The Best Subwoofer in the World, Period.
The most difficult task Paradigm had in designing SUB 2 was not just to have it play lower and louder than any other subwoofer in the world, but to do so in a size that wouldn’t dominate the average living room, and in a cabinet that could be mistaken for a very fine piece of furniture.
And then there are the mind-boggling specs. SUB 2 plumbs the depths to 7 Hz with bloodcurdling output: 112 dB at 10 Hz, 126 dB at 60 Hz (in room). Connected to a 240-volt line, SUB 2 delivers 4,500 watts of continuous RMS Sustained power and a Frankenstein 9,000 watts of Dynamic Peak power through its unique Power Factor Correction system. Talk about bringing your music and movies to life!
With not one, but six cutting-edge drivers in each sub, transient information is conveyed with pristine clarity and perfect precision. Dynamics come through with lightning-fast speed and a power so shattering that it must be heard to be believed. Bass reproduction is eerily accurate and detailed, in large part a result of the unique Vibration-Cancelling Design Architecture (VCDA).
Vibration-Cancelling Design Architecture
Physics trumps mechanics with a little help from Paradigm. Typically, subwoofer enclosures contain one large driver. As that driver moves back and forth, the cabinet can vibrate which leads to smeared response, bass that lacks clarity and definition. Well-executed cabinet design, like that on Paradigm Reference subwoofers, typically includes sophisticated and extensive physical bracing inside the enclosure.
So why, when Paradigm puts six drivers in a single cabinet without significant physical bracing, does a martini set on top, while the subs are playing, barely elicit a ripple? Designed, engineered and manufactured by Paradigm in North America, SUB 2 subwoofers are movers, not shakers… massive air movement, massive output, virtually vibration-free.
Six identical, perfectly balanced state-of-the-art drivers are radially aligned (two on each side) inside the cabinet. As opposing forces of equal magnitude, the powerful vibration-reaction forces effectively cancel each other out. Barely a ripple disturbs the martini placed on top of the cabinet, such is the degree to which unwanted, distortion-inducing vibrations are reduced.
These Subs are Movers, not Shakers
Mineral-Filled Co-Polymer Polypropylene Cones. A 30% mineral content has introduced additional cone stiffness for a measurable increase in repeatability and consistency. Response is instantaneous—low, loud, fast and tight, unveiling layers and layers of low-frequency detail, with consistently perfect pace.
RCR™ Resonance Control Ribs. NLC™ surround technology was not required in SUB 2 since the six 10″ drivers already allow for larger surrounds. The cones’ resonance control ribbing simply reinforces the new VC design architecture.
Magnetic Pole Piece. FEA-optimized, tooled to support the extreme excursion.
Extruded Aluminium Centre Heatsink. Provides internal convection and forced-air cooling to wick heat away from the high-velocity low-turbulence pole piece, increasing power handling and reducing distortion.
High-Pressure Die-Cast Aluminium Chassis with AVS™ Airflow Ventilation System Cooling. Large built-in ribs increase the heat dissipation surface providing forced-air cooling during large musical transients and chassis convection cooling at all other times. CNC-machined to ensure a precision fit.
3″ (76 mm) 10-Layer Long-Travel Aluminium Voice Coils. Wound on high-temperature composite polyamide formers in an oversize configuration, the coils provide exceptional stability and support for the extremely high cone excursion.
Computer-Optimized Ceramic (Hard Ferrite) Magnet Assemblies with Balanced Field Geometry. Using Finite Element Analysis, the magnet structures were optimized to yield the most powerful output in a Signature subwoofer to date. Transient and phase-response are exceptional with superb power handling and output linearity.
State-of-the-Art “Kilomax” Amplifier
SUB 2’s features a state-of-the-art Ultra-Class-D™ 3-Kilowatt amplifier platform that was designed, engineered, and manufactured by Paradigm in North America. This is the most powerful subwoofer amplifier we (or anyone else for that matter) have ever produced. We call it the “Kilomax” design because when connected to a 240-volt line, it delivers a monster 4,500 watts of RMS Continuous power and a Frankenstein 9,000 watts of Dynamic Peak power.
9,000 Watts of Dynamic Peak Power
No Power Transformer. The output stage is Direct-Connected™ to the power line to provide maximum power.
