• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Paradigm 3SE Mini makeover

TT-newbie

TT-newbie

Active Member
As Covid-19 shuts down business for a while, I decide to do a few projects on my bucket list. The first one is a pair of Paradigm 3SE Mini that I got a few years ago at a local thrifty store for $5.99. As many inmates have echoed their opinions, they are really nice sounding speakers. They have balance sound and can go quite deep considering their sizes. Because they are Paradigm budget line, the cabinets look really shabby and ordinary.
$_55.JPG


I am going to transfer the drivers into a more modern, better constructed cabinets.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200311_071535.jpg
    IMG_20200311_071535.jpg
    23 KB · Views: 34
  • IMG_20200311_071548.jpg
    IMG_20200311_071548.jpg
    33.8 KB · Views: 36
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
We had a pair of those in our house when I was a teenager, really surprised the foam is still intact unless someone replaced them already. The pair we had the foams were shot by 2002 or so.

Those are early versions with the foam ring covering the woofer screws. Pics when done would be nice .
 
Foams on my pair are all rotten. Here are my preparations on drivers. New foams and binding posts etc. Also, got Solen caps for the crossover.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200311_071659.jpg
    IMG_20200311_071659.jpg
    36.2 KB · Views: 48
  • IMG_20200311_071734.jpg
    IMG_20200311_071734.jpg
    27.5 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_20200311_071743.jpg
    IMG_20200311_071743.jpg
    38.7 KB · Views: 49
  • IMG_20200311_071802.jpg
    IMG_20200311_071802.jpg
    28.7 KB · Views: 46
  • IMG_20200311_083208.jpg
    IMG_20200311_083208.jpg
    35.3 KB · Views: 44
  • 968781a7fbd0edb2107a1557d3070dd.jpg
    968781a7fbd0edb2107a1557d3070dd.jpg
    72.6 KB · Views: 47
Last edited:
Bought a pair of cabinets locally. I think the guy must be inspired by some Sonus Faber designs(if not copied;)). He claimed that his company is making OEM speaker cabinets for many companies. From his product lines, they do have some nice setup and qualily cabinets. I like the look of this cabinet. It has 19 litres of volume compared to original cabnet of 16 litres. A slightly bigger cabinet may give the low end a bit boost. According to the manufacturer, the curved shape will reduce the bass disturbulance and create tight bass.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200311_072349.jpg
    IMG_20200311_072349.jpg
    29.9 KB · Views: 56
  • IMG_20200311_081312.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081312.jpg
    33.1 KB · Views: 50
  • IMG_20200311_081326.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081326.jpg
    28.7 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_20200311_081336.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081336.jpg
    36.9 KB · Views: 50
  • IMG_20200311_081358.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081358.jpg
    37.5 KB · Views: 52
  • IMG_20200311_081420.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081420.jpg
    40.3 KB · Views: 48
  • IMG_20200311_081446.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081446.jpg
    26.7 KB · Views: 48
  • IMG_20200311_081459.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081459.jpg
    27.4 KB · Views: 50
  • IMG_20200311_081513.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081513.jpg
    40.1 KB · Views: 51
  • IMG_20200311_081535.jpg
    IMG_20200311_081535.jpg
    39.9 KB · Views: 53
Last edited:
Installing everything into the cabinets was a breeze. I gave all the dimensions of drivers to the manufacturer. He cut the exact size of holes. I transfered all the riginal seals and mounted drivers with ease. The binding posts took some time to solder, but they so much better looking and easy to use. Now it is the time to show if all my efforts are worthwhile. To be honest, 3SE Mini was a quite performer before the makeover. However, the sound of new speakers is just much better. The low end goes a bit deeper and tighter thanks to the bigger cabinet and curve shape. The clarity is better too, which I think comes from Solen capacitors replacing old bipolar electrolysis. Overall I am very happy with the results. I put this pair in my office. They are now a very good looking pair of Paradigm 3SE Mini and better sounding too!

