metal bracket dissipates the heat. The 178mm tweeter/woofer unit is equipped with a yellow-painted mica-polymer diaphragm. In the center of the MF/HF driver there is a phasing cap – a metal bullet, which was not present in the previous version of the speakers. The driver spans the frequency range from 2kHz and below. A third speaker is a 178mm woofer with a black polypropylene cone, which operates only to 500 Hz. All speaker chassis are resiliently coupled to the front panel using proprietary IMS/Shock Mounting technology. So the mechanical vibration of the speakers is practically not transferred to the cabinet. All speakers are magnetically shielded for ease of use in DT systems.

The Studio 60 v.3 with a choice of four finishes: pale maple, cherry, black ash and burl walnut all front panels are finished in black.

AUDIO QUALITY: the sound of Canadian speakers is distinguished by a bit “prickly”, but very detailed top with crystal clear cymbals and brushes. Top

analytical, slightly forward-facing middle with upbeat brass, clear strings, melodic piano. Top midrange sometimes sounds a bit bright, but never over the limit of propriety.

The fact that we started with the sound of the speakers in the upper frequencies, does not mean that the “Kanadok” to the sounds of the lower registers is neglected. Speakers show excellent articulation all the way to the midrange up to 70-80 Hz , with only a softening of the emphasis below. But it happens gradually, so the impression remains of a fairly deep and dynamic bass, suitable even for “heavy” rhythms of music, even for DT.

The speakers seemed to have a noticeably directional sound, so you have to turn them toward the listener to get an accurate scene. But observing this simple requirement results in a wide and voluminous panorama with the accurate localization of all images and the correct transfer of distances and sizes. The latter is especially noteworthy. Unlike many mid-range American Hi-Fi speakers, the Studio 60 v.3 do not artificially inflate the scale of the music scene.

PRICE: $1195.

SUMMARY

ADDITIONS: excellent sound microdynamics, dynamic upper bass and mid-bass, contrasting sound panorama.

RESTRICTIONS: slightly emphasized upper midrange, increased sound directivity.

CONCLUSIONS: Studio 60 v.3 Canadian company Paradigm stands out by its expensive appearance and analytical sound, not forgetting at the same time about the dynamics. The speakers are universal and can be recommended for stereo and DT.