Paradigm Founder 120H Review
If the allure of Paradigm’s flagship Persona 9H has captivated your auditory senses but the price tag seems daunting, the Founder 120H may be your solution. This more affordable sibling carries much of the same impressive technology and performance, rooted in the same design philosophy.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Paradigm Persona 9H earned rave reviews, cementing its status among the elite “super speakers.” However, the nearly €40,000 price tag makes it accessible only to a fortunate few. Paradigm’s co-founder Scott Bagby, alongside his son John, returned to helm the company in 2019, driving the ethos of “luxury you can afford.” This mission gave birth to the Founder series, which aims to deliver high-end audio performance at more attainable prices.
Founder 120H: Affordable High-End Technology
Standing at 1.16 meters, the Founder 120H is priced at €11,550 per pair, making it significantly more accessible than the Persona 9H. The “H” in 120H stands for “Hybrid,” indicating its semi-active design. The built-in amplifiers power the bass section, delivering up to 1000 watts for the three 21-centimeter woofers per speaker. This setup is not just about brute force but precise control, addressing the need for substantial energy to reproduce powerful bass accurately.
Advanced Room Correction
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A standout feature of the Founder 120H is the Anthem Room Correction (ARC) Genesis. This advanced technology allows users to calibrate the speakers to their specific room acoustics. Using the provided measuring kit and a standard laptop, you can optimize the speaker’s performance up to 300 Hz, tailoring the sound to your room’s unique characteristics. This process ensures the bass remains controlled and well-integrated, avoiding common issues like room modes that can cause boominess or suck-out.
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Sound
The Founder 120H boasts three “Unibody” woofers with Carbon-X membranes, a 15-centimeter midrange driver with an aluminum-magnesium diaphragm, and a 25-millimeter tweeter made from an aluminum-magnesium-ceramic material. The tweeter’s performance is further enhanced by an Oblate Spheroid Waveguide (OSW), ensuring smooth dispersion and precise imaging.
During testing, the Founder 120H was paired with high-quality amplification, including the T+A PA 3100 HV, showcasing its ability to deliver detailed, dynamic, and musically engaging sound. The speakers excelled with deep, controlled bass, clean and sparkling highs, and an expansive soundstage. Whether it was orchestral music or modern rock, the Founder 120H performed admirably, maintaining composure and clarity even at high volumes.
AUDIO FILE
Five driver, three-way floorstanding speaker with active bassManufactured by: Paradigm Electronics Inc., CanadaWeb: www.paradigm.com; www.pulsecinemas.com
LAB REPORT
ABOVE: Response inc. nearfield summed drivers/port [green], freefield corrected to 1m at 2.83V [yellow], ultrasonic [pink]. Left, black; right, red; w grille, blue
ABOVE: Short-lived resonances at 7.2kHz, 11kHz and 15kHz, but midband modes potentially more audible
SPECIFICATIONS
Sensitivity (SPL/1m/2.83V – 1kHz/Mean/IEC) | 93.3dB / 91.1dB / 88.9dB |
Impedance modulus: minimum & maximum (20Hz-20kHz) | 3.5ohm @ 630Hz 100ohm @ 20Hz |
Impedance phase: minimum & maximum (20Hz-20kHz) | -85o@ 28Hz +37o @ 1.4kHz |
Pair matching/Resp. error (200Hz-20kHz) | 5.7dB/ ±6.0dB/±5.1dB |
LF/HF extension (-6dB ref 200Hz/10kHz) | 18Hz / 53.3kHz/50.5kHz |
THD 100Hz/1kHz/10kHz (for 90dB SPL/1m) | 0.2% / 0.25% / 0.55% |
Dimensions (HWD) / Weight (each) | 1153x354x441mm / 42kg |
Verdict
The Paradigm Founder 120H offers a high-end listening experience at a fraction of the cost of the Persona 9H. With advanced room correction technology, robust hybrid design, and meticulous craftsmanship, it delivers exceptional sound quality that can satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles. For those seeking a taste of luxury audio without the exorbitant price tag, the Founder 120H is an outstanding choice, proving that Paradigm’s philosophy of accessible high-end audio continues to thrive.
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