Paradigm SE, SE 1, SE Center, SE 3, SE SUB Owner's Manual

OWNERS MANUAL

MAN0001004 111109

www.paradigm.com

RECYCLING AND REUSE GUIDELINES FOR 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 this product may contain regulated materials which, upon disposal, according to the WEEE directive, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reason Paradigm Electronics Inc. (manufacturers of Paradigm

speakers and Anthem® electronics) has arranged

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowpoint within an equilateral triangle warns of the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle warns users of the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE, AND OBJECTS FILLED WITH LIQUIDS, SUCH AS VASES, SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THIS APPARATUS.

CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

CAUTION: FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION AGAINST RISK OF FIRE, REPLACE THE FUSE ONLY WITH THE SAME AMPERAGE AND VOLTAGE TYPE. REFER REPLACEMENT TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

WARNING: UNIT MAY BECOME HOT. ALWAYS PROVIDE ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO ALLOW FOR COOLING. DO NOT PLACE NEAR A HEAT SOURCE, OR IN SPACES THAT CAN RESTRICT VENTILATION.

WARNING

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . 2

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Design and Technology Behind Your New Paradigm

Special Edition Speakers

and Subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Unpacking Instructions for

Floorstanding SE 3 (Pictorial) . . . . . . 5

Attaching Bumper Pads –

Bookshelf SE 1 (Pictorial). . . . . . . . . . . 6

Speaker Placement (Pictorial) . . . . . . 6

Speaker Connection (Pictorial) . . . . . 7

Converting Subwoofer Driver

Configuration (Pictorial) . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Subwoofer Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Subwoofer Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Your New Speakers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Preventing Speaker Damage. . . . . . 11

Room Acoustics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Speaker Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Speaker Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Subwoofer Placement . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Subwoofer Connection. . . . . . . . . . . 16

Fine Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Troubleshooting Guide. . . . . . . . . . . 18

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . 19

1. Read Instructions – All the safety and operating instructions should be

read before the product is operated.

2. Retain Instructions – The safety and operating instructions should be

retained for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings – All warnings on the product and in the operating

instructions should be adhered to.

4. Follow Instructions – All operating and use instructions should be

followed.

5. Cleaning – Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do

not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp, soft cloth for cleaning.

6. Water and Moisture – Do not use this product near water—for

example, near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.

7. Accessories – Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand,

tripod, bracket or table. The product may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the product should follow manufacturer’s instructions and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer.

8. Ventilation – Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for

ventilation and to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar surface. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.

9. Power Sources – This product should be operated only from the type

of power source indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your product dealer or local power company. For products intended to operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to the operating instructions.

10. Grounding and Polarization – This product may be equipped with a

polarized alternating-current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the other). This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.

11. Power-Cord Protection – Power supply cords should be routed so that

they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.

12. Lightning – For added protection for this product during a lightning

storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable systems. This will prevent damage to the product due to lightning and powerline surges.

13. Overloading – Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral

convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

14. Object and Liquid Entry – Never push objects of any kind into this

product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing, and ensure that no objects filled with water, such as vases, are placed on the apparatus.

15. Servicing – Do not attempt to service this product yourself as opening

or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.

16. Damage Requiring Service – Unplug this product from wall outlet

and refer servicing to qualified personnel under the following conditions:

• When power supply cord or plug is damaged;

• If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into product;

• If the product has been exposed to rain or water;

• If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal operation;

• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way;

• If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance—this indicates a need for service.

17. Replacement Parts – When replacement parts are required, be sure

the technician has used replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

18. Safety Check – Upon completion of any service or repairs to this

product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

19. Wall or Ceiling Mounting – The product should be mounted to a

wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer.

20. Heat – The product should be situated away from heat sources such

as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other products (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing Paradigm's Special Edition (SE) Series speakers and congratulations! You are about to hear the difference that sonically accurate speakers make in your music and home theater system! Paradigm's Special Edition Series is a limited and very unique addition to our collection. Combining elements from our affordable audiophile-quality Paradigm

line and higher-end Paradigm®Reference line, Paradigm®Special Edition speakers, with their soft edges, clean lines, state-of-the-art technology, compact dimensions and real wood veneer cabinets are a stepping stone to the world of high-end audio.

