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Can you help me choose between Klipsch KG4 and Paradigm Monitor 7 v3?

H

HugeDummy

New Member
Hi guys, I'm still pretty new to HiFi and have been trying out various used and vintage speakers and amps on a budget. My current amps are an NAD 3155, Sony ST-6060, and HK 930, with the NAD the main amp in use right now.

I have some pretty decent sounding bookshelf speakers but am looking for something "bigger" with more\punchier bass that will fill a room a bit more, and that i won't get sick of in the next 6 months. There are a few things sure for sale locally in the $250 range, and the main 2 catching my eye are a set of Klipsch KG4's, and a set of Paradigm Monitor 7 v3.

Reviews for both make me think I'd be happy with either pair. I'm interested in getting that famous Klipsch horn sound on the cheap, but it sounds like the Paradigms might be closer to a modern, detailed hifi speaker experience. The KG4s might measure a lower bass extension and are said to sound smooth and sensitive throughout the spectrum. I listen to mostly vintage music, everything but classical really, almost strictly on vinyl.

If anyone has thoughts or experience with either or both of these I'd appreciate it. I'd like to find some Heresys but they are selling for a couple hundred more than I'm willing to pay and I don't think my system warrants a huge investment in speakers until I upgrade other components. I also keep seeing the large Advents for sale in a similar ballpark and I do like the Advent Mini IIs that I have... My TT is a Project Debut, it's all pretty simple stuff but I listen to a lot of music and have been really enjoying mixing and matching the stuff I have.

Thanks!
 
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I have a pair of KG4s and a couple different pair of Paradigms. The KG4 does have a 12 inch passive on the rear, and is probably more efficient (takes less watts to crank them up), but my Paradigms (Studio 40v.3 and Mini-Atoms) are also pretty efficient and have a very smooth top end. They probably do not have that bass presence that the Klipsch has. I'd give the bass edge to the Klipsch, the accuracy edge to the Paradigms. Big help ain't I.
 
While there's no loser in this race, i think the KG's can be a tad strident on top unless very selectively fed from upstream.

almost strictly on vinyl.
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I'm not familiar with the specific model under consideration. But, i suspect the Paradigm's might be a bit better suited to a high vinyl diet
 
WaynerN said:
I have a pair of KG4s and a couple different pair of Paradigms. The KG4 does have a 12 inch passive on the rear, and is probably more efficient (takes less watts to crank them up), but my Paradigms (Studio 40v.3 and Mini-Atoms) are also pretty efficient and have a very smooth top end. They probably do not have that bass presence that the Klipsch has. I'd give the bass edge to the Klipsch, the accuracy edge to the Paradigms. Big help ain't I.
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Actually, yeah! I mean, a) your experience confirms what i was thinking based on reading reviews so makes me think I'm less crazy, and b) it's not like you said one is trash, you're an idiot, so makes me think I'm on the right track for what I'm after
 
bowtie427ss said:
While there's no loser in this race, i think the KG's can be a tad strident on top unless very selectively fed from upstream.


I'm not familiar with the specific model under consideration. But, i suspect the Paradigm's might be a bit better suited to a high vinyl diet
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Thanks for the input on this. I've been reading that people think the crites tweeters are well worth it to mellow out the highs, but i thought the whole appeal of klipsches was the horn tweeters. Have people's opinions of them changed based on advances in modern speaker technology, or did they always sound a little brassy compared to other speakers of the era?

I'm going to try to listen to both today. I'm a little swayed by the fact i like the look of the KG4 better and they'll fit in the room more easily, but if the Paradigms just clearly sound better\more accurate i guess it's no contest. I'm not a huge fan of these skinny modern towers but i might be getting a better deal on the Paradigms as i do see the KG models for sale a little more often.

When you say "selectively fed" do you mean the KGs can be more picky about the amp, or they might need a little EQ taming? I do have a graph I've never hooked up that would probably do the trick to shave off some unruly presence.
 
SomeGeoffGuy said:
Get either one and then get a sub. Seriously. That will get you the best room filling bass at that price level.

-Geoff
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Thank you. Any recs for an affordable sub that would mate well with either pair? I don't think any of my amps has a sub channel. And as I've never looked into subs, any suggestions on placement?
 
I don't have a KG 4 nor the Paradigm Monitor 7 V3.

I do have Klipsch KG 4.5 and Paradigm Monitor 9 V1. I have other Klipsch and Paradigm speakers. All of those speakers have been recapped and the KG 4.5 has the Crites tweeter diaphragms.

i like both the KG 4.5 and Monitor 9. I have not had them in the same room, with the same amplifier.

The Monitor 9 works well as front speakers for my HT. I have them paired with Paradigm Titans for surround and a Yamaha for a sub. They perform very well at low volumes, which is why my wife wants them to remain in the living room. The Pioneer AV receiver driving the M9 does not do them justice for music when played loud. I have Paradigm 5se powered by a Luxman integrated amp that I like much better than the Pioneer-M9 system. I want to power the M9 with an Adcom amp, which I believe will help open up the M9s for music playing.

The KG 4.5 do very well with music. They sound equally well with various amps, such as a Denon POA-5200, and receivers, such as a Yamaha RX-V793 and a NAD 7240PE. I don't feel a need for a sub with the KG 4.5

I do not use either system for critical listening. Although I listen to music almost all day long, I rarely have the chance to sit in the "magic spot" and just listen.

Bottom line is that I am happy with both the KG 4.5 and the M9. I would expect the KG 4 and the M7 V3 to be enough similar to what I have that I would like them the same way. I would expect the KG 4 would need to be recapped and possibly the tweeter diaphragm replaced with a Crites titanium. I would expect the M7 V3 to be new enough not to need any work, although I was disappointed to find electrolytic caps in my M9 v1.

Good luck with your choice.
 
Thanks for everyone's input. I ended up going with the Paradigm towers without even hearing the KG4. The Paradigms just sort of blew me away for the price and they were the cheaper of the 2. Compared to everything else I've owned there's a depth and width to the image that I haven't experienced yet on my cheap system. I especially like the way they handle highs, there's plenty of sparkle but if I close my eyes it's like the speakers stop being there on well recorded vocals and especially acoustic guitars. I ended up finding a matching Paradigm PDR 10 v3 sub and got the whole set for $300. I was happy enough without the sub but it just adds a weight and body to the low end that's very satisfying. I'm understanding some of the terms people use to describe their listening experiences in a new way. I know there's stuff out there that's different or "even more so" the things I'm liking, but I don't think I'm going to be tired of this setup for a while. Probably the best thing now is the sound is so immersive I don't realize how loud I'm listening until i try to say something and have to raise my voice. Not fatiguing at all so far. Now I just have to convince myself to stop shopping, this hobby seems a little bit addictive.

Thanks again for the valuable feedback!

Brian
 
WaynerN said:
You really should not need a sub with the KG4s.
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I am not sure how to reply to this. "Need" versus "will see a benefit..."..

A decent sub for sure will give them better deep bass, and take the strain from the main amp and woofers.

The Klipsch are rated -3db down at 38 Hz.

My one velodyne CT 120, goes about 10 hz lower and it is a totally different feel and sound than a speaker that starts to roll off around 40 hz.

As to "Need", I mean yeah the KG4 sound decent as is, but for really deep bass.....just okay.
 
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