Paradigm SUB 1 and SUB 2 subwoofers -- six drivers on three sides for buzz-free bass
By Steven Kim 
posted Oct 2nd 2009 1:16PM
posted Oct 2nd 2009 1:16PM
October 1, 2009 – Paradigm Electronics Inc., an international leader in speaker design and manufacturing, introduces the Reference Signature SUB 1 and SUB 2 as the flagship models in its growing line of high-performance, smart subwoofers. The SUB 1 and SUB 2 models are more powerful than any other Paradigm speaker to date; they are completely unique both in their internal elements and aesthetic qualities; and they represent the best in audio bass technology and highest performance characteristics in the subwoofer category.
The SUB 1 and SUB 2 cabinets offer virtually no shaking despite moving vast amounts of energy via the drivers and 3000W "Kilomax" amplifier platform which is capable of 4500W when connected to a 208V or 240V line. The SUB 1's six high-excursion, low-distortion 8-inch (10-inch for SUB 2) woofers are arranged in stacked pairs and geometrically aligned so the resultant force vectors, producing up to 7,500 watts of dynamic peak power, cancel each other out. Even a full glass of water placed atop the SUB 1 or SUB 2 will barely ripple. This radial alignment concept is successful because the pressure waves inside the cabinet generated by each driver as the cone and voice coil move in and out are effectively cancelled, leaving a silent and distortion-free cabinet.
Another benefit to the new models' woofer design is their compactness. In the SUB 2, six 10-inch drivers move as much air as a pair of 15-inch or a single 21-inch woofer in a smaller, more compact form factor. Handsome finishes and eye-catching but not overbearing design elements support the ability of these subwoofers to be hidden in plain sight. With the added flexibility conferred by Paradigm's Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) room correction, staggering performance is assured in just about any listening area.
Advanced scientific features such as AC line voltage detection, power consumption monitoring, and a universal power supply on the SUB 1 and SUB 2 ensure that the subwoofers are fed a diet of clean, unadulterated energy.
SPECIFICATIONS
Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 1
Design
Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2
Design
The SUB 1 has an estimated US FMV of $3,499 including PBK, and SUB 2 has an estimated US FMV of $7,499 including PBK. Both subwoofers will be shipping by the end of October 2009.
The SUB 1 and SUB 2 cabinets offer virtually no shaking despite moving vast amounts of energy via the drivers and 3000W "Kilomax" amplifier platform which is capable of 4500W when connected to a 208V or 240V line. The SUB 1's six high-excursion, low-distortion 8-inch (10-inch for SUB 2) woofers are arranged in stacked pairs and geometrically aligned so the resultant force vectors, producing up to 7,500 watts of dynamic peak power, cancel each other out. Even a full glass of water placed atop the SUB 1 or SUB 2 will barely ripple. This radial alignment concept is successful because the pressure waves inside the cabinet generated by each driver as the cone and voice coil move in and out are effectively cancelled, leaving a silent and distortion-free cabinet.
Another benefit to the new models' woofer design is their compactness. In the SUB 2, six 10-inch drivers move as much air as a pair of 15-inch or a single 21-inch woofer in a smaller, more compact form factor. Handsome finishes and eye-catching but not overbearing design elements support the ability of these subwoofers to be hidden in plain sight. With the added flexibility conferred by Paradigm's Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) room correction, staggering performance is assured in just about any listening area.
Advanced scientific features such as AC line voltage detection, power consumption monitoring, and a universal power supply on the SUB 1 and SUB 2 ensure that the subwoofers are fed a diet of clean, unadulterated energy.
