Performance & Value

To produce a loudspeaker that meets our standards for performance and value, we took complete control of the manufacturing process, an unprecedented move at this price point. In our state-of-the-art North American facility, we have produced a loudspeaker that defies convention; a homegrown loudspeaker that benefits from innovations found throughout the Paradigm family of loudspeakers.

Patented Perforated Phase-Aligning (PPA™) Tweeter and Midrange Lens Technology

Distinctive perforated lens in front of the tweeter and midrange drivers increase and smooth output without coloring the sound, while also protecting the drivers from getting damaged.

Patented Active Ridge Technology (ART™) Surrounds

Premier features Paradigm’s patented Active Ridge Technology (ART) surrounds, made in-house and overmolded directly onto each woofer and midrange cone. This design achieves greater excursion, for a 3dB gain in output and 50% reduction in distortion. Crafted from injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer, ART surrounds are more durable and more reliable, ensuring a lifetime of superior sound.

A crucial component for a cinematic experience

Paradigm's Premier 500C center channel puts you in the action by delivering clear dialogue and engaging center channel surround sound effects. As part of Paradigm's Premier Series, it offers an impressive level of sonic prowess at a price much lower than you might expect. For a complete Premier home theater setup, you can grab a pair of Premier towers, two Premier 100B bookshelf speakers, and a Defiance V12 subwoofer.

Careful research and precise engineering

The amount of research Paradigm conducts on sound and speaker design always impresses me. Take the ART™ (Active Ridge Technology) surround used in this speaker's midrange and bass drivers. In studying how woofer cones and surrounds interact, Paradigm found that the spot where the two meet can cause some unwanted distortion, particularly at high excursion points. They discovered that by "overmolding" the cone to the surround, they could get 50% more excursion and far less distortion than traditional surrounds.

Both the patented 1" X-PAL pure aluminum done tweeter and the 4" midrange driver just below it use Paradigm's PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens as a refined phase plug to block out a wide range of unwanted out-of-phase frequencies, for smooth, uncolored sound. Flanking the tweeter and midrange are two 5-1/2" bass drivers made of carbon-infused polypropylene that give voices and effects some extra punch.

The cabinet is made of 3/4" non-resonant MDF, and it's tapered to reduce internal reflections and resonances, leading to cleaner, more accurate sound. The front baffle where the tweeter and mid/bass are mounted is an inch thick to reduce diffraction (a form of distortion) and to further control resonance.

Crafted in Canada

Premier Series speakers are designed, engineered, and made in Paradigm’s state-of-the-art 225,000 ft2 Canadian facility. We chose heavy duty, non-resonant 3/4-inch MDF, with optimally placed interior bracing, and reinforced front baffles to ensure an audio performance beyond any other in this price range. Smooth front baffles, enhanced with 1-inch MDF, reduce diffraction and improve sound radiation characteristics. You can feel the Premier build quality that comes from true handcrafted manufacturing. Beautiful, furniture-grade finishes complete this new standard of performance and value.

Partnered with the NRC

Paradigm is partnered with Canada’s world-renowned NRC in ongoing research to reveal the true nature of sound and human hearing. Findings influence design and performance specs, resulting in a uniquely realistic listening experience, backed by sound science.

Product highlights:

• 1" X-PAL pure aluminum dome tweeter with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens
• 4" black anodized X-PAL midrange driver with PPA lens
• two 5-1/2" carbon-infused polypropylene bass drivers
• frequency response: 73-25,000 Hz (±3dB)
• power handling: up to 120 watts RMS
• sensitivity: 92 dB
• impedance: 8 ohms
• acoustic suspension (sealed) speaker enclosure
• made in Paradigm's state-of-the-art Canadian facility
• magnetic grille included
• dual 5-way binding posts allow bi-amping or bi-wiring
• furniture-grade gloss black finish
• dimensions: 20-1/16"W x 7-1/2"H x 12-11/16"D
• weight: 26 lbs.
• warranty: 5 years

FINISHES

• Gloss Black
• Gloss White
• Espresso Grain MK 2

What's in the box:

• Center-channel loudspeaker
• Grille
• 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
• 4 Rubber feet
• Owner's Manual
• Online Registration Card