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

[Rob J in WNY]

Scary good!

[ZedsDead]

That's just so over the top, ridiculous....I want one. Though I definitely can't afford it, and the wife would probably move out once I turned it on.

[Big Daddy]

It looks like a great subwoofer, but these are for show and ego so that they can claim "Mine is Bigger than Yours."

I prefer 4 separate quality subwoofers placed in the 4 corners of the room or the middle of the four walls. The whole idea of multiple subwoofers is that so that the bass sound is generated from different locations and they defeat the effect of standing waves (cold & hot spots) in order to get a more even and smoother bass across the room for all listening positions.

Even if these super subwoofers create 150dB of sound, it is totally an overkill and useless. If you are going to calibrate your subwoofer and the the rest of your speakers, you will have to turn down the level on the back of the sub and the gain in the receiver so that the sub gives you about 75dB of sound in your listening area.

Furthermore, how many movies have sound tracks that go down to 10Hz and how many people actually hear 10Hz?

[Dase]

Originally Posted by Intamin

Get a load of this bad boy...


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

"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!"

For $7k 104db at 20hz is not impressive at all. Lol. ED, SVS, Epik and many other manufacturers make subs that will top 110db at 20hz at a fraction of that price. Heck you could buy an ED A7900, 2 SVS PB13 Ultra's, and a now discontinued Epik Conquest and still be under $7k.

Same with the 118db at 60hz spec... lol for $7k???

Can you even imagine what you could DIY for $7k?

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

It looks like a great subwoofer, but these are for show and ego so that they can claim "Mine is Bigger than Yours."

I prefer 4 separate quality subwoofers placed in the 4 corners of the room or the middle of the four walls. The whole idea of multiple subwoofers is that so that the bass sound is generated from different locations and they defeat the effect of standing waves (cold & hot spots) in order to get a more even and smoother bass across the room for all listening positions.

Even if these super subwoofers create 150dB of sound, it is totally an overkill and useless. If you are going to calibrate your subwoofer and the the rest of your speakers, you will have to turn down the level on the back of the sub and the gain in the receiver so that the sub gives you about 75dB of sound in your listening area.

Furthermore, how many movies have sound tracks that go down to 10Hz and how many people actually hear 10Hz?

I agree completely with this BD.

And while the 9hz extension may sound impressive... it's only 95db, inaudible, and like BD says there are a small handfull of movies with bass that deep anyway.

Products like this do have thier niche crowd though.

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

It looks like a great subwoofer, but these are for show and ego so that they can claim "Mine is Bigger than Yours."

I prefer 4 separate quality subwoofers placed in the 4 corners of the room or the middle of the four walls. The whole idea of multiple subwoofers is that so that the bass sound is generated from different locations and they defeat the effect of standing waves (cold & hot spots) in order to get a more even and smoother bass across the room for all listening positions.

Even if these super subwoofers create 150dB of sound, it is totally an overkill and useless. If you are going to calibrate your subwoofer and the the rest of your speakers, you will have to turn down the level on the back of the sub and the gain in the receiver so that the sub gives you about 75dB of sound in your listening area.

Furthermore, how many movies have sound tracks that go down to 10Hz and how many people actually hear 10Hz?

I'm not sure that its about hearing 10Hz, but probably feeling it. I dunno, I've never heard/felt 10Hz before!

I've got a question for you though. Infinite baffle or 4 separate subs? (provided both are done right)

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Drew664

I'm not sure that its about hearing 10Hz, but probably feeling it. I dunno, I've never heard/felt 10Hz before!

I've got a question for you though. Infinite baffle or 4 separate subs? (provided both are done right)

Infinite baffle subs create a lot of bass sound, but you need an attaching storage room or attic. However, I still prefer 4 separate quality subwoofers. For me, it doesn't matter how loud it is. It is important that all frequencies are reproduced evenly across the room. With IB subwoofers, you are restricted with positioning. With seaprate subwoofers, you have a lot more flexibility and that is the key to good bass reproduction.

After all, how much bass sound can a human brain absorb? Do you really want to do what these crazy people have done?

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

CEDIA EXPO 2009:

Signature sub 1 and sub 2:

http://www.soundstage2.com/avtour2009/ced_ss03.html

[gates70]

I am sooo getting the Sub 1 !!! Wonder if it would match well with my Studio 60's ?

[Yautja]

That sub looks Beautiful

[Geezer00003]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I prefer 4 separate quality subwoofers placed in the 4 corners of the room or the middle of the four walls. The whole idea of multiple subwoofers is that so that the bass sound is generated from different locations and they defeat the effect of standing waves (cold & hot spots) in order to get a more even and smoother bass across the room for all listening positions.

Yeah, that'd be nice.

Perhaps these killers will be just the ticket for those with big rooms needing four quality subs?


cheers

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

It looks like a great subwoofer, but these are for show and ego so that they can claim "Mine is Bigger than Yours."

I prefer 4 separate quality subwoofers placed in the 4 corners of the room or the middle of the four walls. The whole idea of multiple subwoofers is that so that the bass sound is generated from different locations and they defeat the effect of standing waves (cold & hot spots) in order to get a more even and smoother bass across the room for all listening positions.

Even if these super subwoofers create 150dB of sound, it is totally an overkill and useless. If you are going to calibrate your subwoofer and the the rest of your speakers, you will have to turn down the level on the back of the sub and the gain in the receiver so that the sub gives you about 75dB of sound in your listening area.

Furthermore, how many movies have sound tracks that go down to 10Hz and how many people actually hear 10Hz?

I agree with BD. I have noticed a significant improvement in the bass response after adding another identical subwoofer in my HT room in smoothing out the bass in my listening area. I would rather buy two more and place each in the four corners of the room before I would ever consider getting the Paradigm Ref Sig Sub 2, even if I had the money. Stacked subwoofers even if in the same enclosure can still have uneven bass response in the room. I would rather have smoother bass through the listening area by using four identical subs than a single subwoofer capable of getting down to 10 Hz.