Speaker shootout: Paradigm Monitor 9 V1 vs. 11se Mk3

[RTally]

I currently have a pair of Paradigm Monitor 9 V1 as my front speakers for my living room HT system. Bought them new almost 20 years ago. They were recently recapped. They have passable SQ but I know I could do better. Most importantly, my wife likes the Monitors.

A pair of 11se Mark 3 speakers has become available. The only place I could use these speakers is as a replacement for the Monitor 9s. The 11se is a larger, heavier speaker - 136 lbs for the pair versus 96 lbs. The 11se is a 4 driver, 3-way versus the 3 driver, 2-way Monitor.

I cannot audition the 11se in place before purchase. I also have a pair of Paradigm 3se and a pair of 5se. Both pairs are in smaller rooms. I like the way the se speakers sound. I have not compared the smaller se speakers in the same room with the larger Monitor 9. But I think the older Paradigms sound better than the newer ones.

Should I replace my Monitor 9 with the 11se? Will the 11se have a big enough increase in SQ to justify replacing the Monitor 9s?

 

[SleeperSupra]

Simultaneously audition one as a left channel and one as the right and see which sounds better to you. Switch sides of the speakers around to make sure you can listen without the room/furniture getting in the way. Audition them this way for a few days to get a good idea of the differences.

 

[SleeperSupra]

Be sure to initially adjust for efficiency/sensitivity differences.

 

[RTally]

Simultaneously audition one as a left channel and one as the right and see which sounds better to you. Switch sides of the speakers around to make sure you can listen without the room/furniture getting in the way. Audition them this way for a few days to get a good idea of the differences.

I cannot audition in place before purchase. If I could, it would be an easy decision. I am also not too keen on the idea of picking them up and getting rid of them if I do not like them. That is always an option, but not one I like to exercise.

It is a 4 hour round-trip to pick them up. I am looking for info from anyone who has experience with these two speakers before I spend a better part of a day on a pickup.

 

[SleeperSupra]

Sometimes you just have to take a chance.

Good luck.

 

[bcbud3]

I had the 11mk3's. Didn't like them. Sold them and found a pair of 11mk2 instead. Liked the mk2 better. I also have the 9se mk2.

 

[RTally]

I had the 11mk3's. Didn't like them. Sold them and found a pair of 11mk2 instead. Liked the mk2 better. I also have the 9se mk2.

I have heard that the earlier se series speakers were better than the later ones. Your experience proves that.

What was the difference you noticed between the mark 3s and the mark 2s?

 

[bcbud3]

If I remember, the mk3s were 8 ohm and the mk2 are 4 ohm. The mk2 responded much better to my source. The mk3 were missing some of the boominess that the mk2 can deliver. I like bass heavy music. The 11se v2 is a great rock speaker. I think the work "dark" has been used elsewhere to describe them. The mk3 was just ok. Not bad but not what I was looking for. To my listening tastes, the mk2 SE series is the type of sound I enjoy, fatigue free.

 

[RTally]

Well, I did not get the 11se's. No loss. It was a good price, but not SCROE good. I guess if I was really wanting the speakers I would not have taken the time to post here, but would have made the drive immediately to pick them up. Then I could write about my impressions.

Instead, I wanted them, but not really. My buying uncertainty saves me a lot of money. Either I don't buy what I see, like here, or I wait long enough until the seller lowers his price where I cannot refuse.