Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" titanium-dome tweeter, 5.5" copolymer-cone bass/midrange driver with diecast chassis. Frequency responses: 70Hz–20kHz, ±2dB (on axis), 70Hz–16kHz, ±2dB (off axis). Impedance: "compatible with 8 ohms." Sensitivity: 89dB in room, 87dB anechoic. Recommended amplification: 15–80W.
Dimensions: 11" (277mm) H by 6.5" (165mm) W by 10.1" (256mm) D. Weight: 11.5 lbs (5.2kg).
Finishes: Rosenut, Black Ash, Cherry.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: 381893, 381894.
Price: $250/pair (…
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Sidebar 1: Specifications
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Muse Polyhymnia, Oppo Digital DV-970HD universal players; Slim Devices Transporter digital network player.
Preamplifier: Krell Evolution 202.
Power Amplifiers: Channel Island Audio D-100, Portal Paladin (both monoblocks).
Loudspeakers: Dynaudio Special Twenty-Five, PSB Alpha B1.
Cables: Interconnect: Kimber KCAG, Shunyata Research Aries & Antares. Speaker: Shunyata Research Lyra.
Accessories: Furutech eTP-609 distribution box, FP-20A(R) duplex outlets; RealTrap Mini & Mondo Traps; Ayre Myrtle Wood Blocks.—Wes…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The little Atom is surprisingly sensitive, at an estimated 90dB(B)/2.83V/m, though this will in part be due to its rather tilted-up treble balance (see later). Though its impedance drops to 3.9 ohms at 197Hz and there is also a combination of 5.5 ohms and –42.5° capacitive phase angle at 148Hz, the Atom's impedance plot (fig.1) suggests that this speaker won't be that difficult to drive. Note, however, the disparity between the impedance in the lower midrange and that in the treble. Tube amplifiers with a highish output impedance will sound tilted-up with the Atom…
Manufacturers' Comment
Editor: We'd like to thank Wes Phillips and Stereophile for the extensive and thoroughly enjoyable review of our latest incarnation of the Paradigm Atom, the Atom Monitor v.5. Reading Wes's comments as he auditioned the Atom serves as a great reminder of why we're all in this business. The joy that comes from listening to a great performance reproduced in our homes by a high-fidelity system was clearly evident in Wes's enthusiasm during the product review.
But it was his comment that the sound of the Atom "was what the High End is all about" that really…
Robert J. Reina wrote about the Paradigm Atom Monitor v.5 in February 2008 (Vol.31 No.2):
After reading Wes Phillips' positive review of the fifth generation of Paradigm's Atom loudspeaker in the September 2007 Stereophile, I thought it would be interesting to compare it with the Atom v.3, which I reviewed in September 2002 (Vol.25 No.9), and which ever since has been one of my benchmarks for entry-level speakers.
The Atom v.3 floored me when I first heard it at a Stereophile show. I hadn't believed that a speaker costing $190/pair could provide such a realistic musical experience…
These are great times for analog, and I'm happy to have played a small part in the revival, but recently the demand for some products has outstripped supply; getting review samples has been next to impossible. I've requested an Audio Research PH7 phono preamplifier for literally years now, but ARC can't build them fast enough, so they don't need a review. The more they sell, the greater the buzz, and the greater the buzz, the more e-mails I get from readers asking for a review. It's not nice to not be needed.
Likewise, I haven't been able to procure a Schröder tonearm or an Allaerts…
EDDIE DANIELS: ...This Is Now
Eddie Daniels, clarinet; Billy Childs, piano; Tony Dumas, Jimmy Johnson, bass; Ralph Penland, Vinnie Colaiuta, drums
GRP GRD-9635 (CD only). Bernie Kirsh, eng.; Eddie Daniels, Billy Childs, prods. DDD. TT: 64:31
Eddie Daniels, clarinet; Billy Childs, piano; Tony Dumas, Jimmy Johnson, bass; Ralph Penland, Vinnie Colaiuta, drums
GRP GRD-9635 (CD only). Bernie Kirsh, eng.; Eddie Daniels, Billy Childs, prods. DDD. TT: 64:31
BRAHMS: Clarinet Quintet in b, Op.115
WEBER: Clarinet Quintet in B-Flat, Op.34
Eddie Daniels, clarinet; The Composers String Quartet
Reference Recordings RR-40 (LP), RR-40CD (CD). Keith O. Johnson, eng.; J. Tamblyn Henderson, Jr., prod. AAA/DDD. TT: 62:31
Equally adroit performing jazz or classical music, heralded as a…
The Federal Express delivery man was having a hard time carrying the box containing the Krell KSA-100S up the front steps.
"What's in here, anyway?"
"It's an audio amplifier."
"You're kidding! I didn't know they made them that heavy."
"Well, this model is only second from the bottom in a line of four. The top model weighs 185 lbs."
"I sure hope you're not getting one of those, too!"
Mr. Fed-Ex need not have worried. With a shipping weight approaching 100 lbs, the KSA-100S is about as heavy an amplifier as I can manage. Given the rave the KSA-300S…
Further sonic improvements were brought about through use of the Purist Audio Designs System Enhancer CD and the Gryphon Exorcist. I experimented with the various speaker cables I had on hand, and found the Dunlavy D-8 to provide the best overall match. Both the Purist Colossus II and TARA RSC interconnects worked well in the system, the Purist cable sounding a bit more mellow.
The CAT SL-1 Signature preamp was Stereophile's 1993 "Product of the Year," and I had no reason to believe that combining it with the KSA-100S would be in any way problematic, but I wanted to check out how the…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Sony XA-9000ES SACD/CD player, Bel Canto PL-1A universal player.
Preamplifier: Bel Canto Pre6.
Power Amplifiers: Bel Canto e.One REF1000 monoblock, Bel Canto e.One S300, Simaudio Moon Evolution W-8.
Loudspeakers: B&W 802D, B&W 804S, Pioneer S-1EX, JL Audio Fathom f113 subwoofer.
Cables: Digital: Stereovox HDVX. Interconnect: Crystal Cable Cinemax multichannel, AudioQuest Cheetah/DBS balanced. Speaker: AudioQuest Mont Blanc/DBS biwire. AC: JPS Aluminata.
Accessories: APC S-15, Environmental Potentials EP-2450 power…