Just how good are Paragons, really?

[AmericanPie]

I've noticed several have been popping up on Ebay lately, often looking for huge bucks. Their industrial design has always intrigued me and I assume they used JBL's (then) state of the art drivers but I've never been fortunate enough to actually hear one. Just wondering how these sound compared to, say, L300s or L250ti's, L7s, etc. :hmm:

[jcrobso]

BUT I will never forget the experience!:) I would love to hear one again, driven by a high quality SS amp.
The year was 1965 I walked in the big demo room at the old Allied Radio in Chicago, and they had a gotten a Paragon since the last time I was there. I spent over an hour listing to this amazing speaker. The sound stage created by this speaker is amazing, it is hard to describe. This was the first all horn speaker I listened to, maybe this I why I love horn speakers.:D There are speakers that will give more bass than a Paragon now days, but at the time vinyl LP's were the only thing to listen to and rarely did you get bass below 40hz on a LP.
Maybe others who have listened to one recently will chime in. John

[Mr. Widget]

Maybe others who have listened to one recently will chime in.This topic has been covered on several threads. There are a number of members who love the sound of the Paragon. I believe there are far more who think it is a remarkable achievement, a beautiful work of industrial design, and an important piece historically, but perhaps too dated a design to still be a considered a state of the art performer.

I certainly am in the second group. I love them, but if I had one, it would remain in the museum and not in the listening room.


Widget

[John]

This topic has been covered on several threads. There are a number of members who love the sound of the Paragon. I believe there are far more who think it is a remarkable achievement, a beautiful work of industrial design, and an important piece historically, but perhaps too dated a design to still be a considered a state of the art performer.

I certainly am in the second group. I love them, but if I had one, it would remain in the museum and not in the listening room.


Widget

Well said. :applaud:

[Hoerninger]

... it is a remarkable achievement, a beautiful work of industrial design, and an important piece historically, but perhaps too dated a design to still be a considered a state of the art performer. ...

Some more technical considerations:
1. The Paragon is a full horn speaker system. This delivers a very dynamic and "unrestricted" sound other systems hardly can offer.
2. The Paragon sound reflector spreads the sound comparable to the S2600 or S3100 which is unique in its perception.

There are design flaws from a modern point of view:
3. The crossover between the woofer and midrange is for some reasons wimpy.
4. The tweeter is not well integrated.
____________
Peter

[Mr. Widget]

There are design flaws from a modern point of view:
3. The crossover between the woofer and midrange is for some reasons wimpy.
4. The tweeter is not well integrated....and let's not forget the bass horns are simply too small. Unfortunately any significant increase in their size would simply ruin their aesthetic appeal.


Widget

[Maron Horonzakz]

Also they do not project an Image or sound stage... Only the midrange 375 reflects off the curved panel.

[mike]

One thing to keep in mind is that the vintage speaker gurus usually listen for different things than most modern audiophiles.

Mike

[Maron Horonzakz]

Your right there,,,Like the American Idle screamers.

[Mr. Widget]

One thing to keep in mind is that the vintage speaker gurus usually listen for different things than most modern audiophiles.Excellent point, however there are plenty of JBLs that will give you the "vintage sound" and reproduce music with far more accuracy and satisfy some of the modern listeners too. The Paragon's contemporary, the Hartsfield is also fully horn loaded and falls into this catagory as do all of the older JBL Studio Monitors.


Widget

[Titanium Dome]

Not that good.

They do, however, exude a sense of craftsmanship and design that begs to be admired. This is a case in which the level of artistry and modeling exceeds the actual quality of performance. Put another way, form outclasses function.

[Oldmics]

Lets just say-they sound as good as they look ;)

Oldmics

[Maron Horonzakz]

HHHMMMMM,,, Looks like a pro cinema version,,, How many sweat rings marking up the top of that cabinet?

