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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