Paradigm MILLENIA LP 2, MILLENIA LP XL Owner's Manual

MILLENIA™ LP 2
MILLENIA™ LP XL

REFERENCE COLLECTION

OWNERS MANUAL

Paradigm Electronics Inc., 205 Annagem Boulevard, Mississauga, ON L5T 2V1

HIGH-DEFINITION SOUND

™

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing speakers from Paradigm’s Reference Collection and congratulations! You
are about to hear the difference these state-of-the-art high-end speakers will make in your music
and home theater system.

Your speakers were designed and engineered in our Toronto, Canada facility. They are internationally
recognized for their exceptional state-of-the-art sound. In fact, Paradigm is the only speaker brand in
the world to be rated #1* year after year.

Extensive listener preference tests conducted by the National Research Council (NRC) give our
design engineers a firm understanding of how we hear speakers and clearly establish which design
parameters are most critical to good sound. Using the NRC findings along with measurement-based
analysis done in the anechoic chamber at our Toronto facility and listening tests carried out in
our controlled double-blind listening rooms, Paradigm engineers work to constantly improve our
speakers in three critical areas:

Flat Midrange: Smooth and even with coloration reduced to the lowest level possible.
Smooth Total Energy Response: On and off axis, sound must be fundamentally similar. Dispersion

must be wide and uniform ensuring superior imaging and a wide listening area.
Low Distortion: Lowest levels possible.

In addition, Paradigm concentrates on two other significant performance areas:

Better Bass Response: Tight, extended and well defined.
Higher Power Handling: to improve dynamic contrasts and sonic realism, power compression

must be minimized.
Unyielding attention to all of these areas results in state-of-the-art speakers that are measurably

and audibly superior. Comprehensive R&D, leading-edge design, use of the finest materials and
sophisticated manufacturing and quality control provide vastly superior performance for each
component part at every stage of design. Quite simply, we build better sound and we have the
product awards to prove it.

Your new speakers will provide you with stunning reference quality sound and unparalleled listening
pleasure for many years. Their ultra-thin profile was designed to complement the thinnest flat-panel
television on the market today as well as the ‘even thinner

’

flat panels yet to come.

To achieve all of the exceptional sound they are capable of providing requires care in installation
and operation. Please take the time to read this manual and follow all instructions. If you have
further questions, contact your Authorized Paradigm Reference Dealer or visit the Q&A page in the
Tech Support section of our website at paradigm.com.

* Rated #1 Best Price/Value. Inside Track Annual Dealer Survey. An annual independent nationwide survey of consumer electronics specialist retailers and
custom installers.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The Technology

Behind Your New Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Your New Speakers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

How To Avoid Speaker Damage . . . . . . . . 3

Your Listening Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wall-Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Paradigm DOES NOT supply hardware for mounting speakers to the
wall. Hardware shown in this manual is for example only and will vary
depending on the wall type. Always use screws appropriate for wall
type and weight of speakers.

If installing into drywall, install into 1/2˝ (13 mm) or 5/8˝ (16 mm) drywall
only. Screws must be long enough to go through anchor bolts (not supplied)
and firmly into drywall (see inset circle, page 8).

IMPORTANT: ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPEAKER STANDS
(INCLUDED WITH SPEAKERS) ARE FOUND IN THE BOX WITH
THE STAND.

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE WALL-MOUNTING YOUR SPEAKERS.

Wall mount your speakers securely enough that they cannot fall and
cause personal injury or damage to property. Use safety straps where
supplied. Detailed information on attaching the safety straps is included
in the section on Installation later in the manual.

NON LIABILITY: We are aware that the mounting assemblies provided for speakers
in this manual could be used for purposes and in ways other than those for which
they were intended. The manufacturer, distributor, retailer and their respective
agents cannot be held responsible or liable for injuries or property damage—direct,
indirect or consequential—arising from the use of or inability to use these products
safely and properly. Every effort has been made to provide accurate, error-free
installation instructions. Paradigm Electronics Inc. disclaims liability for difficulties that
may arise from the misinterpretation of information contained in these instructions.

RECYCLING AND REUSE GUIDELINES (Europe)

In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive effective August 13,
2005, we would like to notify you that our speakers may contain regulated materials which, upon disposal, require special
reuse and recycling processing. For this reason Paradigm Electronics Inc. (the manufacturer of Paradigm speakers and
Anthem electronics products) has arranged with its distributors in European Union member nations to collect and recycle this
product at no cost to you. To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whom you purchased this product or
go to our website at www.paradigm.com.

