Digital Trends gives Paradigm's Soundtrack System Editors' Choice award and a 4.5 Star Review!

When we introduced the Soundtrack System, Paradigm's first powered soundbar and wireless subwoofer combo, Digital Trends was eager to get their hands on a system for review. We gladly accepted and sent a system off to Ryan Waniata who had this to say...

"We’ve all heard the saying: If something is worth doing, you might as well do it right. Paradigm seems to agree. The family-owned company is meticulous in its speaker design, using high-end materials and committing long hours to R&D before it lets its speakers see the light of day. So when we heard Paradigm had recently turned its focus to the highly-competitive game of sound bars, we took notice."

"A real taste of high-end in a pint-sized package"

"The sound bar is loaded with mouth-watering components like mineral-filled polypropylene cones and satin-anodized aluminum tweeters. And it’s paired with an aluminum 8-inch subwoofer with class D amplification for 300 watts of peak power. Boom. After cruising the test track at Paradigm’s manufacturing facilities (which include a 36,000 cubic-foot anechoic chamber), this tandem team has finally been deemed ready for duty. But tech aside, just how well does a sound bar have to perform to make it worth eight of your hard earned Benjamins? We took the system on a rollercoaster ride of audio auditions (and emotions) to find out."

"One of the best compact speaker systems we've come across"

Movies & Media Performance
"From the moment we began using the Soundtrack as our TV’s primary sound system, we were treated to rich, clear audio, bursting with detail and riddled with the subtle nuances that draw the user in and enrich the experience... the system created a gorgeous balance between its strong command of the delicate intricacies of speech and sound effects, and a potent, musical force in the heavier moments of action that made everything we played more vibrant and realistic."

Fanfare of Midrange Power
"The sound bar created a fanfare of midrange power, pushing the stereo boundaries of its cabinet to fill our entire room. Jet and helicopter fly-bys cast poignant sweeps through the stereo image, and we even enjoyed some pleasant moments of sound jumping clear off the front wall, catching the sides of the room."

Sub-Beauty
"The subwoofer is a thing of beauty in itself, and we loved the exposed driver at the back... the subwoofer showed a brilliant command of the low end, blending seamlessly into the lower mids with barrels of warmth and offering some titanic blasts from explosions as well."

"We can't think of a better addition to your home theater"

Music Performance
"The Soundtrack also doubles as a serious machine for engulfing yourself in your favorite tunes. We tested the Soundtrack over several genres from our music library and its penchant for detail, dynamic response, power, and clarity made it one of the best compact speaker systems we’ve come across."

Ear-Crushing Electronica
"We started with some electronica and hip-hop, which quaked with thick waves of sound, while the upper register struck with pinpoint accuracy. Pushing the system to ear-crushing levels, we heard no distortion."

Acoustic Breath
"Auditioning some of our favorite acoustic tracks from Mumford and Sons and Elliott Smith, guitars were offered with fine, pointed attacks that carved out glinted edges to the melodies. Vocals had a dry and present response, with the same breathy definition we’d heard in dialogue from movies and TV."

Vibrant Rock
"Moving on to classic rock, we were treated to ornate percussion, with ride and crash cymbals ringing tangibly close, washed in a draught of tape saturation. Paul Simon’s “Late in the Evening” offered plucky pops from woodblocks that jumped right out at us like a 3D effect, while the horns were sweet, stinging, and vibrant."

Paradigm's Soundtrack is a no-brainer.

Conclusion
"The Paradigm Soundtrack’s fine detail, warm and powerful low end, and dynamic stereo image combine for a suite of sonic brilliance that far exceeds its sound bar status. Aside from pony-ing up for a full blown hi-fi surround system, we can’t think of a better addition to your home theater. And the system’s elegant and convenient design should be a welcome in any room, regardless of the size. If you’re looking for a real taste of hi-fi sound in a pint-sized package and you’ve got the cash, Paradigm’s Soundtrack is a no-brainer."

We're delighted to hear that Digital Trends not only loved the Soundtrack System, but that it earned Digital Trends prestigious "Editors' Choice" award and a rating of 4.5 stars!!!

Click here! to read the Soundtrack review from Digital Trends.

Click here! for more info on the Soundtrack System or to buy.

Paradigm's Studio 20 makes Stereophile's 2013 Recommended Components!

Stereophile has published its 2013 Recommended Components and among all of the loudspeaker winners is our very own Paradigm Reference Studio 20 bookshelf speaker. Stereophile determines its Recommended Components list like so:

"Components listed here have been formally reviewed in Stereophile and have been found to be among the best available in each of four or five quality classes. Whether a component is listed in Class A or Class E, we highly recommend its purchase."

