Monday, December 31, 2012

Paradigm's Shift Series A2 Wins 'Best of 2012' Award!

After earning a perfect 5 star review, HomeTheaterReview.com named the Paradigm SHIFT A2 powered speaker "Best of 2012".

"Paradigm's new Shift series of components are exactly that; a paradigm shift, in that they're aimed at a new breed of enthusiast, one who values performance, portability and simplicity. On all three levels the A2 bookshelf speakers succeed. These powered monitors sound as good connected to a laptop or portable music device as they do directly to a preamp in an intimate two channel setup. But the fun doesn't have to stop there. Thanks to their rather ingenious input and connection options you can even use them in a home theater setup, thus negating the need for bulky, or expensive amplifiers -an AV preamp is all that is required. You can even daisy chain multiple A2s together to cut down on cable clutter. Add in a variety of custom paint schemes and you've got the makings for one of this year's most surprising and well-rounded loudspeakers we tested."


Click here! to see the full list of HomeTheaterReview.com "Best of 2012" awards.
Click here! to read the full Paradigm A2 review.
Click here! for more info on the A2 or to buy online.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Millenia CT makes UFC Magazine Gift Guide!

Still looking for a gift for that special someone this holiday season? UFC Magazine recommends our very own PMillenia CT 2.1 powered speaker system. (Available at select Paradigm dealers across North American and online from Apple.com and Apple.ca.)

Pick up the December/January issue of UFC Magazine for the complete Gift Guide




Click here! for more information on the Millenia CT or to buy online.

Friday, December 14, 2012

"Sounds Like A Million Bucks" - Truly Gadgets on the Paradigm Millenia CT 2.1 System

Truly Gadgets reviewed the Paradigm Millenia CT and were big fans of this plug-and-play 2.1 system. How do we know? Our first hint is the headline of the review, which is: "Paradigm Millenia CT: 2.1 That Sounds Like a Million Bucks". Here are some of the other hints...

"We've listened to a lot of speaker systems... but this one is among the best."

"Right out of the box, we were im­pressed at the build qual­i­ty- these are dense, fair­ly heavy pieces of gear, but still sur­pris­ing­ly small. At about eight inch­es tall, they're not much big­ger than your av­er­age com­put­er speak­ers, and can eas­i­ly fit even on a desk. But the weight gives a def­i­nite clue: these bad boys pack a punch!"

"And the Mil­lenia CT (which stands for Com­pact The­ater) can eas­i­ly fill a large room and prob­a­bly go loud­er than you are in­ter­est­ed in hav­ing them go."

"One big ad­van­tage of the Mil­lenia CT ... im­pres­sive sound­stag­ing, with much big­ger sound that sur­rounds a lis­ten­er. Prop­er set­up and ori­en­ta­tion is key, but a 2.1 sys­tem of­fers a lot more bang for the buck."

"The sub­woofer shook the floor... def­i­nite­ly punch­ing way out­side of the weight class. Ex­plo­sions, es­pe­cial­ly, were im­pres­sive, and in first per­son shoot­ers... we loved the sounds of gun­fire, and deep or­ches­tral sounds with in­di­vid­u­al­ly-iden­ti­fi­able in­stru­ments. Each foot­step jumped out."

"It's worth the pric­e tag, and is a gor­geous ad­di­tion to any com­put­er sys­tem or home au­dio set­up."

Click here! to read the full Truly Gadgets Millenia CT review.
Click here! for more info on the Millenia CT or to buy online.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Men's Journal Gear Lab Collection Opens Today!

Men's Journal recently released it's "Gear of the Year" list of recommended products in which our very own Paradigm Millenia CT made the cut! Today, Men's Journal followed up that release with the grand opening of their Gear Lab Collection, in a prime retail space downtown Chicago along the busy and festive "Magnificent Mile" - N. Michigan Ave. The purpose of the Gear Lab Collection is to showcase great gift ideas for men throughout the holiday season. The retail setting is divided into various categories, just like Men's Journal magazine, featuring the latest and greatest Men's products for Outdoors, Sports, Home, Tech etc. 

And included in the Home and Tech sections of the Men's Journal Gear Lab Collection is our latest pride and joy, the Millenia CT 2.1 system. If you're downtown Chicago between now and December 23rd, stop in for a visit or to watch a weekend football game!


The Men's Journal Gear Lab Collection is Located along the famous Magnificent Mile in Chicago

Just minutes after the paper was removed from the windows for today's grand opening
1 of 2 Paradigm Millenia CT 2.1 system setups in the Men's Journal Gear Lab Collection


A Millenia CT speaker hooked up and playing loud and proud in the Men's Journal Gear Lab Collection



Click here! for more images in our 'Men's Journal Gear Lab Collection' album on Facebook.
Click here! for more information on the Millenia CT and to buy online.
Click here! for more on the Men's Journal "Gear of the Year".

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Men's Journal "Gear of the Year" includes Millenia CT!