Paradigm speakers are internationally recognized for their exceptional sound. In fact, Paradigm is the only speaker company to be rated #1* year after year. Quite simply, our speakers are the best sounding speakers in the world. Extensive listener preference tests conducted by the National Research Council (NRC) gave our design engineers a firm understanding of how we hear speakers and clearly established which design parameters were most critical to good sound. Using the NRC findings along with measurement-based analysis done in our anechoic chamber and double-blind testing carried out in our controlled listening rooms, our 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 funda-

mentally similar. Dispersion must be wide and uniform ensuring superior imaging and a wide listening area.

• Low Distortion: Lowest levels possible. In addition, we concentrate on two other very significant performance areas:

• Better Bass Response: Tight, extended and well defined.

• Higher Power Handling: To improve dynamic contrasts and by extension,

sonic realism, power compression must be minimized.

Unyielding attention to these areas results in speakers that are measurably and audibly superior. When it comes to state-of-the-art sound, Paradigm gets it right and Paradigm

Special Edition speakers are a perfect example …

Comprehensive R&D, leading-edge design, use of the finest materials and sophisticated manufacturing and quality control techniques provide vastly superior performance for each component part at every stage of design.

Paradigm

Special Edition speakers boast G-PAL™gold-plated pure-aluminum

domes; S-PAL

™

satin-anodized pure-aluminum bass/midrange cones; and Reference quality crossover networks with ideal response characteristics. Rest assured, in this price range no other speakers feature the stunning Reference quality of your new Paradigm

Special Edition speakers.

Your Paradigm

Special Edition subwoofer boasts a 10-inch driver powered by an advanced Class-D amplifier capable of delivering 900 watts of Dynamic Peak power and 300 watts RMS Sustained power. Proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms shape frequency response ensuring accurate, consistent, musical bass, without distortion.

However, even when the finest subwoofer is perfectly positioned in a room, dimensions, dead spots, archways, even furniture can turn the room into an additional instrument playing alongside musicians or movie scores with unwanted coloration and resonance. Bass can sound boomy with poor definition. You have the ideal subwoofer, but in a less than ideal room!

You can pad the walls, trap the corners, remove the furniture, or you can let Paradigm's critically acclaimed Perfect Bass Kit

™

(PBK)

(sold separately)

tackle the problem. Based on research conducted by the National Research Council, PBK analyzes the sub's response in your room situation then sets about perfecting that response through scientific calculation! Real digital room correction for real life situations.

(See dealer for more information.)

Your Paradigm®Special Edition system will provide you with stunning highend sound and unparalleled listening pleasure for years to come. However, to achieve all of the exceptional sound the system is capable of providing requires care in installation and operation. Please take the time to read this manual and follow all instructions.

Visit our website at www.paradigm.com for more information on the technology behind your new Paradigm

Special Edition system. If you have additional questions, contact your Authorized Paradigm®dealer or visit the Q&A page in the Tech Support section of our website.

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

THE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY BEHIND YOUR NEW PARADIGM®SPECIAL EDITION SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFER

Paradigm®Special Edition High-Frequency Drive Units

•G-PAL™Gold-Plated Pure-Aluminum Domes with ferro-fluid cooling

• Elevated Tweeter and Advanced WaveGuide™Chassis

• Dual Magnets and Advanced Motor Structures

• High-Power Apical

™

Formers

• High-Pressure Die-Cast Aluminum Chassis

• 'Reference' quality crossovers

Paradigm

Special Edition Bass / Midrange

and Bass Drive Units

•S-PAL™Satin-Anodized Pure-Aluminum Bass / Midrange Cones

• Mineral-Filled Polypropylene Bass Cones

• Satin-Anodized Solid-Aluminum Phase Plugs (bass / midrange)

• Die-Cast Aluminum or GRIP

™

Glass-Reinforced Injection-Molded

Polymer chassis

• Advanced Santoprene®Rubber Surrounds

• Oversize Magnet / Motor Structures

Paradigm

Special Edition Subwoofer

• Bass-Reflex Single-Driver Design

• Converts to Down- or Forward-Firing Driver Orientation

• 10˝ Driver with CAP™Carbon / Aramid Fiber Polypropylene Cone

• Advanced High-Power Class-D Amplifier: 900 watts Dynamic Peak / 300 watts RMS Sustained

• Paradigm's Proprietary Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Design

• Comprehensive Range of Input and Control Facilities

• USB Port for use with the Critically Acclaimed Paradigm Perfect Bass Kit™(PBK) Room Correction System

