Paradigm SUB 12, SUB 15 User Manual

H

igh-end gear has a reputation for being outrageously priced, but don’t be fooled.

Sometimes, even the priciest gear delivers performance that is nothing to write
home about. Today, more than ever, the Price-to-Performance ratio of a product must
remain top of mind—and that’s where Paradigm shines; why we have been voted #1 for
19 years*. Our SUB 12 and SUB 15 are perfect examples …

A natural evolution in our lineup of award-winning subwoofers, they benefit from our
years of research into the mechanics of producing louder, lower-frequency, lower­distortion bass. In fact, the three ‘L’s’ are the driving force behind our ongoing commitment
to refining and improving the performance of our subwoofers.

The unique amplifier/driver configuration in SUB 12 and SUB 15 allows these subs to play
louder and lower than any other subwoofers in this price range, and still cost less! And
unlike many designs on the market, not a hint of low-frequency extension or output
was sacrificed to keep their size compatible with today’s living spaces. A comprehensive
range of input and control facilities make setting up the subwoofers a snap.

Finally, since the room itself (dimensions, dead spots, archways, even furniture!) can
have a dramatic impact when even the finest subwoofers are perfectly positioned,
Paradigm also offers a solution for the problems of the room! SUB 12 and SUB 15 are
designed to be used with the critically acclaimed Paradigm

®

Perfect Bass Kit** (PBK-1™)

which adjusts for the room’s negative effects on a subwoofer.

*Rated #1 Price/Value by the distinguished publication Inside Track.
**Paradigm

®

Perfect Bass Kit (PBK-1™) sold separately. Details on page 27.

“The three ‘L’s’ are the driving force behind Paradigm’s

subwoofer research … Louder, Lower-Frequency,
Lower-Distortion bass.”

– Paradigm Design Team

15

SUB 12 AND SUB 15

High-Excursion Bass Drivers

These proprietary drivers were designed, engineered and manufactured by
Paradigm in North America: 12˝ (308 mm) in the SUB 12 and 15˝ (380 mm)
in the SUB 15. With unwanted resonances, standing waves and micro-distortions
non-existent, these subwoofers display incredible definition, awe-inspiring
dynamics, lightning-fast speed and gut-wrenching power.

• Mineral-Filled Co-Polymer Polypropylene Cones with RCR

™

Resonance

Control Ribs:

Engineered for very high power, the high-stiffness design is intrinsically low
in distortion, allowing the bass cone to respond instantly to the starts and
stops of even the leading edge of changing bass notes.

• Large High-Pressure Die-Cast Aluminum Chassis

• Dual-Voice-Coil Design! 3-Inch (76 mm) Aluminum Voice Coils:

Wound on high-temperature Kapton

®

formers in an oversize configuration,

the multi-layer voice coils provide exceptional linearity and motor strength.

• Advanced Multi-Layer Polyurethane-Composite Elliptical Surrounds

and Dual Oversize Spiders:

Optimized using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a highly advanced tool for
component design, the surrounds’ multi-layer composite matrix, with its high­tech surface treatment, encourages staggering peak-to-peak excursion—with
exceptional linearity and cone control.

• Large Aluminum Shorting Rings:

Situated around the voice coil, the rings not only improve linearity and heat
dissipation, they also help reduce voice coil inductance and distortion.

• Proprietar y AVS

™

Airflow Ventilation System Cooling:

Large built-in ribs increase the heat dissipation surface, providing forced­air cooling during large musical transients and chassis convection cooling
at all other times.

• Extruded-Aluminum Center Heatsinks:

Provide internal forced-air cooling to drive heat away from the FEA-optimized
pole piece, increasing power handling while reducing distortion.

• 35-lb (15.8 kg) Magnet Assemblies Boast Balanced Field Geom etry:

FEA-optimized to produce a powerful high-density symmetrical magnetic
forcefield while minimizing inductive distortion. Transient and phase response,
power handling and output linearity are all exceptional.

Input and Control Facilities

Input Facilities:

Low-Level Input – RCA: Allows connection from the

RCA (S/E) Left and Right or Sub/LFE Outputs of your
Preamp/Processor or other suitable low-level source.

Low-Level Input – Balanced XLR: Allows connection
from the Balanced XLR Sub/LFE Output of your Preamp/
Processor or other suitable low-level source. This input
provides the lowest noise and distortion. It is particularly
important for long cable runs where noise and distortion
could degrade performance.

Control Facilities:

Auto On/Off: Eliminates the need for a manually operated

power switch. Turns the subwoofer on when there is an
input signal. If no signal is present, after a period of time
it turns off.

Trigger On/Off: Allows the subwoofer’s power on/off to
be controlled by components that have a trigger output
(preamp/processor, etc.).

Subwoofer Cut-Off with Bypass Option: (Continuously
variable 35 Hz – 150 Hz) Controls the sub’s upper frequency
cut-off and can be set to match the low-frequency roll-off
characteristics of your system’s speakers.

Bypass Option allows you to bypass the built-in cut-off
control to let your preamp/processor’s or receiver’s internal
bass management provide the crossover function.

Subwoofer Level Control: Balances the subwoofer level
with that of the other speakers in your system.

Phase Alignment: (Continuously variable 0° – 180°)
Accurately synchronizes your subwoofer and front
speakers through their bass frequency overlap region.

USB Port. Allows for:
– Connection of the optional Paradigm®Perfect Bass K it

(PBK-1

™

), sold separately;

– Future upgrades to subwoofer software.

16

Shown in Rosenut: SUB 15