Напольная акустика — Paradigm Electronics Premier 800F

The Premier 800F is the largest floorstander of Paradigm's Premier Series, which Paradigm manufactures entirely in Canada. It uses the same four-driver, three-way layout as the Premier 700F but with larger 165 mm drivers and a bigger cabinet, extending the bass and raising sensitivity. Its development benefits from Paradigm's research links with Canada's NRC.

Key specs that matter

It uses a 25 mm X-PAL aluminium dome tweeter, a 165 mm carbon-polypropylene mid driver and two 165 mm carbon-infused polypropylene woofers in a bass reflex cabinet. The second-order electro-acoustic crossover sits at 700 Hz and 2.5 kHz. Frequency response is 43 Hz to 25 kHz within 3 dB on axis, 43 Hz to 20 kHz at 30 degrees, and DIN extension is 27 Hz. It measures 92 dB in room and 89 dB anechoic into an 8 ohm compatible load. Suitable amplifier power is 15 to 250 W, with maximum input of 180 W. The speaker measures 1053 x 230 x 350 mm high, wide and deep, and weighs 24.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

Perforated Phase-Aligning lenses sit in front of the tweeter and midrange, smoothing and increasing output and protecting the drivers. The X-PAL tweeter is ferrofluid damped and cooled. Paradigm's patented Active Ridge Technology surrounds are overmoulded directly onto the woofer and midrange cones from injection-moulded thermoplastic elastomer, and Paradigm quotes a 3 dB gain in output and 50% less distortion from the greater excursion they allow. Compared with the 700F, the larger cones and lower 700 Hz crossover let the woofers hand over earlier to a midrange with more cone area. Braced 19 mm MDF forms the carcass, a thicker 25 mm baffle cuts edge diffraction, and angled walls break up internal reflections. Spike inserts use a standard 1/4-20 thread. Finish options are Espresso Grain MK 2 plus black and white gloss, and is covered by a five-year warranty. Paradigm listed it at USD 1,199.99 per speaker, and the model has since been discontinued. Premier 500SA modules placed on top add Atmos height channels, and the terminals accept bi-wire connection. A magnetic grille comes in the box together with a choice of feet or spikes. Pairs are sold as two units.

Pairing

Its efficiency makes the Premier 800F simple to drive from a modest receiver, while it also accepts powerful amplifiers. With its bass extension it fits rooms of 20 to 35 m2 and home theatre without a subwoofer.

Alternatives

Paradigm's Premier 700F uses 140 mm drivers in a slimmer cabinet.