Paradigm Atom Monitor V.5 Speaker Reviewed

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

HTR Product Rating

Performance
4.5 Stars
Value
5 Stars
Overall
5 Stars

Disagree with our product rating? Email us and tell us why you think this product should receive a higher rating.

Page 1 | Page 2
Paradigm_Atom.gif

Ask any audio/video reviewer for a list of best bang-for-the-buck, under-$500 speakers and I am betting each and every one of them will have Paradigm's Atom speakers on it. Since its inception, the Atom Monitor has been a value-for-dollar juggernaut, packing insane levels of performance into a small, attractive cabinet that even a kid with a paper route could afford. Just how affordable are the Paradigm Atom Monitors? Try $250 for the pair.

The Atom Monitor is an attractive, compact speaker with a fit and finish that on its own defies its asking price. The Atom Monitor comes in a variety of finishes, including Wenge, Cherry, Rosenut, Black Ash and even White. The cabinet is solidly constructed and has a few design cues that class the Atom up nicely, making it a much more expensive-looking speaker.

Additional Resources

The Atom is a two-way speaker, featuring a one-inch H-PTD tweeter mated to a single five-and-a-half-inch bass/midrange driver. The bass/midrange driver is a bit unique-looking by traditional loudspeaker standards in that it bears a striking resemblance to a condom. Paradigm says the speakers are "ribbed for your aural pleasure," and I have to agree, for the driver produces magic throughout the midrange and upper bass frequencies. The Atom Monitor has a reported frequency response of 90Hz-20kHz, meaning a sub is all but required for full-range listening. The Atom isn't a pig for power, needing as little as 15 watts to come alive, due to its rather efficient 90dB sensitivity into an eight-ohm load.

Read about the high points and the low points of the Atom Monitor V.5 on Page 2.

Page 1 | Page 2

  • Comment on this article

With the death of the newspaper industry at hand, I'm pretty sure those kids with paper routes have been laid off. Maybe kids with ad sponsored blogs, these days.

Post a Comment

You are encouraged to post your comments using Facebook on HomeTheaterReview.com. Simply sign in to your Facebook account below and post away.

Featured Audio-Video News

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU

24-Tech: Ideas On How To Get Your Home Theater Working Like It's Installed At CTU -

24 was a great show that had some ridiculously impressive technology. So impressive, it defied the reality of the actual technology used. However, the ideas are great. Jerry Del Colliano thinks about how those ideas could be translated to home theaters.

Latest Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Episode 900 Series ES-HT900-LCR-6 Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Great things can come in small packages. The Episode 900 Series ES-HT900-LCR-6 bookshelf loudspeakers seems to be one of these things according to Andrew Robinson's findings.

Focal Diablo Utopia Speakers Reviewed -

Focal's Diablo Utopia bookshelf speakers combine beauty with performance. HomeTheaterReview.com publisher Jerry Del Colliano put the Diablo Utopia speakers through quite a few tests during the course of his review. Find out how they did.

Focal Bird 2.1 System Reviewed -

Andrew Robinson took Focal's new Bird 2.1 system under his wing for review. He ran the Bird system through a battery of different tests to find out how well these little speakers could perform in any situation that may be asked of them.

Home Theater Review's 2011 Best Of Awards -

For a third time, the editorial staff of Home Theater Review have examined the year's offerings in AV gear and decided what they deem to be the best in every category. Find out who is the best of the best.

Paradigm Mini Monitor v.7 Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Paradigm has updated the Mini Monitor bookshelf speaker again with the v.7. The appearance has been notable updated, but what about the performance? Andrew Robinson takes a listen to find out.

Clarity HD Model One High Definition Multi-Media Speaker Monitor Reviewed -

Monster has created the Clarity HD One multi-media speakers which have an iPod dock built right into the speaker. Brian Kahn takes a look at the speakers to see what else they have to offer.

Aether Audio Spirit-1SE Speakers Reviewed -

Aether Audio has created the second generation of the Spirit-1 bookshelf speaker and Home Theater Review contributor Terry London was able to go to Aether Audio's factory to take a look at the bookshelf speaker.

Audio Pro LV2 Wireless Full Active Digital Speakers Reviewed -

Audio Pro is new to the United States market and Sean Killebrew took a look at the LV2 speakers. He came away rather impressed by the amount of performance these speakers were able to deliver.

Bowers & Wilkins PM1 Bookshelf Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Andrew Robinson sat down to review the Bowers & Wilkins PM1 bookshelf speakers, with some high expectations. It would be safe to say that the PM1 not only met but exceeded these expectations.

Cambridge Audio Minx S325 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System Reviewed -

HTR reviewer, Tracy Rainwater, took the Cambridge Audio Minx S325 5.1 speaker system on and integrated it into his system to test out. Though the system may look diminutive in size, Tracy discovered the sound did not match the size.