Paradigm Ref Sig Sub 2: 95db at 10hz!

[Intamin]

Get a load of this bad boy...



"Main designers: A legion of acoustical and electrical engineers.

Product profiled: Reference Signature Sub 2 subwoofer ($7499 USD)

Excerpts from my upcoming SoundStage! review of the Sub 2 (to be published October 1):

"The Sub 2’s hexagonal sealed cabinet measures 24 1/3"H x 22 7/8"W x 21 1/8"D and weighs 289 pounds. It has six high-excursion 10" drivers, in identical vertical arrays of two each on three of the sides. These are driven by Paradigm’s Ultra-Class-D power amplifier, which delivers a claimed 7500W dynamic peak or 3000W sustained RMS when fed by a 120V line. With a 240V/30A line, the Sub 2’s power output, according to Paradigm, can increase to 9000W (!) dynamic peak or 4500W sustained. The sheer motor capability of six subwoofer drivers backed by this much power is enough to propel a Hummer H2. (OK, maybe not quite.)

"Now there’s no question that almost all manufacturers play the game of specsmanship, especially those that make loudspeakers. Paradigm’s numbers for the Sub 2 are downright mind-boggling, though I can’t claim to have tested their validity. Still, Paradigm doesn’t typically embellish its specs much. Given that, consider this: The Sub 2’s low-bass extension is claimed as 9Hz, with output capabilities of 95dB at 10Hz, 104dB at 20Hz, and 118dB at 60Hz. Remind me to never listen to 60Hz at 118dB!"


Paradigm’s acoustic R&D manager, Paul Maclean, holding the Sub 2’s 3000W amplifier module.

Paradigm’s vision for the Sub 2: The best subwoofer Paradigm has ever made. The design brief was for a single subwoofer that could keep up with a surround system comprising five of the company’s Reference Signature S8 loudspeakers. Paradigm also stated that they wanted to produce a better subwoofer than JL Audio’s Gotham g213 ($12,000), but in a smaller package and at a lower price.

According to Paradigm, the Sub 2 is best suited to: The Sub 2 is able to fill very large spaces with ease. Because its six drivers can actually handle far more power than its onboard amplifier can produce, this means, according to Paradigm, that it is always playing with very low distortion: the "Sub 2 can play wide open all day long."


Paul with one of the Sub 2’s 10" bass drivers. Each Sub 2 contains six of these beasts!

Sub 2 quick facts:

Theoretically, the Sub 2 could handle two of the 3000W amplifiers that Paradigm has developed for it.
Paradigm states that the Sub 2’s output integrates quite easily with those of small satellite speakers.
Each Sub 2 driver has a ten-layer voice-coil.
Paradigm’s Perfect Bass Kit (PBK) comes standard with the Sub 2.
At 289 pounds, the Sub 2 is the heaviest product Paradigm has ever made."

Info found here: http://www.ultraaudio.com/twbas/twba...9_paradigm.htm