(sold separately, see dealer)

Paradigm®Special Edition Finishes

• Paradigm

Reference quality: – Rosenut – Black Gloss

Special Edition

ROSENUT ACAJOU

HIGH-GLOSS BLACK NOIR TRÈS BRILLANT

HIGH-GLOSS WHITE BLANC TRÈS BRILLANT

1 PIECE

Special Edition

ROSENUT

ACAJOU

HIGH-GLOSS BLACK

NOIR TRÈS BRILLANT

HIGH-GLOSS WHITE

BLANC TRÈS BRILLANT

1 PIECE

Special Edition

ROSENUT

ACAJOU

HIGH-GLOSS BLACK

NOIR TRÈS BRILLANT

HIGH-GLOSS WHITE

BLANC TRÈS BRILLANT

1 PIECE

Special Edition

ROSENUT

ACAJOU

HIGH-GLOSS BLACK

NOIR TRÈS BRILLANT

HIGH-GLOSS WHITE

BLANC TRÈS BRILLANT

1 PIECE

INSTALLING OPTIONAL SPIKES FOR FLOORSTANDING SE 3

Special Edition

pecial Edition

RÈS

BRI

RÈS

RIL

PIEC

Special Edition

JOU

GH-GLOSS

TRÈS

GH-GLOSS

WHI

ANC

PIEC

UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS: FLOORSTANDING SE 3

Fig. 1

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 5

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

Fig. 4b

Fig. 4a

Fig. 3

ATTACHING BUMPER PADS: BOOKSHELF/STAND-MOUNTED SE 1

(included)

Side View

Fig. 2 Bottom View

NOTE: If speakers are used on Paradigm

high-performance speaker stands, bumper pads should be applied directly to the top plate of the stand.

Fig. 8 SE 1 and SE Center

Fig. 9 SE 3 only

Fig. 10 Bi-wiring: SE 3 only

Fig. 11 Bi-amping: SE 3 only

SPEAKER CONNECTION

Leave jumper bars

attached for standard

connection

STANDARD CONNECTION

CONVERTING SUBWOOFER DRIVER CONFIGURATION: DOWN-FIRING TO FRONT-FIRING

✔

✗ ✗

CAUTION!

The only screws to be removed are the hexagonal screws in each corner

(as

shown )

Fig. 12

Step 1

Out-of-the-box: Down-firing configuration

Final front-firing configuration

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

SUB-IN LFE-IN

Fig. 15

SUBWOOFER CONNECTION

SUBWOOFER PLACEMENT

Fig. 14

Fig. 13a Fig. 13b

Fig. 13c

Break-In

Although Paradigm

Special Edition speakers sound great “out of the carton” they will sound even better when broken in. Allow them to operate for several hours before you listen critically.

High-frequency drivers use ferro-fluid that can thicken at temperatures below 10° C (50° F). If your speakers have been transported or stored in the cold let them warm to room temperature before use.

Cleaning

Do not use a strong or abrasive cleaner on your speakers. Clean them with a damp soft cloth but do not get them wet. Do not place wet objects such as drinking glasses or potted plants on top of the speakers. If allowed to soak in, even a small amount of water may permanently damage the speaker enclosure.

Speaker Grilles

Paradigm®Special Edition speakers are meant to be played with their grilles on. The grilles are designed to minimize edge diffraction—the sound reflections that occur at the outer edges of the front of the enclosure which interfere with the drivers’ primary sound output.

Isolation Spikes and Rubber Feet (Fig. 1)

Isolation spikes and protective rubber feet are included with your Paradigm

Special Edition (SE 3) floorstanding speakers. We highly recommend installing the spikes as they will improve the sound of your speakers by isolating them from the floor. The most convenient time to install the spikes is during the unpacking process. Rubber feet can be used, if desired, to cap the spikes to prevent damaging hardwood floors. To install spikes and caps, refer to

the Unpacking Instructions at the beginning of this manual.

Optional Paradigm

Speaker Stands

We recommend placing your Paradigm

Special Edition (SE 1) bookshelf

speakers on Paradigm®high-performance speaker stands

(sold separately,

see dealer)

or bookshelves to raise the high-frequency drivers to ear level

thereby ensuring the best performance possible.