[57BELAIRE]

Very cool, Oldmics (aptly named)...is that the industrial version
that was on eBay a few years ago? I've only seen one(that one) and they are perhaps the rarest of them all.

[Oldmics]

It is the same one that was on eBay a few years ago.

I stumbled across it from the guy who purchased it in that eBay auction.
The eBay auction for this unit appeared to be sketchy at best from both the buyer and seller feedback ratings standpoints.

Of all of the other JBL collectors that I know worldwide-its the only known industrial variant unit in existance at this time. :p

Certainly not the prettyest Paragon that I have owned,but it really is the best sounding one that I have auditioned.

Oldmics (and now you know why :bouncy:)

[Mr. Widget]

Certainly not the prettyest Paragon that I have owned,but it really is the best sounding one that I have auditioned.

Oldmics (and now you know why :bouncy:)Because of the black paint?


Widget

[Titanium Dome]

Because of the black paint?


Widget

It gives it a much darker, more compelling tone.

[57BELAIRE]

Oldmics, I'm curious as to the driver compliment in your Paragon
and are there any serial numbers or badges?

The industrial variants interest me the most because of their
original applications...I mean, it could be concluded that the
"standard" Paragon was intended for home listening while the
"utility" version could have been used for pro applications (movie
houses, night clubs, etc.) and ordered specifically for that
purpose. :applaud:

[Oldmics]

Standard driver compliment,usual 150-4C,375,and 075.

Cut corner decal sporting serial #264.

I understand what you are suggesting but my thoughts are that in the era of manufacturing of these units and componets,there really was no specifically designated "pro" equipment.

All of the hardware was built good enough for what later became pro.

Oldmics

[57BELAIRE]

"woefully inept but glorious to behold"

JBL Paragon circa 1959

[Maron Horonzakz]

HHMMMMM !!! Steinway or Baldwin ??????

[57BELAIRE]

HHMMMMM !!! Steinway or Baldwin ??????

:applaud:

[Akira]

Lets just say-they sound as good as they look ;)

Oldmics
Love your old mics, Oldmics.
I too am a collector but, I only go back to 1968--Neuman KM84...still one of my favs.

[jtsamarinda]

Just saw this tread.
I own the JBL Paragon and the JBL Hartsfield.
To say how good are the Paragon. It all depends. Owners over the years have sent these drivers for repairs or replacement of voice coil etc. When they get it back it maybe repaired properly and hook up correctly in it's proper phase.
I had this experiance just recently on mine. I bought mine some years back in 2002. As I was interested in them and had a high regards for them as the speakers were most sought after by the Japs and other Asian collectors. When I first listen to them in Japan a clone with original drivers it sounded bad on a 300B amp. And I just did not understand why they were great speakers.
Anyway when I bought mind it too was disappointing. And I checked the drawing in the manual if all driver were wired correctly. They were according to the manual.
A few months ago my left side tweeter was not working and I though I blew the tweeter(075). And I discovered that the 0.15 mfd was opeded. So I decided to replace them and all the capacitors in the crossover left and right units.
I did not know what spark me on the subject of Phase meter that I decided to get one from the maker from Denmark.
And I checked all the drivers and found to my dismay the mid freq drive 375 had their terminals wrong Black was Red and Red was Black. The woofer were ok as I had checked them with a 1.5 volt battery and the cone moved the correct way. But the tweeter and mid drivers there was no way I could check them as I had to break the drivers a part to see the movement.
So when all said and done the JBL Paragon was now hooked up properly and sound very nice and I think it is one of the best sounding speakers around.
I even brought the Phase meter to the Japanese hi fi shop Hino, and them guys were very surprise with the changes.
Thanks for reading.
Joseph Lazaroo
Singapore.

[Charley Rummel]

Hi, Folks:

Anyone have any remarks on the Paragon as a center channel in a 5.1 surround system?

How about with Hartsfields for front left and right?

Just had to ask-

Regards,
Charley Rummel

BTW I've been away from the forum for a while dealing with personal issues- I hope to get back into the forum more...

[Horn Savant]

Never heard 'em either. Used to have some JBL SOVEREIGN's (similar drivers)(pix) which sounded very smooth, luxuriant , neutral on all types of music including classical. This despite low crossover (500hz) to small horn/lens in my picture (Paragon MR horn was a bit larger). I suspect crossovers (there were two) were engineered to flatten response of drivers (given JBL's studio monitor history) which gave then a very good sounding result. With passive radiator, Sovereign had deeper bass but Paragon horn bass might have been faster and better integrated.

[Mr. Widget]

BTW I've been away from the forum for a while dealing with personal issues- I hope to get back into the forum more...Good to see you back!

A friend was using a Paragon as his left and right speakers with phantom center... it sounded OK... that's a pretty expensive system to use for OK sound. If you have a Paragon and want to use it, go for it. If you are looking for a center channel, you can get much more for far less.


Widget

[Mr. Widget]

I own the JBL Paragon and the JBL Hartsfield.
To say how good are the Paragon. It all depends. Owners over the years have sent these drivers for repairs or replacement of voice coil etc. When they get it back it maybe repaired properly and hook up correctly in it's proper phase. Very important observation for all of these vintage speakers... also true about vintage electronics. I have run across so many that were so far out of spec, that it is amazing anyone could stand to listen to them.



So when all said and done the JBL Paragon was now hooked up properly and sound very nice and I think it is one of the best sounding speakers around.My opinion is certainly no more valid than yours... but as much as I love the Paragon, it is far, far from one of the best sounding speakers I have ever heard. But, that is only my opinion. :) There really is no right or wrong answer. I can give you a laundry list of objective reasons why the Paragon is less than ideal, but every speaker at every price point can be torn apart analytically.



Widget

[Maron Horonzakz]

You hav,nt heard a paragon till you replaced all drivers with TAD 4001 and 703 HF units.. Awsome...Or useing the Brush Wellman diaphrams in the 375 (upcoming diaphrams)

[hjames]

You hav,nt heard a paragon till you replaced all drivers with TAD 4001 and 703 HF units.. Awsome...Or useing the Brush Wellman diaphrams in the 375 (upcoming diaphrams)

Well then, it wouldn't be a paragon anymore, now would it?
It would be some kind of hacked system, perhaps better, but not as God and JBL intended it ...:applaud:

[Maron Horonzakz]

You got me right through the heart,,,, BUT even JBL recommends a variant on the woofers,,, From 150-4 to Le15 and now 136,, on Mid driver from 375 to 376

[BMWCCA]

You can improve a Rolls-Royce by putting a BMW engine in it, but is it still a Rolls-Royce? :dont-know

Many enjoy a Model-T for what it is. Some think a '50s Corvette is the bee's knees. We all know a current Subaru can run circles around either. I'm impressed by the Paragon for the beauty and timelessness of its design and the progressive thinking it exhibited at the time of manufacture. If minor mods can improve it, that must make it even more enjoyable. If the mods get carried away, I suppose I'd draw the line before that happened.

But I'm pretty confident Maron has all the original stuff to put the Paragon back the way JBL built it, if any subsequent owners feel compelled to do so. That choice, as always, belongs to the owner. :D

[Maron Horonzakz]

Yes I have the origional drivers.. But enjoy upgrading to see what can be pushed to even better sonics,,But alas i always revert back...

[4313B]

I've noticed several have been popping up on Ebay lately, often looking for huge bucks. Their industrial design has always intrigued me and I assume they used JBL's (then) state of the art drivers but I've never been fortunate enough to actually hear one. Just wondering how these sound compared to, say, L300s or L250ti's, L7s, etc. :hmm:The Paragon was a very nice console system of that era. It doesn't really compare to the conventional JBL loudspeaker systems. Think of it as fine furniture with audio capabilities.