Men's Journal released it's "Gear of the Year" list of recommended products and the Paradigm Millenia CT made the cut! 

"Big sound can come from small speakers: You just need a lot of power and a clever design. The Paradigm Millenia CT has a crushing peak-system power of 480 watts but won't clutter up the living room. It's satellites boast spacious treble, while its eight-inch cone sub delivers driving bass. Invest and home-move night will never be the same." - Geoff Morrison
Big sound can come from small speakers: You just need a lot of power and a clever design. The Paradigm Millenia CT has a crushing peak-system power of 480 watts but won't clutter up the living room. Its satellites boast spacious treble, while its eight- inch cone sub delivers driving bass. Invest and home-movie night will never be the same.

Read more: http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/electronics/the-compact-but-complete-home-theater-20121116#ixzz2DXeZFr4o
Follow us: @mensjournal on Twitter | MensJournal on Facebook
Big sound can come from small speakers: You just need a lot of power and a clever design. The Paradigm Millenia CT has a crushing peak-system power of 480 watts but won't clutter up the living room. Its satellites boast spacious treble, while its eight- inch cone sub delivers driving bass. Invest and home-movie night will never be the same.

Read more: http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/electronics/the-compact-but-complete-home-theater-20121116#ixzz2DXeZFr4o
Follow us: @mensjournal on Twitter | MensJournal on Facebook
Big sound can come from small speakers: You just need a lot of power and a clever design. The Paradigm Millenia CT has a crushing peak-system power of 480 watts but won't clutter up the living room. Its satellites boast spacious treble, while its eight- inch cone sub delivers driving bass. Invest and home-movie night will never be the same.

Read more: http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/electronics/the-compact-but-complete-home-theater-20121116#ixzz2DXeZFr4o
Follow us: @mensjournal on Twitter | MensJournal on Facebook


Click here! for the "Gear of the Year" from Men's Journal.
Click here! for more info. on Paradigm's Millenia CT or to buy it online.


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Millenia CT makes Apple's Online Holiday Gift Guide!

"The most wonderful gift of the year are here" says the subject line in an email blast sent out today from Apple. And how wonderful it is to see the Millenia CT featured in this year's Holiday Gift Guide. 

What are you waiting for? Get clicking and get your holiday shop on!


Click here! for the Apple.com Holiday Gift Guide.
Click here! for the Apple.ca Holiday Gift Guide.

For more information on the Paradigm Millenia CT click here!


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

"I'm left with only one conclusion: Paradigm's Millenia CT is exceptional." - Hans Wetzel, SoundStage!

In October, Hans Wetzel of SoundStage! did a tour of our factory here in Mississauga, Ontario Canada where he saw and heard our latest pride and joy, the Paradigm Millenia CT. We offered to send Hans a system to try out and he accepted without hesitation.

Now, just one month later, SoundStage! has published Hans' comprehensive review of the - as Hans put it - "cheeky little lifestyle system". A system that earned the 'SoundStage! Network Reviewers' Choice' award and one that Hans liked so much, he decided to buy and keep for himself!

On that note, here are a few spoilers from the review. But if you're in the market for an audio/multi-media system, we encourage you to check out the full review on the SoundStage! Xperience website...

You cheeky little lifestyle system, you
"Any thought of comparing the Millenia CTs to the Klipsches evaporated within seconds of my starting to play music through the Canadian system. The Paradigm system should not be compared to a 2.1-channel computer speakers system, or a generic lifestyle system, or even the excellent Audioengine A5+ powered speakers I so favorably reviewed earlier this year. It is superior in every way."

"This. Is. High-end." - Hans Wetzel on the Millenia CT
"There was a proper soundstage. Horns sounded like horns. Drums sounded like drums. There was a cohesive stereo image. The subwoofer played deeply and tunefully -- none of that boomy upper-bass garbage that many manufacturers try and peddle as "room-shaking"... This. Is. High-end."

"Perhaps more impressive than the vocals themselves was the fact that their timbres didn’t change as the volume increased. Even at the maximum volume I’m willing to play in my suburban apartment building without risking angering my neighbors, the Paradigms refused to distort -- a compliment to both the satellites and the amplifier driving them."

"In each instance, I was genuinely surprised by how much detail and clarity the Paradigms made available to me. I can’t overstate how accomplished the CT satellites were."

Conclusions
"Those considering a home theater in a box would do well to consider Paradigm’s 2.1 system... I’m left with only one conclusion: Paradigm’s Millenia CT is exceptional. This conveniently sized and carefully conceived system doesn’t merely hint at high-end sound -- it actually provides it. If what I’ve written thus far isn’t convincing enough, then perhaps my actions will speak more clearly: I’m buying my review sample."

We hear you Hans, thanks!

Click here! to read the Millenia CT review from SoundStage!
Click here! for more info. on the Millenia CT or to buy online.
 


