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!