Audio Video News

Ontario's Paradigm loudspeakers have a well-deserved reputation for great performance at affordable prices. On March 16, the company announced a new addition to its product line, the Seismic Series subwoofers.

The result of four years of intensive research and development, Paradigm's Seismic Subs take their place alongside the company's award-winning Servo-15 reference subwoofer, a member of the Paradigm Reference collection. Seismic subs come in two sizes: a 12" cube housing a 10" driver (the Seismic 10), and a 14" cube with a 12" driver (the Seismic 12). Both compact subwoofers are said to be ideal for home theater use, offering "phenomenal output, superb definition and unparalleled accuracy."

Each seismic sub is built in a high-pressure die-cast aluminum chassis, with Paradigm's proprietary "Airflow Ventilation Cooling System" (AVS). Drivers have powerful computer-optimized magnet/motor structures powering high-excursion co-polymer polypropylene bass cones. Amplification is via a 1200-watt Ultra-Class-D power plant claimed capable of 4500 watts peak power. The Seismic 10 can hit 21Hz and the Seismic12 can reach as low as 17Hz, according to the manufacturer.

Inputs include single-ended RCA and balanced XLR. User comforts include an auto on/off functions that eliminates the need for a manually operated power switch, and a trigger on/off that allows the subwoofer's power on/off to be controlled by components that have trigger outputs. Both subs can be tailored to room and system characteristics via subwoofer level control, low frequency cut-off, phase alignment, and bass contour.

Seismic Series subwoofers are available in black ash with gloss tops. Suggested retail price for the Seismic 10 is $1,350.00 (US); the Seismic 12 is $1,700.00.