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Paradigm SHIFT E2m earns a 4.5 Star Review & "The Biggie" Award from Big Picture Big Sound

Big Picture Big Sound recently published Ian White's review of our Paradigm SHIFT E2m in-ear headphones. Earning 4.5 stars and "The Biggie" award win, we're pretty excited at the outcome! Read on for some highlights...

Sounds like...
"Paradigm's loudspeakers (depending on the line) are detail champs and the E2ms don't disappoint with excellent transparency and extension on the top end... great pace and a real sense of space that many products can't reproduce at this price point. The E2ms are revealing headphones with excellent midrange clarity..."

"...some of the cleanest and least fatiguing sounding headphones I've listened to..."

Isolation & Comfort
"From an isolation perspective, the E2ms do a pretty good job of shutting out the rest of the world at above average listening levels...The tips also fit quite well and I found them to be extremely comfortable to wear on my 8-hour flight to Barcelona."


Final Thoughts
"Paradigm has earned dozens of awards for its high-value high-end loudspeakers and has made a strong transition into the headphone category with its Shift-series, earning one more award from us, and it's a BIGGIE. For $99, I can't think of a better pair of in-ear headphones that will appeal to as many listeners as the E2m"

Click here! to read the full E2m review by Big Picture Big Sound.
Click here! for more information on the Paradigm SHIFT E2m or to buy online.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

"...completely blows away almost any soundbar... vastly better than almost all of the desktop audio systems..." - Brent Butterworth on the Millenia CT

Back in March 2011, Brent Butterworth of Sound + Vision wrote a phenomenal review of the Paradigm Reference MilleniaOne and MilleniaSub. And when we say phenomenal, we mean it. He gave the system 9.7/10 and a bold and beautiful conclusion:
"I'm thrilled that at long last a speaker manufacturer decided to build a lifestyle system with all the care and quality it normally lavishes on its cost-is-no-object gear. After an hour, I was convinced that the Paradigm MilleniaOne/MilleniaSub combo is one of the best lifestyle systems I've reviewed. And after 4 hours, I was convinced it's one of the best speaker systems I've reviewed."
In January 2012, Sound + Vision announced their Product of the Year for 2011 and much to our surprise, (though not theirs), the MilleniaOne and MilleniaSub were the chosen ones!

Paradigm's Millenia CT
Fast forward to September 2012. We launch a budget and user friendly powered system on Apple.com and Apple.ca - the Millenia CT. So it was no surprise that when the product launched, Brent was more than a tad bit interested in seeing how this user-friendly budget system fared in comparison, so we sent him a system to try out... and last week we found out just what Brent thought. Read on for some teasers if you want to know...

Paradigm's Millenia CT "A 2.1 encore to our favorite compact 5.1 speaker system"
2.1 vs. Soundbar
"It just so happened that I had had several soundbars in my listening room for testing for a couple of weeks before I received the Millenia CT. I’d gotten used to the soundbar sound, and I was amazed by the difference in performance when I switched to the 2.1 system."

"The close spacing of the drivers and the well-designed crossover gives them excellent dispersion and exceptionally clear and natural midrange. Watching the DVD of Star Trek Generations, I was struck by how good the dialogue sounded."

"I was also struck by how big and enveloping the sound was... The subwoofer is more than adequate to fill out the sound from the satellites.... The Millenia CT plays good and loud, too. It’s quite listenable even at full volume."

Bottom Line
"Where it really shines is as a relatively inexpensive sound system for a TV, because it completely blows away almost any soundbar. It’s also a great choice for a computer audio system, because it’s compact and vastly better than almost all of the desktop audio systems I’ve heard. A hell of a lot of great sound for $699."

Looks like we've stayed on track with the newest addition to the Millenia family... 
Here's hoping you think so too!

Click here! to read Sound + Vision's review of the Millenia CT.
Click here! for more information on the Millenia CT or to buy online.


Monday, October 15, 2012

PC Mag gives the Paradigm Millenia CT 4.5 Stars, Editor's Choice & 1 of 10 Best Computer Speakers!!

When working so closely with an exciting new product and 'drinking the Kool-Aid', sometimes we at Paradigm forget that perhaps not everyone will think something is quite as awesome and exciting as we do. And so, after the introduction of the Paradigm Millenia CT 2.1 speaker system on Apple.com and Apple.ca last month, we have been anxiously awaiting the publication of the first industry review. Last week, we found out that Tim Gideon at PC Mag had completed his review and it was posted to the world. Our hearts skipped a beat as the web page loaded... what did he think? Did he think they were awesome? ...And then the page loaded and our hearts skipped more than just one beat...

4.5 stars!? (heart beat skipped) Editor's Choice?!?! (heart beat skipped) One of "The 10 Best Computer Speakers"?!?!? (heart beat skipped twice!)  It's a wonder how we didn't flat line!! 