Advanced Output Stage. Increases switching speed and efficiency. Unlike conventional Class-D designs which use the slow built-in diodes of the output MOSFETS, our Ultra-Class-D™ design steers circulating currents to ultra-fast diodes (ten times faster!).
Opto-Coupled Inputs. Offer better isolation and lower noise.
Short-Circuit Protection. Reacts within 10 μs.
Paradigm’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP). Sophisticated mathematical algorithms “shape” response, ensuring accurate, consistent and musical bass without distortion, even when the sub is playing at the loudest level.
Comprehensive Heat Dissipation System. The robust 1/8˝ (3.2 mm) thick aluminium circuit board is overlaid with insulated metal substrates. Using aluminium rather than a fiberglass base, while more expensive, encourages exceptionally efficient cooling. Even more robust than ceramic, the aluminium substrates increase power density, minimize thermal impedance and conduct heat more efficiently while also offering greater mechanical durability. FR-4-rated circuit board designs typically require larger heatsinks. In SUB 2, a combination of aluminium and overlaid metal substrates allowed for a heatsink much reduced in size.
Power Factor Correction (PFC). PFC shapes the line current so that it is sinusoidal and continuous in time. This allows the maximum amount of power (95%) to be drawn and with far less noise on the line. To compare: A unit without PFC draws only 60 to 70% of the available power since the line current is switched on and off by the input rectifier (a noise-inducing process in itself!) at twice the frequency. Current flows at the peak of the line voltage only, effectively choking the line.
Crafted in Canada
Designed, engineered, and fully Crafted in Canada, by people who love great audio (just like you). From the precise workmanship of the non-resonant cabinets to their beautiful premium-grade finishes, Prestige is truly hand-built for performance.
| DESIGN | Hexagonal cabinet with multiple high-excursion drivers radially aligned in a Vibration-Cancelling Design Architecture, patented built-in Ultra-Class-D™ power amplifier with Power Factor Correction, sealed enclosure, PBK interface. NOTE: Due to the incredibly high power and tremendous output the SUB 2’s grilles are non-removable. |
| AMPLIFIER FEATURES | Auto-On / Off, Trigger On / Off, soft clipping, electrical shorting protection, thermal protection SUB 2’s Universal Input Power feature allows the subwoofer to operate connected to any line voltage between 108 volts and 265 volts. In order to achieve maximum output, connect to a 240-volt line. (See Dealer for additional information.) |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE ON-AXIS | ±3 dB 9Hz – 260Hz |
| ROOM CORRECTION | Anthem Room Correction (ARC®) (included PBK kits works with ARC Genesis software) |
| LOW FREQUENCY EXTENSION | 7 Hz (DIN) |
| LOW FREQUENCY DRIVER | Six 254-mm (10 in) RCR™ mineral-filled co-polymer polypropylene cones, FEA-optimized overmolded thermoplastic foam-surrounds, 76-mm (3 in) ten-layer long-excursion voice coils, high-temperature composite Nomex® formers, dual advanced spiders, 25.2-lb (10.5 kg) hard ferrite magnet / motor structure, massive center heatsink and oversize pole piece, AVS™ die-cast heatsink chassis |
| SENSITIVITY ROOM / ANECHOIC | 100 mV mono / |
| IMPEDANCE | RCA: 10k ohms; XLR: 20k ohms |
| WEIGHT | 230 lbs. (106 kg) |
| FINISHES | Piano Black, Black Ash |
| LOW PASS FILTER FREQUENCY | Variable 35 Hz – 150 Hz; Bypass Option |
| SUB / SAT PHASE ALIGNMENT | Variable 0° – 180° |
| INPUTS | RCA (S/E) Left and Right or Sub-Out / LFE or Balanced XLR. From Sub-Out / LFE-Out of preamp, processor or other line-level source |
| DIMENSIONS HXWXD (INCLUDES GRILLES AND FEET) | 24.5″ × 23.75″ × 22.375″ (62.2cm × 60.3cm × 56.8cm) |
| AMPLIFIER CONNECTED TO A 240-VOLT OUTLET | 9,000 watts Dynamic Peak / 4,500 watts RMS |
| SPIKE/INSERT THREAD (THREAD SIZE/THREADS PER INCH) | 0.3125″-18 |