[jtsamarinda]

Very important observation for all of these vintage speakers... also true about vintage electronics. I have run across so many that were so far out of spec, that it is amazing anyone could stand to listen to them.

My opinion is certainly no more valid than yours... but as much as I love the Paragon, it is far, far from one of the best sounding speakers I have ever heard. But, that is only my opinion. :) There really is no right or wrong answer. I can give you a laundry list of objective reasons why the Paragon is less than ideal, but every speaker at every price point can be torn apart analytically.



Widget

Mr. Widget,

Just curious would like to have your laundry list of Do's and Don'ts.
Might help out on improvements. Not only the JBL Paragon but also the Hartsfield.
Your thought's please.
Thank You.

Joe Lazaroo

[yggdrasil]

If you want to improve either the Paragon or Hartsfield, you could do one or more of the following:

Design new crossovers with necessary response shaping.
Charge-couple the crossovers if you continue to run passive.
active crossover, 2-way or 3-way.
Add bypass capacitors if you decide to stick with the stock crossovers.
One key point that might have been missed here is that the stock Paragon needs quite a bit of EQ, and it is normally a struggle to make it sound good.

[Mr. Widget]

Mr. Widget,

Just curious would like to have your laundry list of Do's and Don'ts.
Might help out on improvements. Not only the JBL Paragon but also the Hartsfield.
Your thought's please.
Thank You.

Joe Lazaroo

This has all been discussed here before, but some of the issues with the design are:

The bass horn is too small. It increases the sensitivity of the woofer in the upper bass but has little effect on the lower frequencies so you end up with a large response bump and very little low bass.

The midrange horn is also too small... it is best above 1KHz. Using it down to 500Hz creates a drop off in the lower midrange response.

The 075 being set back deep in the enclosure doesn't aim it properly onto the curved reflector.

Then there are the more nuanced issues of phase and time. The system's poor directivity response. The poorly braced panels that are easily excited. ...and Johnny's comments on the crossovers are also all correct.


That would be the short list. :) All perfectly objective and contributing to the system's overall sound. Even so, there are those who still quite love the sound these things create and there is nothing wrong with that.


Widget

[jtsamarinda]

Mr. Widget.
Thanks for your feed back and Johnny.
I guess there is no real prefect speakers depend on each to it's own.
And how would like to tune it up.

Joe.

[jblsound]

Hi, Folks:

Anyone have any remarks on the Paragon as a center channel in a 5.1 surround system?

How about with Hartsfields for front left and right?

Just had to ask-

Regards,
Charley Rummel

BTW I've been away from the forum for a while dealing with personal issues- I hope to get back into the forum more...

Nine years ago my son and I did hear a Paragon as a center, with a pair of Hartsfields in the corners.
That was at Hal Cox's place, when he still lived in Mill Valley. Those three speakers together were quite impressive.

[jtsamarinda]

If you want to improve either the Paragon or Hartsfield, you could do one or more of the following:

Design new crossovers with necessary response shaping.
Charge-couple the crossovers if you continue to run passive.
active crossover, 2-way or 3-way.
Add bypass capacitors if you decide to stick with the stock crossovers.
One key point that might have been missed here is that the stock Paragon needs quite a bit of EQ, and it is normally a struggle to make it sound good.


Hi! Johnny,

Have you or other members in this forum could recommend me the person or company who could do the modification up grade for the JBL Paragon or Hartsfield.

[yggdrasil]

Any electronic repair workshop can add bypass capacitors. I'm not updated on which bypass capacitors would be best suited. But there will be other members filling in that information for you if you should choose this route.

Designing new crossovers will require a Paragon to work on. My guess is that this option is difficult/impossible to go through with.

Charge-coupling is reasonably straight forward for stock crossovers. However this will not address any of the response anomalies. I can think of a few members that can make this happen.

