Paradigm Seismic 110 Subwoofer $1400

     Paradigm calls its new Seismic 110 subwoofer “adorable.” It’s hard to argue with that. Except, it’s hard to call a middle linebacker, “adorable.”

     While the Seismic 110 has a unique and attractive shape, it was designed first and foremost to be an incredibly high performing subwoofer. The adorable result was created because it lined up with what Paradigm wanted to do with the 110’s sound.

     In the Seismic 110, Paradigm wanted a sealed, 10”, high excursion driver. The DSP Series is dynamite- literally- and uses ports to move your theater room floors and walls. The 110 is a leaner, tauter presentation for the customer who wants that in his theater, or probably just as likely, to augment his two channel performance.

     If you’ve been reading our Paradigm propaganda, you’ll know by now that Seismic 110 uses a cast frame, 10” long throw woofer built by Paradigm in Canada. The amp within is a Ferrari! It is rated at 850w RMS with peak power of 1700w! This amp is also made by Paradigm in Canada. Neither of these vital source components is sourced out. The “other guys” invariably buy their drivers from one vendor and plate amps from another. They screw them together here and away ya go!

     Let’s look a little closer at the 10” woofer driver element. The polypropylene cone is comprised of mineral filled, co-polymer. It uses Paradigm’s patented RCR (Resonance Cone Ribbing) reinforcement “ribs.” The surround on this driver is the same high efficiency Santoprene employed in many other Paradigm speakers. The voice coil is almost 4”- quite substantial for any sub in this price range. When you put all this in one product, you get a wickedly tight driver with edge of the art control! But take a close look at the shape of the surround. It has a corrugated structure, like the woofers of the Sig 6 and Sig 8s. The corrugated surround design allows Paradigm to achieve greater excursion length than it competition- yielding more gusto from this sub!

     The cabinet is not a square or rectangle. Its round shape helps eliminate standing waves to deliver a muscular, controlled sound. Yes, it is tighter than its DSP brethren and measures down to 18Hz.

     The crossover is continuously variable from 35-150Hz, with a bypass option- which is vital if you’re using the crossover built into your surround receiver or preamp.

     The 110 has a USB input so you can buy the PBK ($300) if you want to calibrate it to your room.

13 1/2h, 13 3/4w, 12 9/16d, 40lbs. Comes in Satin Black only.