Overview

SUB 1: The Best Subwoofer in its Price Range!

The most difficult task in designing SUB 1 and SUB 2 was not just to have these subs play lower AND louder than any other subwoofers in the world, but to do so in a size that wouldn’t dominate the average living room. In a cabinet that could be mistaken for a very fine piece of furniture.

And then there are the mind-boggling specs. SUB 2 plumbs the depths to 7 Hz with bloodcurdling output: 112 dB at 10 Hz, 126 dB at 60 Hz (in room). Connected to a 240-volt line, SUB 2 delivers 4,500 watts of continuous RMS Sustained power and a Frankenstein 9,000 watts of Dynamic Peak power through its unique Power Factor Correction system. Talk about bringing your music and movies to life! SUB 1 is no slouch either, delivering 1,700 watts of continuous power and 3,400 watts at peak.

With not one, but six cutting-edge drivers in each sub, transient information is conveyed with pristine clarity and perfect precision. Dynamics come through with lightning-fast speed and a power so shattering that it must be heard to be believed. Bass reproduction is eerily accurate and detailed, in large part a result of the unique Vibration-Canceling Design Architecture (VCDA) …

How do they compare?

SUB 1: The best subwoofer in its price range! 
SUB 2: The best subwoofer in the world, period.

Control Facilities:

• Auto On/Off

• Trigger On/Off

• Subwoofer Level

• Subwoofer Cut-Off Frequency (continuously variable 35 Hz – 150 Hz);
Bypass Option

• Sub/Sat Phase Alignment (0° to 180°)

• Paradigm Perfect Bass Kit Included

Input Facilities:

• Line-level Inputs

These Subs are Movers, not Shakers … Massive Air Movement, Massive Output, Vibration Free

Our Vibration-Canceling Design Architecture (see above tab, VCDA) is only part of the story. There’s still no replacement for displacement: In a small, compact form factor, six 10˝ drivers in SUB 2 move more air than a pair of 15˝ woofers! SUB 1’s six 8˝ drivers move as much air as two 12˝ woofers. The other part of the story lies in the cutting-edge design of the bass drivers:

Mineral-Filled Co-Polymer Polypropylene Cones. A 30% mineral content has introduced additional cone stiffness for a measurable increase in repeatability and consistency. Response is instantaneous—low, loud, fast and tight, unveiling layers and layers of low-frequency detail, with consistently perfect pace.

Overmolded NLC™ Non-Limiting Corrugated TPE Surrounds and Nomex® Cloth Spiders. These extreme low-density NLC™ surrounds on SUB 1 were FEA-optimized and overmolded onto the cones in house. Ten times more effective than standard thermoplastic elastomers in damping vibrations and resonances, the corrugated material works in tandem with our Vibration-Canceling Design Architecture to ensure not a hint of distortion exists, even at peak-to-peak excursion (almost 2˝ / 50 mm in SUB 2!) and full-on output.

RCR™ Resonance Control Ribs. NLC™ surround technology was not required in SUB 2 since the six 10˝ drivers already allow for larger surrounds. The cones’ resonance control ribbing simply reinforces the new VC design architecture. As in SUB 1 cone excursion on each driver is extreme.

1-1/2˝ (38 mm) 4-Layer Long-Travel Aluminum Voice Coils. Wound on high-temperature composite polyamide formers in an oversize configuration, the coils provide exceptional stability and support for the extremely high cone excursion.

High-Pressure Die-Cast Aluminum Chassis with AVS™ Airflow Ventilation System Cooling. Large built-in ribs increase the heat dissipation surface providing forced-air cooling during large musical transients and chassis convection cooling at all other times. CNC-machined to ensure a precision fit.

Magnetic Pole Piece: FEA-optimized, tooled to support the extreme excursion.

Computer-Optimized Ceramic (Hard Ferrite) Magnet Assemblies with Balanced Field Geometry. Using Finite Element Analysis, the magnet structures were optimized to yield the most powerful output in a Signature subwoofer to date. Transient and phase-response are exceptional with superb power handling and output linearity.