This isn't just 'awesome' and 'exciting', it is 'awesomecake'!! (Confused Silence)... Sorry, we are at a loss for words and according to Urban Dictionary 'awesomecake' is described as:
Awesomecake: A situation or occurrence which brings forth feelings of 1) joy, 2) elation or 3) excitement in the one who experiences it. Used to describe those rare situations which are "beyond awesome," and therefore require the inclusion of something ELSE awesome (such as cake) to capture the fullness of just how great and amazing it is.)
Anyway, it sure feels good to drink the Kool Aid and know it's real. If you want to drink the Kool Aid too, read up on what PC Mag had to say...

Click here! to read PC Mag's review of the Paradigm Millenia CT.
Click here! to read PC Mag's article on the "The 10 Best Computer Speakers".

Like what you see/read?
Click here! for more information and to buy the Millenia CT online.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

"Beneath that glossy exterior is a well developed and hugely enjoyable loudspeaker" - Hi-Fi World on the A2


Adam Smith of Hi-Fi World in the UK recently published "Spectral Shift", a review on the Paradigm A2 powered speaker from our SHIFT Series. In his review of the product, Smith called the A2s "a very surprising loudspeaker". And what made it surprising? "Beneath the glossy exterior is a well developed and hugely enjoyable loudspeaker."

Another favourite quote includes: "I always like my review surprises to be of the pleasant varierty and the A2s may be little on the outside but they have a mighty big heart on the inside. They really do love to punch out a rollicking tune and can come up with a bass line that belies their diminutive dimensions."

But rather than ruin the whole review, take a look for yourself! 
Click here! to read the full A2 review by Hi-Fi World.

For more information or to buy the A2, Click here!

Monday, July 30, 2012

***** 5 STARS ***** for the Paradigm SHIFT A2 from HomeTheaterReview.com

At CES this past January, Andrew Robinson of HomeTheaterReview.com came to visit the Paradigm and Anthem booth and stopped at our listening bar to hear the Paradigm SHIFT A2 powered speaker. He was intrigued by the brief demo, enough so that he asked if we could send him a pair in the "ever-classy" Gunmetal Gray Gloss finish, for review.  Today, Andrew's review was published at HomeTheaterReview.com and we could not be more pleased (in fact none of us can stop smiling) with the 5 star knockout review! Here's a snippet, but we encourage you to read the full review...

Tell us how you really feel Andrew...
"The A2 powered loudspeaker, reviewed here, is arguably the Shift Series' crowning achievement and, as I would find out, possibly the best all-round loudspeaker Paradigm has ever made."

A Leader in Any Application
"As a desktop speaker, I'm not sure there is better to be had. As a pro-style monitor, the A2 can more than hold its own against industry stalwarts such as Yamaha and company. As an on-the-go, portable music-friendly speaker, the A2 is also phenomenal. As an audiophile or home theater speaker in small to medium spaces, get out of here."

"Simply put, the A2 is a fun, fun, fun mother #*&!!! loudspeaker that just so happens to also sound fantastic."
Value & Versatility
"The value proposition on top of it all only cements things in my eyes, for its internal amplifiers, connection options and included kit make it among the most versatile loudspeakers I've ever encountered. The A2's build quality is superb, its finish is flawless and, with the help of a few more mounting accessories, its reach, I feel, could be almost endless. Provided you don't ask it to do too much, i.e., fill too large a room with ear-splitting sound, the A2 is a fantastic achievement of loudspeaker design and worth every penny of its modest asking price."

Simply the Best
"Simply put, the A2 is a fun, fun, fun mother #*&!!! loudspeaker that just so happens to also sound fantastic."

"Pound for pound, the A2 is one of the best, if not the best, audiophile or home theater products I've encountered this year." 

...Simply put, we are speechless.

Click here! to read the full A2 review at HomeTheaterReview.com.
Click here! for more info. or to buy the Paradigm SHIFT A2 online.

Monday, July 9, 2012

"Paradigm’s A2 monitors are designed for real world use... smartly engineered, attractively packaged and, most importantly, great sounding" - AVRev.com

Andre Marc of Audio Video Revolution, www.avrev.com, stopped by the Paradigm and Anthem booth at CES 2012 and after hearing the Paradigm SHIFT A2 powered speakers first hand, he asked if we could send him a couple for review. So we shipped him a pair of Vermillion Red Gloss A2s with a BD-1 Bluetooth Audio Receiver and ever since, we have been thoroughly enjoying Andre's frequent emails telling us just how much he loves them... Now that the review has been published, we are over the moon with just how much Andre enjoyed the ride. Have a boo will ya...

First Look
"My review samples arrived in a brilliant Vermillion Red Gloss. By the way, all necessary cables are supplied in the package so you are ready to roll right out of the box, which is a big time saver and a really nice plus."

First Listen
"The Paradigms took me aback with their room filling, viscerally exciting presentation. I literally did a double take. This was real deal, high fidelity sound that in no way resembled classic “computer speakers” in any shape or form." 

Big Bass
"With a high quality preamp like the Belles and good cables, I found the A2's performance nothing short of astonishing considering the price and size. Bass quality and quantity are the best I have heard from a mini monitor. Period.