Active 3-way crossover is the option you can do yourself. I would look for something like a Deqx or equivalent. A digital crossover with eq and abilities for time alignment. The passive components will be gone, but you will need 2 extra amp's. The gained experience can later be used to specify a passive crossover.

My recommendation to you would be the 3-way active route.

[Horn Savant]

My recommendation to you would be the 3-way active route.

Not wise IMO. Why pay $15k for a rare icon and then "Soup it up"?
These great flagship all-horn speakers from the 1950's (Paragon Patrician Hartsfield Klipschorn)
should be enjoyed for what they are: Ambitious - tho naive & flawed - attemps to bring
the experience of big cinema horn sound into the living room.

Tri-amping would also increase the risk of HF driver damage

[jtsamarinda]

Not wise IMO. Why pay $15k for a rare icon and then "Soup it up"?
These great flagship all-horn speakers from the 1950's (Paragon Patrician Hartsfield Klipschorn)
should be enjoyed for what they are: Ambitious - tho naive & flawed - attemps to bring
the experience of big cinema horn sound into the living room.

Tri-amping would also increase the risk of HF driver damage

Thanks for the advise,
I would like to leave my JBL Paragon and Hartsfield in stock condition.
Maybe outside of the box I would not mind playing around.
The mods I was thinking would be more on the passive network e.g inprovement on the components.
But there again need to have some spare crossOver LX5 and N7000, if I do want to let the speakers go it will be in stock condition when I sell it. After all that's were the value is to collectors.

[Maron Horonzakz]

Nothing wrong in modifying and thinking out of the boxs (so to speak) Ive bi amp,d the Paragon and time aligned to see what could be done with the ol lady,,, Tried many new drivers,,With the TAD 4001 wide bandwidth you can disconnect the 075,, I,m not afraid to see how far i can go in modification,, Like maybe a Array verticle type horn and driver splayed across the curved panel,,, Or a wide bandwith 476 driver, for the HF...As long as i keep the origional speakers and xovers ,,no harm is done. The cabinet is a beautiful work of form follows function art.. The only thing now that looks better is the Everest II...But the price eludes me (for now)

[Mr. Widget]

I would like to leave my JBL Paragon and Hartsfield in stock condition.I think Johnny's suggestion to try DEQX or something like it is a very good one. Essentially no modification would be necessary (other than disconnecting the jumpers from the four networks.) and it would yield the greatest improvement possible while maintaining the original look.

Using DEQX isn't simple, but with care, you could make significant improvements to the sound and even make adjustments to taste if you wanted.

DEQX would allow correcting the time and phase alignment. group delay, and frequency response. You could also use a very steep phase linear crossover slope between the 375 and woofer which would help the 375 on that small horn.


Widget

[Titanium Dome]

This is a typical and nearly fruitless endeavor. Take a classic, iconic unit and improve it without changing it or ruining its marketability. These old units are what they are. Improving them requires changing them. Changing them makes them something other than what they are.

I don't mind if an owner does whatever he/she wants with old speakers. Just realize that once someone starts mucking around, they're not the same speaker, and if you don't want the same speaker, then why get it in the first place?

So you can improve it but not change it? Seems like a contradiction to me.

[Mr. Widget]

So you can improve it but not change it? Seems like a contradiction to me.Using DEQX is some what like having Chris Neuman come out and calibrate your SAM system. I think you would agree the difference the calibration makes is night and day. The power of DSPs shouldn't be over looked... obviously there is the knowledgeable professional using the tools, but with a little help, and careful perseverance almost anyone can at least get close.


Widget

[toddalin]

This is a typical and nearly fruitless endeavor. Take a classic, iconic unit and improve it without changing it or ruining its marketability. These old units are what they are. Improving them requires changing them. Changing them makes them something other than what they are.

I don't mind if an owner does whatever he/she wants with old speakers. Just realize that once someone starts mucking around, they're not the same speaker, and if you don't want the same speaker, then why get it in the first place?

So you can improve it but not change it? Seems like a contradiction to me.


