Полочная акустика — Paradigm Electronics Premier 200B

The Premier 200B is one of two stand-mount speakers in the Premier range by Paradigm, the Canadian loudspeaker company founded in 1982. The series comprised six models - the 100B and 200B stand-mounts, the 500C and 600C centre channels and the 700F and 800F towers - all built at the Paradigm factory in Mississauga, Ontario. In the United States the 200B sold for USD 499 per speaker in 2019, and Paradigm now lists it as discontinued.

Key specs that matter

Paradigm built the 200B as a two-driver, two-way bass reflex speaker. A 1-inch (25 mm) X-PAL dome tweeter, damped and cooled by ferrofluid, works with a 6.5-inch (165 mm) mid/bass unit whose cone is carbon-infused polypropylene. The crossover is a second-order electro-acoustic type set at 2.0 kHz. On axis the response is 55 Hz to 25 kHz within 3 dB, and at 30 degrees off axis it holds 55 Hz to 20 kHz, with low-frequency extension given as 45 Hz under DIN measurement. In-room sensitivity reaches 90 dB, against 87 dB measured anechoic. Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, Paradigm suggests amplifiers of 15 to 130 W, and maximum input power is rated at 80 W. Height, width and depth are 33.5, 19.8 and 32.1 cm, and one speaker weighs 8.17 kg. Gloss black, gloss white and espresso grain were offered.

Engineering and use context

Each driver is fronted by its own Perforated Phase-Aligning (PPA) lens, a patented Paradigm part placed in front of the dome and the cone. The woofer uses Active Ridge Technology (ART), a patented surround shape that Paradigm credits with greater excursion, higher output and half the distortion of a conventional roll. Cabinets use heavy 19 mm MDF with interior bracing and reinforced front baffles, and the walls are tapered at angles to reduce internal reflections. A ducted port handles the reflex loading. The grille attaches magnetically, and binding posts accept banana plugs or bare wire. Paradigm developed the series using research carried out with Canada's National Research Council.

Pairing

The easy load and low minimum power recommendation mean modest integrated amplifiers can drive the 200B, while the maximum input rating is the limit to respect with larger power amplifiers. Stands are not included, so the speaker needs separate stands or a sturdy shelf, and the 500C or 600C centre and the Premier towers let it grow into a surround system.

Alternatives

The Paradigm Premier 100B is the lower-priced bookshelf model in the same Premier series and was priced below the 200B when the range reached the Australian market in August 2018.