Paradigm ships its Special Edition speakers

The winning record Paradigm's Special Edition (SE) series of speakers racked up in blind testing piqued our interest, but now it's time for John Q. Public to take the taste test. If the promise of Studio-like sonics at Monitor-ish price points holds, the SE series should help Paradigm add customers to its ranks, that's for sure. If you're chasing after a matched surround setup, it's simple -- pick between bookshelf (SE 1, $299 each) or floorstander (SE 3, $699 each) left/right channels, and then add in an SE center ($499), SE subwoofer ($699), and additional SE 1s as surrounds to your heart's content. As you'd expect from Paradigm, there's some emphasis on high-efficiency -- so you can bet that these will sing well together, even with a smaller amp. Judging from the press photo, the cabinets are a little boxy, but the glossy finish (in slimming black, no less) and radiused edges should help you sneak these into your setup. Full press release after the break.

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October 27, 2009 – Paradigm Electronics Inc., an international leader in speaker design and manufacturing, announces it is now shipping the Special Edition (SE) Series, a limited and unique addition to the Paradigm® collection. Combining elements from the affordable audiophile-quality Paradigm line and higher-end Paradigm Reference line, the SE series speakers brings a new generation of affordable elegance to the company's vast offerings. The SE series features the SE1, a bookshelf speaker, the SE3, a floorstanding model and the SE Center and SE Subwoofer, all outfitted with stylish real wood veneer cabinets. Paradigm Special Edition (SE) speakers, with soft edges, clean lines, state-of-the-art technology, compact dimensions and real wood veneer cabinets are a stepping stone to the world of high-end audio for budget conscious consumers.

Like the award-winning and ever popular Monitor Series, the SE line will boast Paradigm's SuperDrive™ technology, which combines very high efficiency with very high output and ultra-low distortion. This results in top-level performance from the Special Edition line regardless of amplification. The drivers represent a best of breed hybrid mix that includes high frequency drivers from the Paradigm Monitor Series and mineral-filled polypropylene bass/midrange drivers handed down right from the Paradigm Reference Studio Series. Both the SE 1 bookshelf and SE 3 floorstanding boast the benefits of an aluminum midrange including remarkable clarity, superb extended bass response and elimination of unwanted resonance and distortion.

Aesthetically speaking, the Paradigm SE series presents a system with clean lines, soft edges and general design characteristics seamlessly integrated into the home décor. With a reasonable footprint, this collection provides real wood veneer finishes for customers seeking sophisticated appearance at a competitive price.

SPECIFICATIONS

SE 1 Bookshelf

• Two-driver 2-way bookshelf/stand-mounted:
• 5-1/2˝ M-ICP™ mid/bass, 1˝ H-PTD™ dome
• Estimated $299 MSRP

SE 3 Floorstanding

• Four-driver 2-1/2-way floorstanding:
• Two 5-1/2˝ carbon-infused polypropylene bass,
• 5-1/2˝ M-ICP™ mid/bass,1˝ H-PTD™ dome
• Estimated $699 MSRP

SE Center

• Four-driver 3-way center channel
• Two 5-1/2˝ carbon-infused polypropylene bass,
• 3-1/2˝ M-ICP™ midrange, 1˝ H-PTD™ dome
• Estimated $499 MSRP

SE Subwoofer

• Bass Reflex Single Driver Design
• 10 Driver with CAP™ Carbon / Aramid Fiber Polypropylene Cone
• 900 watts Dynamic Peak / 300 watts RMS Sustained
• Paradigm's Proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Design
• Comprehensive Range of Input and Control Facilities
• USB Port for use with the critically acclaimed Paradigm Perfect Bass Kit (PBK™) Room Correction System
• Estimated $699 MSRP

Paradigm's Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) is available as an upgrade and sold separately.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2009 12:40AM]

sooo hot want to touch the hiney!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2009 11:00PM]

Nice, but I think many people will have issues fitting that center channel into their system (though I know it is big for a good reason).

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2009 2:01AM]

Beautiful looking for sure. They have a really nice look to them. They seem both glassy/sophisticated even if they are mid-level home theatre speakers, they seem like better quality and more expensive.

[MrMichael Posted Nov 1st 2009 12:47PM]

Yeah ok, looks great, great price, yadda yadda yadda.

Oh wait can you still only buy them in stores? And there are very few stores that sell paradigm.

Start allowing internet sales and I'll start paying attention.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 2nd 2009 12:57PM]

I'm not sure what the reasoning behind this is, but a lot of higher end speaker companies also do this as well. Luckily the store a block away from me sell them and I was able to test them out against others and I walked out pretty happy, and I still have them.

[EatingPie Posted Nov 1st 2009 6:03PM]

Michael, I doubt you'll *ever* be paying attention -- except to rag on Paradigm more.

B&H Photo sells them online. There's another site that sells previous models -- still brand new in box -- online. But you aren't paying attention!

I have never bought speakers online. The shipping is absolutely astronomical, especially given the weight and size. Same goes with TVs. There are truly some things better bought in-store. And if you care about sound, you definitely want to hear the speakers prior to making a purchase.

Sure, Best Buy doesn't carry the high end of Paradigm... but ANY SPEAKER that matches Parardigm in quality can't be found at Best Buy either.

-Pie

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2009 7:27PM]

I am beginning to think that Michael lives in some back water country in the middle of no where.

[thedankone Posted Nov 2nd 2009 11:01PM]

I hate watching ignorant people talking to each other about subjects they have no knowledge about.

1) Paradigm only allows online sales for there overstocked and lowly cinema series package.

2) Who would spend big cash on something they can't audition first. This is even more an issue for speaker sales as speaker taste are highly subjective.

3) Micheal go get a mp3 player...I'm sure thats the only form your music is in anyway.

[Canadian Bacon Posted Nov 2nd 2009 9:41AM]

I wonder why they don't have any matching surrounds.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 2nd 2009 12:58PM]

The SE 1 are the matching surrounds.

[bellevegasj Posted Nov 2nd 2009 7:31PM]

I can't wait to see some reviews. I'm interested in getting a set of surround sound speakers soon.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 4th 2009 10:40PM]

Only has come across your blog. I will continue to study it. The information considerable quantity was pleasant