Why buy a new car and add power enhancers, modded suspension, etc.?

Sometimes people want a little more out of something that was intended for the masses. Put a new cam in a Corvette for more power and it is still a Corvette.

There is a place in the world for modifications that can enhance something while rendering it basically the same.

[badman]

Why buy a new car and add power enhancers, modded suspension, etc.?

Sometimes people want a little more out of something that was intended for the masses. Put a new cam in a Corvette for more power and it is still a Corvette.

There is a place in the world for modifications that can enhance something while rendering it basically the same.

I agree. I'm all for modification, the pedestal of history is a rubbleheap. I wouldn't use a paragon for my own listening (from what I'm guessing about its sound, and what I consider to be major design flaws), but DEQX or other digital crossover work could go a long way to solving some of the gross problems, and I can certainly see the visual appeal, and wanting to keep it as the speaker (s) for that reason but still get decent sound is a perfectly legitimate goal.

[AmericanPie]

....Sometimes people want a little more out of something that was intended for the masses. Put a new cam in a Corvette for more power and it is still a Corvette.

There is a place in the world for modifications that can enhance something while rendering it basically the same.

I think it's appropriate you put this in the perspective of cars since after all, whether we're talking vintage stereo equipment or automobiles, it's all "stuff".

A comparable case in automobilia would be now-classic BMWs and Ferraris from the early 1980s. They originally came equipped with metric-sized tires which are now extremely outdated, hard-to-find, and very expensive. Most owners of these cars (myself included) are switching over to modern tire technology in the standard 16" and 17" sizes for better performance. Another example: many guys with 1950s and 1960s Corvettes have long ago dumped their ancient bias-ply tires for modern and far safer radial tires; doing so has probably saved more than a few from serious accidents. Plus, making a few inconspicuous changes under the hood of any old car can drastically ramp up the "fun factor" while maintaining the classic look most of us can appreciate.

However, at some point we DO have to accept old things for what they are; a modern V6 Honda Accord will give an old BMW M6 a good run for its money and will blow a Ferrari 308 into the weeds at anything under 100 mph. A Civic will easily outhandle an old 427 Vette. Either way, whether we're discussing speakers or cars, it's futile to try and keep up with time by continually throwing money into our things. I guess the best we can do is improve them as best we can (to the point of reason) and then stand back and let them age gracefully.

[jtsamarinda]

I think Johnny's suggestion to try DEQX or something like it is a very good one. Essentially no modification would be necessary (other than disconnecting the jumpers from the four networks.) and it would yield the greatest improvement possible while maintaining the original look.

Using DEQX isn't simple, but with care, you could make significant improvements to the sound and even make adjustments to taste if you wanted.

DEQX would allow correcting the time and phase alignment. group delay, and frequency response. You could also use a very steep phase linear crossover slope between the 375 and woofer which would help the 375 on that small horn.


Widget


Speaking of phase alignment does anyone knows what the correct phase was done on the original JBL Paragon.

075 where they out of phase?.
375 where they in phase or out of phase?
And I guess the Woofer LE15A was in phase.


Any one who has worked on the Paragon.

Joe Lazaro

[Tom Brennan]

So you can improve it but not change it? Seems like a contradiction to me.

Well Ti I'd value a Paragon as much as a piece of furniture as a speaker. So if I could improve the sound while leaving the look unchanged it would be a good thing. And I wouldn't care about collectibility value; if I bought a Paragon I'd probably use it until I was dead anyway. :)

[Titanium Dome]

No doubt it can be improved; in fact, it would have to be improved to be listenable to me. The DEQX approach is useful if you have parts that are adequate to respond to the calibration.

Like I wrote, do anything you want to your own gear. I don't waste my time. Either I buy it and listen to it for what it is, or I buy the best I can get of the latest and greatest.

[Maron Horonzakz]

So who now is going to make the first modification to the Everest II ????