So without further ado, here is the description on Paradigm's winning product...

Loudspeaker Systems: ClassB

Paradigm Reference Studio 20
"The fifth generation of Paradigm's successful Reference Studio 20 uses a 1", ferrofluid-damped and -cooled dome tweeter and a 7" cone woofer with an elliptically profiled surround of Santoprene, designed for low distortion and deep, loud bass. The curved cabinet, intended to minimize internal reflections and edge diffraction, is available in Cherry, Rosenut, and Piano Black. With its superb resolution of inner detail, exceptional integration of the midrange and high frequencies, and outstanding dynamic realism, the Studio 20 consistently created a revealing and involving listening experience, said BJR. JA noted a "fairly clean bill of health.""

Click here! for all Stereophile 2013 Recommended Components.

 Click here! for more information on Paradigm's Studio 20.

4 Stars and a Stellar Review for the Paradigm SHIFT H15 On-Ear Headphones from Digital Trends!

At CES this past January, Digital Trends visited our booth and were seriously interested in the Paradigm SHIFT H15 and H15NC on-ear headphones. So when the first H15 headphones became available, we sent a pair over to the Digital Trends team to evaluate. Tech writer, Ryan Waniata conquered the review and below is a summary of his findings...

"The family-run company has a 30-year track record in speaker design. Unlike many of its competitors, it manufactures its products at its own facility in Ontario, Canada – and we never take a company with a 36,000 cubic ft. anechoic chamber lightly. With that in mind, we recently sat down with the H15 noise-isolating headphones to see what Paradigm’s audio engineering experience resulted in. Here’s what happened."

"The H15 is a very light pair of headphones - barely noticeable when worn."

"Paradigm’s newest addition to its headphone line follows the minimalist/executive design trend we’ve seen in similarly priced on-ear headsets... The H15’s succinct headband is soft to the touch, and carries a thick cushion along its underbelly, covered in smooth leatherette."

"... comfortable listening for hours at a time."

"The H15 is a very light pair of headphones – barely noticeable when worn. The silky padding that adorns both the headband and the earpieces is exorbitantly thick, and the angled earpieces seem to rest perfectly against the outer ear, allowing comfortable listening for hours at a time."

"We found the H15 delivered a pleasant,“warm and fuzzy” sound signature, notable for its velvety low end, and soft, sculpted upper register... we think many listeners will enjoy its comfortable, relaxed approach to music reproduction, especially with so many competing headsets taking such an aggressive sonic stance these days."

"...velvety low end, and soft, sculpted upper register"

"While breezing through our music collection, the H15’s soft touch immediately drew our ears to the lower register, which was full and well defined. The brassy color of the bass was readily displayed in everything from thick kick drums and bass guitar, to reedy sax and electric guitar. The rich tones were enticing, and seemed to layer our ears in a pillowy glow."

"As we listened on, we noticed the rich character of the bass carried over into the H15’s midrange response as well. Acoustic guitars tended to have a golden sheen that carried some pleasant body, and piano was often creamy and smooth throughout its range."

"If a warm, ruddy sound signature is your bag, the H15 are definitely worth a listen."

"The H15’s smooth sound and ample noise isolation are encapsulated in an attractive, comfortable design... we think many listeners will find Paradigm’s H15 to be a worthy vessel in which to become comfortably engulfed in music. If a warm, ruddy sound signature is your bag, the H15 are definitely worth a listen."

Click here! to read the full H15 review from Digital Trends.

Click here! for more info on Paradigm's H15 or to buy now.

Paradigm Launches New Consumer Website!

We are proud to announce the launch of our new Paradigm consumer website! After undergoing a complete redesign, Paradigm's new website offers vastly improved navigation, an intuitive dealer locator and emphasis on high-resolution photography.

"We’ve listened to feedback from our customers, dealers, family and friends, and based on that feedback have made some dramatic changes to our Website,” said Justin Bright, Director of Digital Marketing for Paradigm. “The new Paradigm website isn’t just a refresh - it has been re-tooled from top to bottom. Navigation is easy and consistent, finding a local dealer is more intuitive, and with emphasis on high-resolution photography, the overall look and feel is simply stunning.” 