"I hope I am not exaggerating when I say that what I heard bass wise equaled some floorstanders I have evaluated."

Mids & Highs
"The A2 excelled in other departments as well. The midrange was clean, clear, and revealing, and the treble range was crystalline and in proper balance with the rest of the presentation. 

"...Their finely textured, neo psychedelic compositions glimmered with texture and there was even remarkable soundstage depth."

Wireless Fidelity
"Paradigm also sent along their optional BD 1 Bluetooth Audio Receiver... I synced it with my wife’s iPhone and it worked like a charm. From a good 20 feet away, I was able stream music stored on the phone with no interruption and with pretty impressive fidelity. I think Paradigm was very smart to cover all bases, almost leaving no stone unturned."

Real World Use
"Last up, naturally, was a computer desktop set up... To tell you the truth, once I got started, I found it hard to shut it off and start up my main system. That is how pleasing, uncompressed, and uncompromised the sound was."

"...with onboard 50 watt amplifiers, multiple connection options, and a nice choice of premium finishes, I believe the Paradigm Shift A2 powered monitors are exactly what I have come to expect from Paradigm -- smartly engineered, attractively packaged and, most importantly, great sounding products."

"Paradigm’s A2 monitors are designed for real world use, eschewing unnecessary “pro” audio connections, questionable styling, and other oddities common with that market. A2s are designed to be used in the home, with a variety of possible sources... Actually, any source with a 3.5 mm or RCA phono output is compatible. There is plenty of power available in the onboard amplifiers to provide satisfying, room filling sound with knock out bass and dynamics, and overall presentation has been voiced with great craft."

"I easily recommend an audition of the A2. They will blend into any decor, with a choice of several attractive finishes. There are number of available accessories, including the BD 1 Bluetooth kit, that allow for wireless connections to handheld devices."

We think that says it all, no need to comment here. :)
If you want more, click here! to read Andre's full review.
For more information on the A2 or to buy online, click here!

Friday, June 8, 2012

The E1 makes Audiophile Review's Top 5 Earbuds for Athletes

If you're any kind of audio guy/gal that frequents the gym, you must have noticed (and have begun to despise) the bad music blaring out of terrible speakers, just as much as Steven Stone of AudiophileReview.com does. You may not be able to convince the gym to invest in new equipment, but you can do something about it - bring your own equipment! ...No, we don't mean a set of A2 powered speakers flanking either side of your treadmill, we mean noise-isolating, audiophile friendly earbuds.


And Steven Stone is here to help, with a list of 5 recommended in-ear headphones for athletes and those who frequent the gym.On the short list, our very own Paradigm SHIFT E1 earbuds are one of Steven's favourites.  

Click here! to read Steven's findings.
Click here! for more info. on the E1.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

New Paradigm SHIFT Website is now Live!

You asked and we listened...
The new Paradigm SHIFT website is easier to navigate,
includes more specs, info and is even more interactive then ever before!


Visit: www.paradigm.com/shift to check it out.


Friday, May 4, 2012

"How did they sound? In a word, terrific." - Andre Marc of AVRev.com on the Paradigm SHIFT E3m

Andre Marc of Audio Video Revolution (a.k.a. AVRev.com) tested out a pair of our Paradigm SHIFT E3m earbuds and what were his overall thoughts? ... We'll leave it to Andre to say,  "In a word, terrific." Andre's review hit AVRev.com this week and we'd love for you to give it a read in full. In the mean time, here's an attempt at a summary...

Initial Doubts
"I must say upfront that I have never been fond of in ear buds and I have always used traditional headphones or portable models with ear hooks. I simply could never get earbuds to stay in properly and have always been underwhelmed by the sound, which tended to be thin."

The Confute
"The SHIFT in ear buds are the first such products that I have had no issue with. They fit perfectly, did not come out at any point, and never got tangled up. Since I generally use headphones exclusively for the gym and occasionally while traveling, this is a major plus. E3m’s were very comfortable and I barely noticed they were in my ear, and they were totally unobtrusive."

Sounds "Terrific"
"How did they sound? In a word, terrific. I would characterize their overall sound as a bit on the warmish side. High frequencies were mellow, midrange textures were supple, and bass was weighty and articulate... These earbuds were also very easy to drive, with plenty of usable volume range. Even the quietest portable devices should have no problem."


"I used the E3m’s on my Apple iPod Nano and really enjoyed the plush sound across all genres of music, including alternative, jazz, classic rock, world, and R&B. I thought imaging was excellent, and at certain points I had forgotten I was even listening to earbuds, as there was the illusion of three-dimensional sound on well-recorded material."



Extra Features
"There was also very good insulation from outside noise. These are not active noise cancelling earbuds per se, but they were great at not letting competing ambient noise in."

"Obviously a lot of engineering went into the E3m’s performance and the microphone and volume control are not just tacked on features... The volume control and microphone worked flawlessly, and the earbuds themselves and the connectors were well above average in build."