VCDA

Vibration-Canceling Design Architecture: Physics trumps mechanics with a little help from Paradigm

Typically, subwoofer enclosures contain one large driver. As that driver moves back and forth, the cabinet can vibrate which leads to smeared response, bass that lacks clarity and definition. Well-executed cabinet design, like that on Paradigm Reference subwoofers, typically includes sophisticated and extensive physical bracing inside the enclosure.

So why, when Paradigm puts six drivers in a single cabinet without significant physical bracing, does a martini set on top, while the subs are playing, barely elicit a ripple? Designed, engineered and manufactured by Paradigm in North America, SUB 1 and SUB 2 are movers, not shakers … massive air movement, massive output, virtually vibration-free.

Six identical, perfectly balanced state-of-the-art drivers are radially aligned (two on each side) inside the cabinet. As opposing forces of equal magnitude, the powerful vibration-reaction forces (see the arrows in diagram, below) effectively cancel each other out. Barely a ripple disturbs the martini placed on top of the cabinet, such is the degree to which unwanted, distortion-inducing vibrations are reduced.

Amplifier

BIG POWER! Compact Package.

Two cutting-edge Ultra-Class-D™ amplifiers, designed, engineered and manufactured by Paradigm in North America, are housed inside the SUB 1’s compact hexagonal cabinet. State-of-the-art amplifier parts include:

Switching Power Supplies. More than 90% efficiency! Optimized to completely and simultaneously control the operation of all six bass drivers.

Prodigious total output. 3,400 watts Dynamic Peak Power; 1,700 watts (850 watts each amp) RMS Sustained Power.

More Power from a Compact Package. Our low-noise, ultra-high-power compact transformer (0.4 lb / 0.18 kg) is ideal for SUB 1’s compact cabinet. Unlike the large and heavier transformers in a linear power supply, its ETD-core was developed specifically for applications that deliver very high power from a compact form factor. Highest quality MOSFET transistors, noise-suppression networks and an advanced control circuit result in tremendous current with ultra-quiet operation.

Full-Bridge Ultra-Class-D™ Design Output Stage. Operating from split power supply rails it ensures exceptionally low distortion. The high-quality output filter inductors with super-efficient toroidal cores, four high-quality MOSFET transistors on each amplifier (each can carry 65 amps of continuous current), and a noise-suppression network play a significant role. Not only does this design increase the speed of the switching, it also increases switching efficiency.

Precision Components and Dual-Sided Military Spec (FR-4 rated) Glass / Epoxy Circuit Boards. Superior “Reference” quality performance with an enviable degree of reliability over the long term.

Proprietary Amplifier Temperature Sensors. Maintain the safe operating temperature of the dual amplifiers, even under extreme operating conditions. Advanced Short-Circuit Protection: If current through the MOSFETs exceeds an internally preset limit, a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) disables the output stage. Essentially a “latching” device, the SCR will not allow the output stage to be re-enabled until power is reset. Reaction time is typically within 10 μs.

Novel Adaptive PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Power Processor. Minimizes distortion and optimizes efficiency. Conventional Class-D designs have very low power supply rejection, however Paradigm’s Ultra-Class-D™ design inherently rejects variations in the power supply.

Paradigm’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP). Sophisticated mathematical algorithms “shape” response, ensuring accurate, consistent and musical bass without distortion, even when the sub is playing at the loudest level.

Gorgeous 5/8˝ (16 mm) Ultra-Rigid Aluminum Amplifier Panel. Provides revolutionary heat-sinking and mechanical rigidity as well as improved isolation and lower noise.

Specifications

* DIN 45 500. Indicates -3 dB in a typical listening room.

†† Dimensions include grilles and feet.

Reviews

ONLINE REVIEWS:

• Signature SUB 1 Review - Tech Radar

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