Justin Bright, Paradigm's Director of Digital Marketing

Thanks to the new user-friendly design, researching Paradigm products online is effortless. Paradigm product pages now include retail pricing (North America only), allowing potential buyers to research sound solutions that fit their budget. There are also product specs, reviews, and downloadable literature a click away on each product page. Paradigm understands that it can be hard to appreciate the beauty of its products online - especially when looking at a tiny screen, and has increased focus on product photography. Now every product has its own gallery linked to stunning high-resolution images on Flickr that lets the user see every detail without squinting—just click on the "gallery" tab when looking at any product.

The navigation of Paradigm’s new website has also seen a major overhaul. The product search feature has been built from the ground up, so whether the user is new to the world of high-end audio, or a die-hard Paradigm fan, it’s easy to find the perfect sound solution, with tons of help and tips along the way. Paradigm has also created four distinct product collections to help users find a sound solution that fits their specific application and budget, which are: 

• Signature Collection: As good as it gets! Paradigm’s flagship collection delivers the ultimate in
  music and home theater performance with stunning aesthetics.
• Reference Collection: Step-up performance. Reference quality sound and style, advanced components and an exceptional performance-to-value relationship.
• Classic Collection: Our affordable audiophile lineup. High-performance products for music and home theater that represent truly exceptional value.
• SHIFT Collection: Legendary Paradigm sound, anywhere. Easy-to-use products with emphasis on portable, wireless and fully-powered speaker solutions.

Paradigm’s dealer locator has also been completely revamped, making it easy to find where to buy any Paradigm product. Finding the closest Paradigm dealers is instantaneous, with automatic Google geolocation services based on location. Users can also narrow their search even further by selecting a product collection to find dealers that carry specific models.

Customers that want to keep track of their purchases can now use a simple online product registration tool, and in the coming months will be able to review their product experience on Paradigm.com for other customers to see. Considerable emphasis is placed on talking directly with customers and fans, and a new Social tab is located in the top navigation, giving visitors easy access to Paradigm’s active Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Flickr and YouTube pages.

Of course, Paradigm’s fantastic customer support is also top of mind, and we’ve added a Support tab with links to many resources including: information about the company, technology, warranty, career opportunities, high-resolution images, manuals, literature and much more. Also included in the Support tab are all of the methods customers can use to contact Paradigm directly. 

To navigate through the new website, please visit: www.paradigm.com

 

"...it will be hard or perhaps impossible for us to go back to a living room without the MilleniaOne CT" - Brian Florian, Secrets of Home Theater

"All in all it's a nice bit of kit. Simple. Small."

In a detailed review recently posted by Secrets of Home Theater, Brian Florian evaluated the Paradigm Reference MilleniaOne CT. Right from the get-go, Brian was a fan of the simplicity and usability of the MilleniaOne CT, but he questioned whether Paradigm's renowned high fidelity could be offered in such a small package. "All in all it's a nice bit of kit. Simple. Small. But how does it perform?" Here is a summary of his findings, though we encourage you to read the full review.

"I was thrilled to hear high fidelity"

A Religious Experience
"It's no stretch to say that in terms of audio presentation, the MilleniaOne CT will likely be a religious experience for someone who's idea of good sound up until this point has been an iPod stuck in a bedside dock, but at the same time we are not expecting the same sort of thing a Paradigm Reference, Anthem AVM, and PVA combo are going to deliver. Still, even as a hardened audiophile I have to say I was thrilled to hear high fidelity from an integrated solution such as this."

"Past-held prejudices began to melt. My wife's initial reaction, with a smile on her face: "Will you have to give these back?" She never asks that."

"...neutral, believable..."

"On the whole the MilleniaOne CT pleases with a big sound which bellies its slight presence, and that's pretty much the point. Natural, if a tab laid back, and full are thoughts which repeatedly came to mind when contemplating the ensemble."

"So much of the final performance in pieces like this are attributable to the implementation of the Class D amplification. Paradigm's science in this respect continues to mature and improve with crisp, yet not brittle treble and a neutral, believable, and wholly unfettered midrange. Testament to this perhaps is that at some point after installation, our cat became a fan of Nature on PBS: When he hears the birds courtesy MilleniaONE CT, coupled with HD video, we've been much amused to see him intently watch, and on occasion lunge, at the screen!"

"... it will be hard or perhaps impossible for us to go back to a living room without the MilleniaOne CT."

"The bottom line for me as a reviewer is my attitude towards the product at the end of the eval period. With some products I'm indifferent, with some I am enthusiastic, and with a rare few so good was the performance that I feared going back to my reference equipment. From that perspective we are in trouble: it will be hard or perhaps impossible for us to go back to a living room without the MilleniaOne CT."

"I've craved high fidelity there but had no place to put it (at very least a traditional outfit would have messed with my wife's décor). The value of the MilleniaOne CT's ability to "sneak" into such a space virtually undetected is the key, though not entirely an exclusive (there have long been small outfits like this). Doing so with still decent fidelity though is the genius."

Click here! to read the MilleniaOne CT review by Brian Florian.

Click here! for more info on the MilleniaOne CT or to buy online.

5 Stars for the Paradigm Atom Monitor from Home Theater Review!

In a recent review published by HomeTheaterReview.com, Andrew Robinson gave the Atom 4.5 stars for Performance, 5 stars for Value and an Overall score of 5 stars!!

5 Stars for the Paradigm Atom Monitor!

Here are some of the highlights from the review...

Remarkable High-Frequency Performance
"I noticed straight away that the Atom's high-frequency performance was one of surprising vigor. There was an incredible amount of detail present in the Atom's high-frequency performance that simply caught me off-guard... While I've encountered "airier" tweeters, what the Atom possessed for less than $200 per speaker was remarkable."

"The added top-end detail acted more or less like punctuation on large dynamic swings, such as explosions and/or gunfire. It also aided the Atom's spatial definition and delineation, two other elements that were also exceptional."

Paradigm's Manufacturing Prowess
"I couldn't detect any port noise or cabinet resonances with the Atoms, which is rather impressive, given their modest price - a testament for sure to Paradigm's manufacturing prowess. The resulting five-speaker soundstage was one of seamless beauty and excellence with regard to accuracy and ambient detail. When played back at near-cinema levels, the resulting five-speaker performance was wholly enjoyable and very convincing."

"I consider the Atom to be not only a great speaker, but a leader among its peers."

Convincing Cinema Experience
"Dynamically, I found the Atoms to be startling, as I simply wasn't expecting them to be as bombastic as they were. To say that the Atoms are capable of big sound is an understatement. Moreover, the effect of having five identical speakers cannot be undersold, as the seamless portrayal of space in a 360-degree circle is a thing of utter beauty, something the Atoms not only get right but do so at a price point I feel many can justify. For such diminutive speakers, the Atoms again proved to be quite adept at recreating a convincing cinema experience."
 
"A single Atom, I felt, did a better job in covering lateral space than most center channels do with their (largely) horizontal configuration... Dialog on the whole felt true to the actors' natural tones and timbres, and it even matched their visual scale on screen, which can be difficult when your visuals span 10 feet, yet your speakers are smaller than a shoebox. Still, the Atom was exemplary in this regard, besting even a costlier competitor that I had on hand..."

Imaging & Intimacy
"I also noted that the Atoms' handling of the film's score was nicely nuanced and well-balanced in its portrayal. While I've experienced the Atoms doing their best bigscreen rendition of the real cinema experience, it's nice to see they possess a delicacy, too, one that is exciting, albeit on a far more intimate scale."

"...passed with flying colors."

"Does the Atom image well? Yes, brilliantly so. Does it have a good soundstage? Again, yes. But neither does a pair of Atoms, nor any other two discrete speakers, hold a candle to what is possible when five are applied...  The Atoms were lively and snappy and provided for a fun and engaging listening experience, which is really the goal, isn't it?"

Icing on the Cake
"...I really do question some people's need for more. More what? If you look past its diminutive size, modest price and Everyman appeal, and instead focus on just enjoying yourself, the Atom is truly as good as you need it to be. When properly set up (this is a big factor), I think it is capable of shocking even the most devout true believers."

"While five matching Atoms were requested for big screen, cinematic viewing - a test they passed with flying colors - the fact that they're equally enjoyable for multi-channel/two-channel music is but icing on the proverbial cake."

A Leader Among its Peers
"So, once again, I set out to see if an affordable two-way bookshelf speaker could live up to and recreate a scaled-down version of a true cinema experience in one's own home. This is a test the Paradigm Atom Monitor speaker passed with flying colors. For less than a grand for a five Atom surround sound setup, I found it not only hugely satisfying, but utterly surprising just how much performance the little Atom packed for so little money... This is why I consider the Atom to be not only a great speaker, but a leader among its peers."

Click here! to read the full review.

Click here! for more info. on the Paradigm Atom Monitor.

Paradigm's H15NC Headphones are Making Covers!

Paradigm's H15NC makes cover of Tell Magazine June 2013 issue.

Paradigm's H15NC makes cover of Sound & Vision J/J/A 2013 issue.

Both issues are available now, pick your copy up before its too late!

 

Click here! for more on the Paradigm headphones.