Conclusion
"Paradigm has yet again done their homework, developing a great sounding product that is well built and ergonomically impressive... their performance is in line with, or even surpasses, headphones and earbuds I have owned costing the same and even much more. If you are shopping for an upgrade to the crummy earbuds that come with your iDevice, put the Paradigm SHIFT series at the top of your list."

Click here! to read Andre Marc's full review at AVRev.com.
Click here! for more info on the Paradigm SHIFT E3m and to buy online.

Monday, April 30, 2012

Paradigm SHIFT A2 Earns "Highly Recommended" Stamp of Approval from AVForums.com (Plus a stand-out review!)

AVForums.com reviewed the Paradigm SHIFT A2 powered speakers and liked what they heard... A LOT... Enough to give them the AVForums.com "Highly Recommended" stamp of approval! AND, in fact, they compared the A2 to an iPad...
"The Paradigm Shift A2s struck me as having a certain iPad quality. You think you don't need or want the A2s, until you've spent a while using them. You slowly realize there are so many situations where they can fulfill a role, you start to wonder what life was like before.
...A new reference for us, but a wonderful one to say the least! Here are some more excerpts from the review...
"A2s have a very clean, very smooth treble, that treads a fine line between delivering enough detail to sound interesting, whilst not sounding dull. Sibilance, which particularly draws the ears attention to treble nasties and therefore treble level, is very well controlled, but not at the expense of squashing the shimmer and shine from cymbals, or the tinkle of bullet casings."
"The midrange is similarly butter smooth, without ever grating even at consistently high volumes."
...Not too shabby on the mids and highs, but what about the lows? Read on...
"Depending upon the level of playback, bass performance is quite remarkable for a speaker of this size. It is very deep and clean and, if positioned sympathetically, as tuneful as any mini monitor you will hear. Of course, the positional caveat applies to all speakers, but the extra depth on offer is only something that can be offered by an active speaker. With the performance envelope of the driver and it’s matching amplifier known, the extra extension can be offered without risk to the mid/bass driver.  At all volumes, it is tight and controlled and tracks changes of notes like a numismatist, the grip and texture a fine demonstration of what true active amplification brings to the party."
 ...Ok awesome, so the A2 proves strong in terms of highs, mids and lows - score! Now let's talk dynamics...
"...the other definitively active quality of the A2s, is their dynamics and rhythmic timing. With the phase vagaries of a passive crossover side-stepped, notes at all frequencies start and stop at the same time. The leading edge of sounds are less time smeared, intensifying the dynamic swing, with the greater control of the driver describing the decay more precisely."
... There is so much more we could share, but we would much prefer that you take the time to click here! and read the AVForums.com review in full.

For more information on the Paradigm SHIFT A2 or to buy online click here! 

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

"The Paradigm SHIFT E1 earphone excels in audio quality... remarkable sound for such an inexpensive IEM." - Touchtip

Touchtip reviewed our entry-level in-ear headphones, the Paradigm SHIFT E1, and had much praise to send our way! Here are some quotes straight from the review...

Design Aspects
"An immediate trait that pops right out when looking at the Paradigm SHIFT E1 earphones is the design of the earpieces. The wire also makes the earphones eye attractive. Paradigm has done a splendid job in distinguishing their line of earbuds from other companies."

"The Paradigm SHIFT E1 features ergonomically designed earpieces that allow it to be an easy pair of buds to wear... each eartip is color coded to distinguish between left and right quickly. This is something that no most earphone companies do but they should."

Performance
"For being a $50 earphone the E1 is a killer in terms of audio quality. After a few initial days of buring in and a good few months of testing the Paradigm SHIFT E1 lives up to its price point and even goes beyond it. It's clear and transparent all around and doesn't largely favor one single audio spectrum more."

"The E1 is a relaxing listening experience that doesn't strain the listener with one style more than the other. Bass doesn't have that drowning effect and is nicely impactful. Vocals sound just as clear as other instruments and sound lively. There's also good separation between the instruments and a decent soundstage. It's remarkable sound for such an inexpensive IEM."

Comfort
"Even without wearing the Paradigm SHIFT E1 earphones over the ear they are comfortable. This is coming from a person who always wears IEMs over the ear. The E1 does a good job of staying in place... they seal pleasantly... makes them a good pair to use for an extended period of time."

Click here! to read the full Paradigm SHIFT E1 earphone review.
Click here! for more information on Paradigm SHIFT E1 or to buy online.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Paradigm SHIFT E3m earbuds offer "stealth portability, deep low-end extension, warm sound and wallet friendliness" - EH

Bob Archer of Electronic House tried out our E3m earbuds and not only enjoyed the fact that they blocked out the painful dance/pop remixes at his daughter's dance class but also that they were reasonably priced too.

Here are a couple of  teasers from Archer's review...

"My initial impressions of the headphones were that they were comfortable to wear. I’ll admit that I’m not a fan of ear buds because they never seem like they fit right. That wasn’t the case with the E3ms, however, which come with a choice of three fittings that all proved comfortable"

"Over time the ear buds did tighten up and that ripe upper bass evaporated. This trait lends warmth to its sound reproduction that extends through the midrange. The ear bud’s top end is extended with no hint of rolloff, and the E3Ms image well."

"Another factor I should point out with the E3ms is the ear buds’ ability to block out outside noise, thanks to their snug, yet comfortable, fit. Using my daughter’s Tuesday dance class as a backdrop the E3ms spare me the pain of having to hear the worst music man ever created (dance mixes of pop music should be outlawed). This is something that travelers will want to consider as airplane cabin noise can be highly distracting."

"Further enhancing the E3m’s attractiveness is its price point. I compared the E3ms to headphones that are much more expensive and it held its own."

"I’ve been using the E3m for a few months at work, at home and for other things and over time... If ear buds are your ticket to portable device audio bliss, check out the Paradigm Shift’s E3m. They offer a combination of stealth portability, deep low-end extension, warm sound and wallet friendliness."

Click here! to read the full Paradigm SHIFT E3m review at EH.com
Click here! for Paradigm SHIFT E3m product details or to buy online.


Monday, April 16, 2012

"The E3m is a genuinely musical device that does what it is set out to do... to please almost anyone" - The Audio Beat


Richard Freed of The Audio Beat reviewed the Paradigm SHIFT E3m and concluded that "it has an agreeably musical character that will appeal to more than a few listeners." We were pleased to read all of the details that Richard went into when testing out the E3ms and although we have mentioned some highlights below, we encourage you to read the full review.

"The E3m looks good... understated elegance."
Good looks
"The E3m looks good. Its attractive design seems to be an indication of solidity and seriousness of purpose, and an encouragement of high expectations. There is nothing radical about it, but nothing really ordinary either. It's available in either black or white. The black option, which I received, contrasts with the sleek-looking machined aluminum used for the 'buds and the grip for  the connecting pin to create a further impression of understated elegance."

"The E3m comes with three pairs of tips -- small, medium and large... Although most IEM user guides tell us to go for a tight seal to ensure a rich bass response, I was pleased to see that Paradigm cautions, "Tips should fit snugly but not tightly." Too tight a seal can pump up the bass in such a way that the defining high frequencies are swamped on the low end, robbed of their clarity and definition, and bass becomes an amorphous sonic ooze instead of being an element of the music."

Performance
"The burn-in proceeded impressively. After about 25 hours' use the E3m identified itself as something a good deal more than simply a good performer for the price; by 50 hours the reservation "for the price" more or less faded out of the picture; after 80 or 90 hours, it was simply a fine musical device that will appeal particularly to listeners who favor IEMs and are most comfortable with a rich, sumptuous low end, without sacrificing definition throughout the range."

"Here the cymbals were delicately vivid, and the triangle... emerged from its cushion of orchestral texture with the slender, shimmering ping one hears from a good seat in a concert hall. The chorus too came through with fine naturalness."

"... and the E3m upheld the familiar image of burnished gold, while the upsurge of the orchestra's entire low end... was given exceptional presence and body."

"The E3m handled the beefy good humor of this episode with its kaleidoscopic details just beautifully."

"Its declared objective of rich bass was realized without neglecting the rest of the tonal spectrum, and the nature of one's response to it is likely to be more in the nature of personal taste than an objective judgment of "right and wrong." In other words, beyond the E3m's native accuracy lies the realm of personal taste."

Summing it up
"The bottom line here, though, is that the E3m more or less defines its own terms rather than meeting its established competitors head-on... The E3m is a genuinely musical device that does what it set out to do... to please almost anyone. It is comfortable for long stretches without physical or listening fatigue -- and if cost is a concern, it is clearly a standout at its modest price."
 

Click here! to read the full review by the Audio Beat.
Click here! for more information on the E3m or to buy online.


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Paradigm SHIFT April Audio Giveaway with Technology Tell


We have paired up with Technology Tell to offer you - the readers - an April-long audio giveaway. This special month-long giveaway includes four sets of Paradigm SHIFT E2m earbuds. And the best part (other than a chance at free earbuds)? Technology Tell is offering you a variety of opportunities to win. Read on for details on how to enter; it's too easy!

Entry Method #1:
Entry method #1 is the fastest and easiest... Simply click here and fill in the subscription form.

Entry Method #2
Up until Thursday, April 12th at 4 PM EST, you can get one extra chance to win by connecting with Technology Tell on Pinterest. Pinterest users must pin original pictures of something related to music, use the hashtag #showbuds AND mention @TechnologyTell. They will monitor these pins and whoever gets the most re-pins for the week wins!

Entry Method #3:
If you are not on Pinterest, have no fear. Next week Technology Tell will offer Twitter users a chance to win a pair of the Paradigm Shift E2m earbuds.

