It's apples and oranges. Two completely different systems. But to answer, the Paradigms just sound better. Much bigger soundstage. Better depth. To be fair to the Elacs, they are great sounding speakers if just a little on the bright side. Bass is decent for smaller drivers. Also being fair to the Elacs, they are pushed a little further back than the Paradigms so they are not in the best placement for listening to music. Elacs strictly theater, Paradigms music. The ARC gear drives the latter.