SPECIFICATIONS
Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 1
Design
- Six high-excursion eight-inch drivers, patented built-in Ultra-Class-D™ power amplifier, USB port, sealed enclosure
- 3,400 watts Dynamic Peak/1,700 watts RMS Sustained
- Auto-On/Off, Trigger-On/Off, soft clipping, thermal protection, electrical shorting protection
- 38-mm (1.5-inch) four-layer voice coil, high-temperature composite former, 4.7-lb. (2.1 kg) ceramic/ferrite magnet / motor structure
- Oversize FEA-optimized Pleated LCS™ Linear Corrugated surround
- AVS™ die-cast heatsink chassis, 203-mm (eight-inch) RCR™ mineral-filled co-polymer polypropylene cone
Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2
Design
- Six high-excursion 10-inch drivers, USB port, patented built-in Ultra-Class-D™ power isolation amplifier with Power Factor Correction, sealed enclosure
- 120V - 50/60Hz (20amp dedicated circuit recommended): 7,500 watts Dynamic Peak/3,000 watts RMS Sustained
- 208V/240V - 50/60Hz (30amp dedicated circuit recommended): 9,000 watts Dynamic Peak /4,500 watts RMS Sustained
- Auto-On/Off, Trigger-On/Off, soft clipping, thermal protection, electrical shorting protection
- 76-mm (three-inch) 10-layer voice coil, high-temperature composite former, 12.6-lb. (5.7 kg) triple ceramic/ferrite magnet / motor structure
- Oversize FEA-optimized elliptical surround
- AVS™ die-cast heatsink chassis, 254-mm (10-inch) RCR™ mineral-filled co-polymer polypropylene cone, dual spiders
The SUB 1 has an estimated US FMV of $3,499 including PBK, and SUB 2 has an estimated US FMV of $7,499 including PBK. Both subwoofers will be shipping by the end of October 2009.
D1 - Dodecasub for Elemental Designs will kill these boutique speakers.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_119&products_id=607
I wouldn't consider Paradigm boutique speakers, but since you seem to always try to make the reference, I suppose there really is no point to try to argue it.
I think Paradigm speakers are an exceptional value for what you get. Sure they cost more, but it is hard to compete price wise with the factory direct model. I think it is great that we are seeing more and more factory direct companies, but for me, it is hard to purchase something in that price range with out playing with it first. They usually have a good return policy, but I just don't want to deal with it. Besides, at my HT shops, I usually can bring stuff home for a night or two to play with. That is the great think about these mom and pop shops.
It is also interesting to follow some of these factory direct companies, they seem to have a more ravenous cult like following than other brands.
Really can't fault Paradigm for putting out products that over perform for their given price ranges. I've owned a Monitor 7 Series for nearly a decade now, and I have never second guessed the purchase.
I have the predecessor to the Sub25, and these are *hardly* boutique speakers.
It may be that the Dodecasub is better for less money; I haven't heard it. But Paradigm makes great products, and while they are pricey, you do get absolutely great sound from their components.
-Pie
This is why I call Paradigm speakers "boutique".
Can you go to Paradigms website and order any speaker you want and have it sent to your home? Answer - NO.
Can you go to sites like NewEgg, B&H or TheHomeTheaterStore and purchase Paradigms? Answer - NO.
To buy Paradigms you have to go to "special" authorized dealer stores - no online purchases allowed.
And I have a funny feeling that when you go to these "special stores" you get sized up from the sales people the minute you walk-in. If you don't look like you canspend 3 grand per tower, you gonna get ignored. Or you get bombarded with "Can I help you" with an attitude. Which really means get out of my store you poor bastard..
Sounds like you have had a bad experience shopping at Audio/Video stores. Not every speaker sold in a store is a boutique speaker. Not every speaker sold directly to consumers online is a good deal. Paradigm is a good company. The reference signature series can cost a bit but they have speakers and subs in every price range if they are out of your range.
This isn't true at all. There is a local dealer here and I pop in from time to time to ask questions and hear the Hi-Fi speaker setups (usually paradigm). Even though I am a poor college student the guy there always answers my questions with a smile and lets me listen to the systems even with my own source material.
http://universityaudio.com/
Last time I was there, I got to hear the MartinLogan Summit X and they were amazing.
http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/summit_x.html
KEVON,
In the audio world, "boutique brand" is the vernacular given to some often esoteric pieces of equipment that look much better than they perform.
When I purchased Paradigm, I went straight to the top shelf of what they had to offer and at their highest price I got out the door, from the a store that also sells appliances, with the whole studio reference system for under $4400. That included for that period THE best commercially available subwoofer on the market. Online direct did not exist.
kevon, I've generally heard "boutique" as a derogatory term for overpriced, underperforming products, such as Bose or Krell. Bose being sold in "boutique" magazines.
Also, you can get Paradigms online, though it's still somewhat regional. B&H Photo had them a few months back. But "authorized dealers" are nothing new, and does not (the derogatory) "boutique speaker" make.
-Pie
Bass drivers on three sides seems like an odd arrangement to me. How does one keep the phase in line?
The Martin Logan Descent was the first to be a 3 sided sub. So this kind of design has been around.