Bumper Pads (Fig. 2)

Paradigm

Special Edition (SE 1) bookshelf speakers come with four rubber bumper pads. To lend added stability and prevent vibrations from coloring sound output, these pads must be used if you are placing your speakers on Paradigm®speaker stands. The pads may also be used for additional stability when placing speakers on a bookshelf or table.

Wall Mounting

(not shown)

Threaded inserts were pre-drilled into the back of Paradigm®Special Edition (SE 1) bookshelf models to facilitate wall mounting, if desired. When wall mounting you must

use only Paradigm®MB-60 wall-mounting brackets

(sold

separately, see dealer)

. See the Caution Note below:

YOUR NEW SPEAKERS

The ‘Watts’ (W) rating indicated on the rear panel of your Paradigm®Special Edition subwoofer is the typical AC power the subwoofer will draw. However, the actual wattage draw will vary with the bass content of the program material.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

The wood screws included with Paradigm®MB-60 brackets MUST NOT be used to mount your Paradigm Special Edition (SE 1) speakers on the wall. Use the two screws and two washers included in the box with the speaker. Failure to follow this instruction could result in damage to property or personal injury.

You must also use the safety straps included with MB-60 brackets as secondary restraints. Follow the instructions included with the brackets to correctly attach straps to speaker and wall.

Paradigm®Special Edition 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.

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 Paradigm® Special Edition 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).

PREVENTING SPEAKER DAMAGE

Paradigm®Special Edition speakers are designed to provide exceptional sound in a wide variety of domestic settings. However, it is important to note that listening room construction, dimensions and furnishings all play a part in the quality of sound you will ultimately achieve. Your listening room will impose its own character on the performance capabilities of any speaker system. The extra care you take in correctly positioning the speakers will result in greater listening enjoyment. Keep the following guidelines in mind when deciding on the best speaker placement:

• 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 acoustic problems.

Even when your subwoofer is perfectly positioned, the room can still have a dramatic impact on performance. The critically acclaimed Paradigm

Perfect Bass Kit

™

(PBK) room correction system

(sold separately, see

dealer)

is a wonderful tool to help you achieve optimal bass in your room.

Additional details on the PBK can be found on page 14.

ROOM ACOUSTICS

SPEAKER PLACEMENT

Paradigm®Special Edition front speakers are designed to allow flexible placement while providing a very large window of sound throughout your listening room. To ensure the best performance possible, we strongly recommend you observe the following placement guidelines:

Accurate Timbre (Fig. 3)

For the most accurate and natural timbre, place front speakers so that their high-frequency drivers are approximately at ear level.

As mentioned earlier, placing Paradigm

Special Edition (SE 1) bookshelf

models on Paradigm

speaker stands

(sold separately)

or bookshelves raises their high-frequency drivers to approximately ear level, ensuring the best performance possible.

Balanced Bass Performance (Figs. 4a, 4b)

Placing front speakers in corners will over-emphasize bass and reduce overall clarity. Avoid corner placement (Fig. 4a). Position front speakers 8 in (20 cm) or more from the wall behind the speaker and as much as possible from either side wall, as shown in Fig. 4b. This will ensure better bass performance and optimal midrange clarity.

Optimal Imaging (Fig. 5)

Measure the distance from your main listening area to the front speakers (“X”). For optimal imaging, place speakers from three-quarters of that distance up to that same distance from each other (3/4 of “X” to “X”). To further optimize imaging, turn speakers slightly inward so they point toward the listening position with their axes crossing just behind it.

On-Wall Mounting

(not shown)

Follow the directions for placement given under “Optimal Imaging” above, and use the mounting instructions provided with your Paradigm

MB-60 on-wall

mounting brackets

(sold separately, see dealer)

to safely and securely mount

your speakers on the wall. REMINDER: Before wall-mounting, read the Caution Note provided on

page 10 of this manual.

FRONT SPEAKERS

The Paradigm®Special Edition (SE Center) center channel is designed to cover a large, wide listening area, allowing listeners throughout the room to hear center-channel information with unprecedented clarity and intelligibility.

Placing your center-channel speaker above the TV will ensure the best possible clarity and intelligibility. Position the speaker flush with the front of the TV or speaker shelf to minimize unwanted sound reflections. Make sure the center-channel speaker is approximately the same distance away from the primary listening position as your front speakers. (Some A/V receivers and processors can electronically adjust for differences in distance.)

