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Paradigm SUB 1 and SUB 2 subwoofers -- six drivers on three sides for buzz-free bass

by Steven Kim posted Oct 2nd 2009 at 1:16PM

Paradigm Reference Signature SUB 2
Paradigm doesn't move models in and out of its Reference Signature lineup very often, and the SUB 25 was introduced less than a year ago. Progress never stops, though, and the SUB 25 has been displaced as top dog by the SUB 2 and its "little" brother SUB 1. These new designs feature six drivers (10-inches in the SUB 2, 8-inches for the SUB 1) arranged in three radially symmetric stacked pairs -- the end result being a lot of effective radiating area with in-cabinet forces that balance each other out. In the real world, that means more boom and less buzz, especially with the kilowatt range Class D amps Paradigm includes in these subs. Yeah, we want one too, but even with just six drivers this isn't going to come cheap. The $3,500 price tag on the SUB 1 is comparable to the outgoing SUB 25, but the SUB 2 will sink your wallet to a $7,500 crush depth. Pick yourself up off the floor and read the full release after the break if you're interested.

Continue reading Paradigm SUB 1 and SUB 2 subwoofers -- six drivers on three sides for buzz-free bass

How do you like your TiVo, with bleeps & bloops or without?

by Richard Lawler posted May 18th 2009 at 9:19AM


This isn't one of our polls but it's a worth question: TiVo users, do you leave your unit's distinctive bleeps and bloops on, or turn them off? Our friends at TV Squad want to know, claiming that once they turned off the menu's audio cues the DVR seemed hollow and lonely. So let us know if you keep the sounds on, Sex & the City style, even if it's just to lord them over your cable DVR owning friends, stuck timeshifting in silence.

Paradigm SUB 25 subwoofer hands-on

by Steven Kim posted Apr 11th 2009 at 2:17PM Featured Story

Paradigm Signature SUB 25 subwoofer hands-on
The Paradigm Signature SUB 25 looked small enough in the back of the freight truck, but by the time it was at our front door, all 150-pounds of it seemed appropriately intimidating. If you're fortunate enough to have one of these $4,000 beasts delivered to you, we recommend you get a friend to help with setup. All the better if that friend happens to be an electrician -- have them install 15A, 250V service to the living room so you can make use of that other power cord and test out the 3,000-Watt amplifier spec. The SUB 25 is menacingly handsome in glossy black and built like a tank; unfortunately, the grille is also fixed, so no pics of the 15-inch driver. Around back are RCA and XLR inputs and adjustment controls, but we'd recommend you spring an extra $300 for the Perfect Bass Kit and automatically get your SUB 25 dialed in via its USB port. Even though it's nowhere near cheap, that doesn't mean the SUB 25 can't present value to well-heeled bassheads, and we'll try to suss that out over the coming weeks. Feel free to peruse the photos after the break while we grab some ibuprofen for our aching backs and alert the neighbors (not necessarily in that order).

Continue reading Paradigm SUB 25 subwoofer hands-on

Jim Thiel puts his name to Signature Edition CS2.4 speakers

by Steven Kim posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 8:53PM

Thiel CS2.4SE speakers
One thing you learn quickly in gadgetdom is that the word "Signature" in a model name is code for "wallet-busting cost." So if you were thinking of picking up some Thiel CS2.4 speakers but worried they weren't high end enough for you, have your chauffeur drop you off at your Thiel dealer so you can get in line for one of the 150 pairs of the CS2.4SE (Signature Edition) models. Ultra-fine grade boutique capacitors are hand plucked from the bush for the crossovers, Thiel's usual top notch bird's eye maple cabinetry gets treated to a special Vermillion Maple stain, stainless steel fasteners hold the drivers to the front baffle and milled aluminum outriggers hold the whole shebang steady for display. And of course, the company isn't fooling around with the name -- Jim Thiel's autograph is laser etched on an aluminum plate around back. Yours for only $8,000 per pair, but you can check the PR release for free.

Continue reading Jim Thiel puts his name to Signature Edition CS2.4 speakers

The HD Guru puts Pioneer's Pro-111FD plasma to the test

by Steven Kim posted Jul 9th 2008 at 12:42AM

Pioneer Pro-Elite plasma
You've got to respect the effort that Gary Merson, a.k.a. the HD Guru, puts into his TV reviews. Thorough and technically savvy, he relentlessly exposes the weaknesses of displays passing through his lab. His latest review is a showdown between two 50-inch plasmas vying for the top, the new Pioneer Pro-111FD and the Panasonic TH-50PZ850U. We've long heard about these 9th generation Pioneer plasmas, the last to come off of Pioneer production lines, so our eyes perked up at the comparison. We won't spoil the outcome of the "two plasmas enter, one plasma leaves" showdown (and that pesky $1500 price difference between the two units is significant), but we will say that the Pioneer lived up to the Kuro name by displaying blacks too dark for the Guru to reliably measure with his test gear. Oh, and the 10th generation promises to be darker still.

Pioneer intros 2008 Signature Series Elite KURO monitors

by Darren Murph posted May 7th 2008 at 9:00AM Breaking News


Not content with just busting out a new pair of Elite KURO plasmas, Pioneer has separately introduced four 1080p Pro models for those with (even more) exquisite tastes and deep wallets to back it up. The whole lot enjoys the firm's highly touted Optimum Mode, which "simultaneously monitors video and room light conditions" and then makes the most appropriate adjustments based on what it senses, and "industry leading" calibration features. As for the 50-inch PRO-111FD ($5,000) and PRO-151FD ($6,500), you can expect a bolstered two year warranty and a ship date to be determined, while the Signature Series PRO-101FD (50-inch) / PRO-141FD (60-inch) units will arrive in October and August (respectively) with prices not yet disclosed.





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