Entry Method #4:
AND, there will be a few special extra chances to win hidden in some of Howard Whitman’s music reviews.

Finally, in the last week, anyone who filled in the official form (Entry Method #1) will have a chance to win one of two pairs of the Paradigm SHIFT earbuds.

So get started! The subscription form and Pinterest portion of the contest are already in the works. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @ShiftbyParadigm and @TechnologyTell as well as Paradigm SHIFT's Facebook page and Technology Tell's Facebook page... cuz you don’t want to miss any of the week-by-week opportunities!

Remember, the more you participate, the better your chances.
 Good luck!

Click here! for more information on E2m earbuds.

Friday, March 23, 2012

4 Stars for Paradigm SHIFT E3m from Home Theater Review!

Brian Kahn of HomeTheaterReview.com gave the Paradigm SHIFT E3m earphones a long listen and after careful evaluation gave them 4 stars for Performance, Value and Overall! Here are some quotes from the review:

Build Quality
"Build quality for these Canadian-made in-ear monitors is quite good, with cloth-covered cables and an aluminum-bodied "Y" piece, microphone/control and connector. Not that you would want to abuse these, but they look like they should easily stand up to the rigors of constant use."

Listen Up
"Those who haven't upgraded from the stock earbuds that came with their music player or iProduct can reap big benefits by taking a listen to the new Paradigm Shift in-ear monitors."

"I found the e3ms to do an excellent job with the midrange. Not only were the music vocals full-bodied and natural, voices on the phone were rendered with great clarity"

E3m Out-of-box Experience

"Bass notes through the Paradigm Shift e3ms are indeed strong and full, with a bit of bloom that... provides a satisfyingly balanced reproduction of the lower octaves."

"Not only were the music vocals full-bodied and natural, voices on the phone were rendered with great clarity. When using the e3ms, I do not recall ever having to turn up the volume to hear a caller, as I have with other ear bud-style earpieces."

Overall
"Overall, the Paradigm Shift e3ms are easy to recommend. They are well-made, small, lightweight, comfortable and sound good...they provide phone integration and a very competitive price."

4 stars for the Paradigm SHIFT E3m!
"For those who are looking for an in-ear design that provides good sound for both music and telephone conversations in a small, reasonably-priced package, the Paradigm Shift series of in-ear monitors deserves a listen."



Click here! to read HomeTheaterReview.com's full review.
Click here! for more details or to buy the E3m's online.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

"...consistently and surprisingly airy, spacious and transparent..." - S+V on the Paradigm SHIFT A2 speakers

Daniel Kumin of Sound + Vision recently posted a review called "Power to the Speakers: Three New Active Desktop Systems". In his review he tried out three powered speaker pairs from three different companies to see whether or not they "serve all your listening needs". One of three speakers chosen for the trio, was our Paradigm SHIFT A2 powered speakers and here's what Kumin had to say...

"The Paradigm Shifts’ sound is equally straightforward: dynamic, uncolored, and impressively extended. The A2’s reproduced pop and jazz bass with laudable impact and pitch-definition down to the lowest notes of the bass guitar...Music keying on smooth and extended treble, such as piano jazz trios or string quartets also sounded great"

"... the A2’s treble was consistently and surprisingly airy, spacious, and transparent...the Paradigms produced a volume of clean, still-dynamic, still-extended sound that listeners unfamiliar with powered speakers, and especially small powered speakers, struggled to reconcile with their visual input."

Daniel goes on to review the other two speakers in the mix and then reflects on his experience after having a chance to play around with all three. Here are his final thoughts...

"Which would I buy? All three...For a permanent in-room hi-fi setup the Paradigm Shift A2s impressed me as the most competitive with a high-end amp-and-mini-monitor combo... All three are tremendous values. And more are out there — with more still, doubtless, on the way. The revolution has begun. Power To the Speakers!"

 Click here! to read the full article on the Sound+Vision website.
Click here! for more information on the A2 and to buy online.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Introducing New Paradigm SHIFT Accessories

We are excited to introduce two new accessories to the Paradigm SHIFT series: The BD 1 Bluetooth receiver and sport earhooks.


The Paradigm SHIFT BD 1 is the perfect accessory to pair with the Paradigm SHIFT A2 powered speaker. The BD 1 is a universal Bluetooth receiver that allows you to stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled device supporting an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) or Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP). This includes the iPhone, Android and Blackberry phones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as laptops, PCs and tablets.

The Paradigm SHIFT ear hooks (sold as a pair) hold your earbuds in place during periods of intense activity. The lightweight, soft silicone rubber design allows for a comfortable fit and has a convenient cord canal to prevent interference with your activity of choice. Our earhooks can be used with most earbuds on the market but were designed, engineered and manufactured in-house for use with all Paradigm SHIFT earbuds.

Both accessories are available for purchase in North America direct from the Paradigm SHIFT online store: www.paradigm.com/shift or coming soon to your closest Paradigm SHIFT dealer.