Floorstanding loudspeakers — Paradigm Electronics Premier 700F

The Premier 700F is the mid-size tower of Paradigm's Premier Series, built in the company's own plant of about 20,900 m2 in Canada. The Premier Series brings technologies from Paradigm's higher lines to affordable models, and its voicing draws on Paradigm's joint research with Canada's National Research Council.

Key specs that matter

Four drivers share three bands in a ported box, a 25 mm X-PAL pure aluminium dome tweeter, a 140 mm carbon-infused polypropylene midrange and two 140 mm carbon-infused polypropylene woofers. The crossover is second-order electro-acoustic at 800 Hz and 2.5 kHz. Frequency response is 45 Hz to 25 kHz within 3 dB on axis, and 45 Hz to 20 kHz at 30 degrees off axis. DIN bass extension reaches 33 Hz. In-room sensitivity is 91 dB, anechoic 88 dB, and the load is rated 8 ohm compatible. Suitable amplifier power is 15 to 180 W, with maximum input of 130 W. The speaker measures 1012 x 212 x 321 mm in height, width and depth, at 21.88 kg each.

Engineering and use context

The tweeter and midrange sit behind Paradigm's Perforated Phase-Aligning lenses, which increase and smooth output while also protecting the drivers from damage. The tweeter is ferrofluid damped and cooled. The woofers and midrange use Paradigm's patented Active Ridge Technology surrounds, made in-house from injection-moulded thermoplastic elastomer and overmoulded directly onto the cones. Paradigm states they allow greater excursion, giving 3 dB more output and 50% lower distortion, and are more durable than conventional surrounds. Walls are 19 mm braced MDF with a 25 mm MDF baffle whose smooth face limits diffraction, while the tapered shape curbs internal back-wave reflections. The port fires to the rear. Two sets of 5-way terminals permit bi-wire or bi-amp connection. The magnetic cloth grille, rubber feet and metal spikes are supplied, and colour choices are black or white gloss and espresso grain. Adding Premier 500SA elevation modules makes the speaker compatible with Dolby Atmos. The warranty is five years. Spike inserts use a standard 1/4-20 thread. Paradigm offers the speaker individually, so pairs must be ordered as two units.

Pairing

The Premier 700F is efficient enough to work with AV receivers as well as modest stereo amplifiers. It suits rooms of 15 to 30 m2 in stereo or home theatre.

Alternatives

Paradigm's Premier 800F steps up to 165 mm drivers and 27 Hz extension.