Siblings in Paradigm's CI Pro series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Paradigm CI Pro P80 IW v2 digs deeper - 55Hz against 70Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 92dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm CI Pro P65 IW v2 is easier to place; Paradigm CI Pro P80 IW v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Paradigm CI Pro P65 IW v2 is cheaper - $900 against $1,100, about 18% less. |
A Paradigm CI Pro P80 IW v2 B Paradigm CI Pro P65 IW v2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Paradigm CI Pro P80 IW v2 measures better, Paradigm CI Pro P65 IW v2 costs about about 22% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 70Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Paradigm CI Pro P65 IW v2 much easier to justify.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.