[Oldmics]

Speaking of phase alignment does anyone knows what the correct phase was done on the original JBL Paragon.

075 where they out of phase?.
375 where they in phase or out of phase?
And I guess the Woofer LE15A was in phase.


Any one who has worked on the Paragon.

Joe Lazaro

The 3 drivers are of the same polarity when energised thru the crossovers.

All bets are off for any real phase measurements. :banghead:

Oldmics

[Old curmudgeon]

I love them, but if I had one, it would remain in the museum and not in the listening room.


Widget


My listening room has often been mistaken for a museum.

[jtsamarinda]

The 3 drivers are of the same polarity when energised thru the crossovers.

All bets are off for any real phase measurements. :banghead:

Oldmics

Thanks Oldmics,

I've noticed that there is a photo of the JBL Paragon and the Hartsfield are they your setup?
When 3 driver of the same polarity would that be all in Phase thru the crossover?.

Thank You.

Joe

[rpstephen]

I can offer my views of the paragon as an owner of both the paragon and 4430s. When I first bought a new paragon in the mid 70s, I was not overly impressed with its performance until a friend brought over his stereo equipment to try it out. What a huge improvement! I find the sound of the paragon is highly equipment dependent. My midlevel electronics just didn't do it justice. On the other hand my 4430s sound decent with a sony AV reciever which sounds very blah on the paragon.

In terms of comparison, the 4430s are more neutral, have more extended bass, and better transient response. I prefer the paragon for operas, choral works, and large scale orchestral works. Well recorded jazz also sounds great. The paragon throws an impressive wide scale soundstage for these works and imparts a "weight" to the music with no sense of strain. Louie armstrong's horn to me sounds much better on the paragon than the 4430s. Most pop/rock music sounds better on the 4430s unless recorded with a "natural" stereo perspective (not multilayered).

The bass on the paragon can be improved using the 2234 drivers (Deeper more solid no wooliness). Unfortunately the sound stage lost depth with this modification. Redesign of the crossovers is needed due to impedence
differences between the LE-15a & 2234. The crossovers could also stand freshening with by-pass capcitors etc. If my "barge" should ever come in, I would commission a new crossover design. Of course, everything would be reversible back to the original state.

My amp & preamp are Atma-Sphere OTL tube units and are a match made in heaven for the paragon. Unfortunately, the paragon is in storage, as I have not enough room in my condo on Pensacola beach. I suppose, I need to sell the paragon.:)

[4313B]

JBL
Northridge, CA
2006

[JBLRaiser]

I've noticed several have been popping up on Ebay lately, often looking for huge bucks. Their industrial design has always intrigued me and I assume they used JBL's (then) state of the art drivers but I've never been fortunate enough to actually hear one. Just wondering how these sound compared to, say, L300s or L250ti's, L7s, etc. :hmm:

Adding this and adding that to 'improve' the performance of a Paragon seems blasphemous. As we all know, speakers have their own signature sound. And that's what makes their performance unique. JBL's sound different from one another as well as from other manufacturers. Along with that goes the design of the enclosure- and yes, we like them for their looks, too.
Enter Paragon, a unique design from a bygone era and showcasing the best JBL had to offer. 250ti's it's not. But, it's also not an L100, built by the millions and begging for a sock stuffed in the port to tame the BB.
But, neither is the Bugatti Type 57S Atalante a Bugatti EB110, although it will bring a much higher price. Both are classics in their own rite, yet the latter specs out better and the former would never be 'upgraded' for the sake of performance.
The OP wanted comparison's and without hearing them, I can unequivocally say they are all different and the newer the TOTL design, the more detail, frequency response, imaging, accuracy and power handling you will have(but, not necessarily in one package:D). So, yes they are not as advanced in the 'sound variables' as later offerings, but they are still a pleasing and enjoyable sound producer or so I've heard.:blah: For those owning one, find some vintage tube amps, get it in spec and enjoy the music.:applaud: