CES 2017

New in-wall speaker announcements at CES are about as dry and parched as the city’s desert air, so I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into Paradigm’s Venetian suite and saw the company was introducing six new models across its CI Pro and CI Elite lineups. Designed for residential home theater installations, these new models are all LCR designs featuring integrated backboxes made from ¾-inch MDF to provide an optimal acoustic environment as well as keeping sound from bleeding into adjacent rooms.

The three new speakers in the CI Pro line include the P1 ($999), the P3 ($1499) and the P5 ($1999) with all featuring mineral filled cones, X-PAL PPA (Perforated Phase Alignment) tweeters, and an MDF baffle with magnetic, bezel-free micro perf grille. The entry P1 features three drivers including two 5.5-inch bass/mid and a 1-inch tweeter. The P3 steps up to a five driver design, featuring two passive 5.5-inch drivers, two 5.5-inch mid/bass drivers, and a 1-inch tweeter. The flagship P5 steps up to two passive 6.5-inch drivers, two 6.5-inch bass drivers, a single 6.5-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch tweeter.

The three new CI Elite LCRs have all the technology and grille aesthetics of the Pro line, but feature high-performance step ups including aluminum baffles, oversized 1.5-inch voice coils, and pure aluminum X-PAL cone technology in the drivers for superior reproduction. The new Elite models will include the E3 ($1999), E5 ($2499) and flagship E7 ($3499). The Elite E3 will feature five drivers including two 5.5-inch passive drivers, two 5.5-inch bass/mid drivers, and a 1-inch tweeter. The E5 steps up to two passive 6.5-inch drivers, two 6.5-inch bass drivers, a single 6.5-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch tweeter. The flagship E7 moves to 8-inch passive and active woofers, a single 6.5-inch midrange driver, and a 1-inch tweeter.

All of the new models save for the entry P1 also feature Paradigm’s ART (Active Ridge Technology) drive surround that improves bass response. With home theater design in-mind, each of the new LCRs also include a “tweeter boost” EQ-setting which is designed to correct audio if the speaker is placed behind a perforated video screen. All models are expected to begin shipping in February.