Paradigm don't often release a new speaker (they don't have to), the only dud value for money speaker in their whole range though was the Phantom. It just didn't look or feel right for a $1200 speaker - it didn't even have removable grills. All that has changed with the release of the Mark III version. I don't even know what they've done to them, they just look, feel and sound heaps better than the old Mk II model (heaps better is a highly technical term) although I believe the old 19mm tweeter has been replaced by a 25mm unit.

    The power rating is 100 Watts with recommended amplifier power from 15 to 130 Watts. Sensitivity is 91dB with an impedance of 8 Ohms. The tweeter consists of a 25mm dome made of a ceramic / metallic composite and whilst not quite as open as the reference series is still clean and crisp with no signs of distress at high levels. The twin woofers are 165mm units made of "metallescent cones" (I think someone in their publicity department took poetic license with that one). The boxes are 920mm X 320mm X 200mm (H X D X W) and weigh in at a sturdy 15Kgs each. Finish is available in black ash or light cherry vinyl wrap.

    Testing these babies with a Yamaha RX-V1200 and a Panasonic DV-R61 DVD Player, Steely Dan's "Two against Nature" sounded - live - (which is just as well, since it is). This is as good a wrap as a speaker can get as the whole idea of HiFi is to reproduce the music as it sounded to the musicians. The drums were sharp and accurate with the bass on "Cousin Dupree" really thumping without the boominess usually associated with relatively inexpensive speakers. As regular readers know, my home system consists of Paradigm Reference Studio 40's with an M&K subwoofer so I have a soft spot for the brand. The Phantoms actually have a lower bass response than my 40's and in stereo mode would be fine as stand alone's.

    During testing with movies, we gave the Phantoms a good hiding with "Planet of The Apes" where the escape shuttle whooshes through the Time Warp. This is normally enough to shake any budget speaker to distress at high volumes, the Phantoms just cruised through and gave a dynamic, ear shattering account of themselves with no apparent distortion.

    Even Alex "The Ear" Ralph was impressed with these refined and improved units. In this era of ever improving product, I'd rate the Paradigm Phantoms as current top of the heap for any floorstanding speaker under $1500. The only thing that comes close would be the DB Dynamics Quantum 42's (RRP $1199) but they're not quite as warm on the male vocals. (Having said that, at our current discount of $799, the Quantum's offer excellent value for money).

    The last word? - For serious music listening at an affordable price - the Paradigms are a "must audition"

Since writing this review, the version 4 Phantoms have been released, same sound but better looking!