Surround/rear speakers reproduce the ambience and sound effects critical to the full dimension of multichannel music and movies. The Special Edition (S1) bookshelf model is ideal for use as a surround/rear speaker.

Refer to Fig. 7 in the pictorial guide to placement at the front of this manual for correct positioning of surround/rear speakers.

NOTE: The S1's are direct-radiating speakers, for optimal surround-sound performance keep them well away from the listening area.

CENTER-CHANNEL (Fig. 6)

SURROUND/REAR SPEAKERS (Fig. 7)

For optimum sound, the use of high-quality speaker cable is essential. The chart to the right identifies the minimum gauge requirements for various lengths.

(See dealer for more information.)

Your Paradigm®Special Edition speakers’ binding posts can be used with banana, pin or spade connectors, as well as with bare wire. Tighten the posts firmly by hand—do not over tighten!

Correct polarity (or phase) is critical for proper soundstage imaging and bass performance. Connect one speaker at a time to ensure proper connection of every channel. The red (+) amplifier terminal must be connected to the red (+) speaker terminal. The same applies to the black (–) terminals. Make sure

all wires are firmly fastened. Repeat this connection procedure for each speaker in your system.

NOTE: If you hear a distinct lack of bass and a dislocated stereo image then one or more of your speakers may have been connected out of phase (their polarity is reversed). Re-check to ensure that each speakers’ cable is connected with correct polarity: red (+) to red (+) and black (–) to black (–).

SPEAKER CONNECTION

CONNECTION FOR PARADIGM®SPECIAL EDITION (SE 1) BOOKSHELF MODEL AND CENTER CHANNEL (Fig. 8)

Your Paradigm® Special Edition (SE 3) floorstanding speakers have two sets of input terminals connected externally with jumper bars. The speaker can be bi-wired or bi-amplified to achieve even better performance.

Standard Connection (Fig. 9)

For standard connection, leave the jumper bars attached

and connect using

either set of input terminals.

Bi-wire Connection (Fig. 10)

Bi-wiring can improve clarity and openness, with less grain and more solidity to the bass. Two cables are required for each speaker that you bi-wire.

Bi-amp Connection

IMPORTANT! When bi-amping, always use amplifiers with identical gain. If uniform amplifier gain is not maintained the speaker-to-speaker balance will be incorrect when vertically bi-amped, or the speaker system’s frequency balance will be incorrect when horizontally bi-amped. To prevent problems, use identical amplifiers (Brand and Model). Make sure they are operating in the same non-bridged or bridged mode.

Passive bi-amping offers a dramatic improvement in clarity, openness and detail, with much better bass solidity and definition. The presentation of music and movie soundtracks is simply more intelligible and transparent.

With passive bi-amping, the speaker’s internal passive crossovers remain connected. An external electronic crossover is not required and cannot be used (there is no direct electrical access to individual drive units). This saves expense and setup difficulties. Passive bi-amping optimizes your speaker to achieve the best possible high-end performance.

To bi-amplify, two power amplifiers are required. Connection can be either vertical or horizontal.

Horizontal Bi-amplification (Fig. 11) dedicates one amplifier to your speakers' mid/low-frequency inputs and another to their high-frequency inputs. This configuration can maintain better clarity when listening at loud levels—if low-frequency demands cause amplifier clipping, distortion will still be kept away from high-frequency drivers. Connect your speakers to one amplifier at a time.

Vertical Bi-amplification

(not shown)

dedicates one amplifier to each speaker. This configuration provides complete channel separation which optimizes your system’s imaging ability. Connect your speakers to one amplifier at a time.

LENGTH DIAMETER GAUGE

Under 4.5 m (15 feet) 1.3 mm (0.05 in) 16 awg

Under 9 m (30 feet) 1.6 mm (0.06 in) 14 awg

Over 9 m (30 feet) 2.0 mm (0.08 in) 12 awg

MINIMUM GAUGE REQUIREMENTS

CONNECTION OPTIONS FOR THE PARADIGM®SPECIAL EDITION (SE 3) FLOORSTANDING MODEL

Turn your amplifier(s) OFF before connecting your speakers. This will avoid damage which could result from accidental shorting of speaker cables.

DO NOT attempt to bi-wire or bi-amplify unless you have removed the jumper bars.

+ 30 hidden pages

Paradigm SE, SE 1, SE Center, SE 3, SE SUB Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual