Short answer: the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom, if you are buying new. The Boston Acoustics A25 ranks higher than it (#34 vs #50 of 90 bookshelf speakers, 3.6/5 vs 3.2/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom is still sold new at $399.98.
Buy the Paradigm Monitor SE Atom if you want one new; the Boston Acoustics A25 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Boston Acoustics A25 | Paradigm Monitor SE Atom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.98 per pair Discontinued | $399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #34 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers | #50 of 90 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Drivers | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer | 1” X-PAL aluminum dome tweeter (ferrofluid, PPA lens), 5.5” mineral-filled polypropylene mid/bass |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in | 12.75H x 7.125W x 11D in |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 61Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended | 15-100W recommended |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 | 4.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 | 6.50 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
Boston Acoustics A25: $299.98 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama is decent once you ignore a peak around 900Hz and a dip around 3kHz: directivity is good enough that the response can be EQed and won’t be too room-dependent. Cabinet fit and finish is well above its price class, and dynamics were strong with no distortion audible even at high volume on well-recorded material. Discontinued, but the reviewer suggests hunting for clearance pricing on remaining stock. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: A crazy port resonance and a tweeter with a steeper rolloff than the woofer both show up in the near-field driver measurements, creating the 900Hz peak and the crossover-region dip. The rear port itself measured audibly distorted up close, though it wasn’t noticeable from normal listening distance in the reviewer’s room. Discontinued.
Full Boston Acoustics A25 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.7H x 7.25W x 8.9D in |
| Drivers | 1” Kortec soft dome tweeter, 5.25” ceramic/glass-fiber polymer mid/woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal |
| Power Handling | 10-150W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.53 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.19 |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.58 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
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Paradigm Monitor SE Atom: $399.98 per pair Paradigm eBay
Pros: Good, consistent directivity across the on-axis, listening-window, and off-axis curves makes the Atom easier to equalize and less room-dependent than many budget speakers. Bass tuning is well judged, letting the woofer play loud on demanding tracks without bottoming out even without a subwoofer. Paradigm’s NRC research pedigree shows in the horizontal and vertical dispersion measurements. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: On-axis response is uneven out of the box, with a 2-4kHz dip followed by a peak and a resonance around 15kHz that the reviewer said gives it a bright, “showroom” voicing without EQ correction. There’s no meaningful bass extension for full-range use, so a subwoofer is effectively required for anything beyond desktop or near-field listening.
Full Paradigm Monitor SE Atom review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49.8Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.75H x 7.125W x 11D in |
| Drivers | 1” X-PAL aluminum dome tweeter (ferrofluid, PPA lens), 5.5” mineral-filled polypropylene mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 61Hz - 21kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 15-100W recommended |
| Sensitivity | 85dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.13 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.50 |
| Weight | 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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