Please note that only the product falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging and other shipping material
we encourage you to recycle through the normal channels.

© PARADIGM ELECTRONICS INC.

043014

2

THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND YOUR NEW SPEAKERS

Bass/Midrange Drive Units

• High-Performance Anodized
Unibody Bass/Midrange Cone

• Peformance-Optimized Nitrile­Butadiene Rubber Surround

• Nomex

™

Spider

• High-Power Apical

™

Former

• High-Performance Motor Assembly
includes 1-1/2˝ High-Temperature
Aluminum Voice Coil and Powerful
Neodymium Magnet

• Steel Heafin Basket

Passive Radiators

• High-Performance Anodized
Unibody Bass/Midrange Cone

• Peformance-Optimized Nitrile­Butadiene Rubber Surround

• Precision-Tuned Resonance System

High-Frequency Drive Units

• S-PAL

™

Satin-Anodized

Pure-Aluminum Dome

• Rigid Mineral-Filled ABS Chassis

• Protective, Perforated Aluminum
Mesh Screen Guard with Wide
Dispersion Architecture and
Integrated Phase Ring

• High-Power Apical

™

Former

• Advanced Motor Structure with
Extruded Aluminum Heatsink

3

YOUR NEW SPEAKERS

Break-In

Although your speakers will sound great ‘out of the carton’, they will sound even better once they are
‘broken in.’ Allow them to play for several hours before you begin to listen critically.

Drivers use ferro-fluid that can thicken at temperatures below 10° C (50° F). Surround material used
in the bass/midrange units is made of a compound that may stiffen in colder temperatures. If your
speakers have been transported or stored in the cold, let them warm to room temperature before use.

Cleaning

Your speakers have a premium finish that must be treated with care. Use only a damp, soft cloth to
clean. Never use strong, abrasive or corrosive cleaning products. Common household cleaning
products should be avoided.

Speaker Grilles

Your speakers are meant to be played with their grilles on.

HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE

Your speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud listening levels with moderate amplifier power.
They are also able to handle the output of very powerful amplifiers. To prevent damage to your
speakers, please read the following guidelines before hooking them up.

Amplifier Distortion — The #1 Culprit!

Amplifier distortion is the principal cause of speaker damage. When listening at loud levels your
amplifier may run out of clean power. It will then begin to produce distorted power several times greater
than its rated output power. This will damage any brand of speaker very quickly! (See Dealer for

amplifier recommendations.)

More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer

A 40 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 40 watts. If driven to 50 watts,
this amplifier will deliver distorted power which will damage the speaker! A 100 watt/channel
amplifier will have substantial distortion above 100 watts, but very low distortion below 100 watts.
Therefore, when the speaker requires 50 watts, this more powerful amplifier will deliver clean power
and speaker damage is less likely to occur.

Volume Control

Do not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. It only adjusts listening
level—it is not a “power-output” dial. The amount of amplifier power actually used at a given
Volume Control setting depends solely on the nature of the music you are listening to.

At a given Volume Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier power than a loud
section. With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale classical music, the rated output power of many
receivers/amplifiers is often reached when the Volume Control is between the ‘11 and 1 o’clock’
settings (with bass/treble and loudness controls not used—otherwise rated power may be reached
at even lower Volume Control settings).

Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their rated output power. The
resulting distortion will damage all speakers! Exercise caution! If you listen at loud levels, be careful
to listen for the point of audible distortion—if the speakers begin to sound distressed turn the
Volume Control down or your speakers and/or amplifier(s) will be damaged! This type of damage
constitutes abuse and is not covered by the warranty. If louder volumes are desired, obtain a more
powerful amplifier.

4

HOW TO AVOID SPEAKER DAMAGE (continued)

There is a Limit!

Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you could have more power
than the speaker can handle. At that point you will overpower the speaker and damage it. Exercise
caution! At loud levels do not increase bass/treble controls from zero and ensure that all loudness/
contour/bass EQ buttons are off (otherwise rated output power will be reached at lower Volume
Control settings). If you listen at loud levels, watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille
movement) from the woofer—then turn the Volume Control down.

The Right Amount of Power

A power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate minimum and maximum power
input of your speakers speakers. Amplifiers that exceed your speaker’s power-range rating are
recommended. Their greater power reserves provide better sound. However, exercise caution! Use
the speakers within their power-range rating to prevent damage (keep listening levels below the point
of excessive woofer cone excursion).

YOUR LISTENING ROOM

Your speakers are designed to provide state-of-the-art sound in a wide variety of domestic settings.
Note however, that room construction, dimensions, even furnishings all play a part in the quality of
sound you ultimately achieve. Your listening room will impose its own character on the performance
capabilities of any speaker system. The extra care taken in installation will result in greater listening
enjoyment. Try to follow these guidelines:

• Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft furnishings in your room—curtains,

carpets, sofas, wall coverings, etc. An excess of such items can result in a somewhat dull sound. The
same room without any soft furnishings can produce an overall bright sound. The typical quantity of
soft furnishings found in most living environments provides the right acoustic characteristics to allow
the speakers to sound balanced;

• Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing wave problems and are

less preferred;

• Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as they can exhibit

significant low-frequency standing wave problems. This may result in reduced clarity. If no other
room is possible, experiment with speaker placement to minimize problems.

5

PLACEMENT

The following placement guidelines will help you get the best performance from your speakers.
Illustrations showing you how to attach the speakers to the wall are provided in the section following.

FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT SPEAKERS

Accurate Timbre (Fig. 1)
For the most accurate and natural timbre, position speakers so that sound from the high-frequency

drivers reaches the listener at approximately ear level. Keep in mind, your speakers will allow for
higher than usual placement of the high-frequency drivers, a particularly important feature when
wall mounting. Mounting them farther apart on the wall than the width of your flat panel will
promote a wide, deep listening window.

Balanced Bass Performance (not shown)

Placing front speakers in corners will over-emphasize bass and reduce overall clarity. For more
balanced sound, we recommend avoiding corners when considering speaker placement.

Optimal Imaging (Fig. 2)
Keeping the above in mind, measure the distance from your main listening area to the front

speakers (“X”). For best imaging, mount speakers on the wall from three-quarters of that distance
up to the same distance from each other (3/4 of “X” to “X”).

CENTER SPEAKER

(Fig. 3)

Mount your center speaker horizontally, directly above or below your TV, whichever position brings
sound closer to ear level. This ensures the most uniform timbral response with the rest of your system.
Some receivers electronically adjust for differences in distance between speakers … check to see if
yours does.

SURROUND/REAR SPEAKERS (Fig. 4)
To experience the full multichannel music and home theater experience, Paradigm always

recommends the use of surround/rear speakers. When used a surround/rear configuration, for
optimal performance keep speakers well away from the listening area (see illustration on the
next page).

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR SURROUND/REAR SPEAKERS

There are additional custom surround/rear speaker options in Paradigm’s Reference Collection of
custom speakers. Please see your dealer or visit our website paradigm.com for more information.

6

up to

OR

PLACEMENT (continued)

OR

Fig. 4

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 1

7

WALL-MOUNTING

Bracket is slotted (see illustration), to allow further adjustment if necessary. Re-check to ensure
bracket is level. Mark outer screw holes.

WARNING! For stability all screws MUST be used

Position bracket and ensure it is level. Mark the two center screw holes. Drill pilot holes, then press
anchor bolts firmly into drywall and screw in. Follow with flathead screws: DO NOT SCREW ALL THE
WAY IN AT THIS POINT—leave screw heads protruding slightly.

MOUNTING LEFT/RIGHT SPEAKERS

Wall screws
not supplied

Wall screws
not supplied

Position bracket
vertically on wall
as shown, then
follow the steps for
horizontal installation
that follow as a guide
to installing your
L/R speakers.

NOTE: This step is for positioning only.
Screws will be removed in next step to
allow installation of additional anchor
bolts (not supplied).

MOUNTING CENTER SPEAKER

3.258”

3.258”

If you are not comfortable performing the following instllation procedure, have a professional
perform the installation (see your dealer about hiring a professional).

IMPORTANT! Installation instructions
are for ALL MODELS. If you own
the Millenia LP XL there will be
an additional screw and hole

(see diagram at right).

Step 2

Step 1 Step 1