All these work cost me about $150. Considering my initial investment on the speakers, I spent quite a bit on upgrade. But the end results are so good, and makes it very worthwhile. Thanks to extra time off the Covid-19 caused to all of us. It is the time to move to my next project!:banana:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200313_083658.jpg
    IMG_20200313_083658.jpg
    23.3 KB · Views: 51
  • IMG_20200324_115106.jpg
    IMG_20200324_115106.jpg
    26.1 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_20200324_115341.jpg
    IMG_20200324_115341.jpg
    60.7 KB · Views: 49
  • IMG_20200324_115850.jpg
    IMG_20200324_115850.jpg
    41.1 KB · Views: 47
  • IMG_20200327_192014.jpg
    IMG_20200327_192014.jpg
    24.5 KB · Views: 53
Last edited:
I've got these downstairs in my unfinished side of basement that I run while doing piddly work.
Got mine at yard sale a couple years ago and did refoam. They do sound nice, I may need to
try the upgrade route also.
TT, what value caps did you get? Do you have a part number?
THANKS!
 
ramzilla said:
I've got these downstairs in my unfinished side of basement that I run while doing piddly work.
Got mine at yard sale a couple years ago and did refoam. They do sound nice, I may need to
try the upgrade route also.
TT, what value caps did you get? Do you have a part number?
THANKS!
Click to expand...
Those are 4.7uF/100V bipolar that I replaced with Solen PB-MKP-FC 4.7uF/400V.
 
Those look great ! FYI... Looks like someone swapped out the original 3se mini woofers to the improved later version. . Early Paradigm woofers that had the foam ring covering the mounting screws were stamped steel baskets, they then went to a cast aluminum basket like yours with exposed screws and embossed "Paradigm" logos on the front of the frame that were meant to be seen....not covered in foam.

And how"s the sound ? I bet the bass is much improved.
 
Mr.Jim said:
Speaker guy contact info.?
Click to expand...
ramzilla said:
thanx.
Now, spill the beans x 2!
Click to expand...
OK, some of you may notice my other posts that I have currently moved back to China to take care of family business. I brought some audio gears with me to keep my hobby going. When I mentioned that I purchaed "locally", it is city where I live currently in China. The guy is selling those cabinets on www.taobao.com as well, a site simlilar to Amazon. I have no affiliation with the guy. I will try to find his direct link and post here if it is not violating the rules of this forum. Many inmates are familar with those online Chinese online shops, A word of caution, the quality of products can vary widely. But I am pretty happy with what I bought this time.
 
Last edited:
mikeybc said:
Those look great ! FYI... Looks like someone swapped out the original 3se mini woofers to the improved later version. . Early Paradigm woofers that had the foam ring covering the mounting screws were stamped steel baskets, they then went to a cast aluminum basket like yours with exposed screws and embossed "Paradigm" logos on the front of the frame that were meant to be seen....not covered in foam.

And how"s the sound ? I bet the bass is much improved.
Click to expand...
I didn't know that. Mine came with cast aluminum baskets. One thing is certain about these speakers is they sound very nice. That is why I brought them across pacific ocean. I did foam twice as I found that it requires a specific size of foam. The foams I got this time fit the rims perfectly. The speakers now sound much better, not because of any psychological effects. Both low end and high end improved. Bass extended a bit but much tighter. The high end and clarity improved too, I think it is from my recap on crossover. The sound fills my office nicely, which is fairly big(about 600 square feet). My wife walked into my office the other day and commented that the sound is so detailed. For anyone who is not into audio tells you that, you know something is real and special.
 
Last edited:
TT-newbie said:
OK, some of you may notice my other posts that I have currently moved back to China to take care of family business. I brought some audio gears with me to keep my hobby going. When I mentioned that I purchaed "locally", it is city where I live currently in China. The guy is selling those cabinets on www.taobao.com as well, a site simlilar to Amazon. I have no affiliation with the guy. I will try to find his direct link and post here if it is not violating the rules of this forum. Many inmates are familar with those online Chinese online shops, A word of caution, the quality of products can vary widely. But I am pretty happy with what I bought this time.
Click to expand...
I could ask the guy give me his link on that website. But I don't know if it will violate the posting rules of audiokarma.
 
Late to the thread. Great job on your 3se's. Thanks for the info, just ordered the caps for mine.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom