Paradigm founder Scott Bagby brings us the FOUNDER!

Paradigm is an internationally renowned Canadian loudspeaker manufacturer. In a previous article, I explained how Scott Bagby founded his company and how, in 20 years, he has built a reputation as a leader in the sale of products resulting from superior research and development. Today, Paradigm celebrates its 41st anniversary, and I'd like to share with you my assessment of Paradigm's latest series, the Founder series, named in honor and recognition of Scott's contribution to the music reproduction industry. 

Setting the scene :

Audiophiles know that the loudspeaker can make or break an ensemble. Bad units will destroy all the flavors and nuances of musical listening. A speaker is very important. Paradigm was founded on the premise that the calibration of a new product should not be based solely on the listener's ear, but rather on empirical research aided by the best scientific measuring instruments available.

Paradigm therefore called on engineers from the Canadian research agency, the CRNC, to develop their own research center, the PARC, followed in 2001 by the construction of the largest anechoic test chamber in the northern hemisphere. The results are in, with the best value for money on the market today!

Choice = Paradigm's trademark.

Paradigm has millions of fans of their product ranges, but what exactly are these products? Here's just one example.

MONITOR This is the entry-level range, at affordable prices for products designed in Canada, but manufactured in the Orient according to rigorous criteria.

The FIRST Extremely competitive product combining technologies derived from the two largest high-end series.

The FOUNDERs The Founder range is the most affordable loudspeaker for the serious audiophile.

PERSONA This range is the flagship of the brand, using the finest materials available. Discreet, a pair of bookshelf speakers commands a bottom-line price of around $8500, while the 9H model for "hybrids" sells for $40,000 a pair. It's worth noting that in this field, these speakers remain a bargain compared with the competition, which offers similar products at twice the price... 

LET'S TALK FOUNDER!

Every now and then, something special comes along and changes the rules, and that's exactly what FOUNDER offers. But this doesn't happen by chance: for over 40 years, the company has been using the very best technology to design its products. Numerous tests have led to the perfection of the following:

• Reinforced case.

A good loudspeaker should blend into your room. The sound should be nothing other than that emanating from the musicians. In addition to introducing distortion, a poorly designed loudspeaker will add the sound of resonance from the cabinet and diaphragms. Although the "look" here is attractive, it's the result of structural studies to distribute the internal pressures coming from the active elements as evenly as possible. In addition, the angular cascade of internal supports creates monolithic rigidity, resulting in tighter bass and uncolored midrange. Communicating openings attenuate counter-pressure.

• The tweeter (treble) is a source of precision.

A good high-frequency transducer needs to be very light yet rigid. Paradigm uses a special "AL-MAC" alloy of aluminum, magnesium and ceramic. The result: clear, silky highs. To ensure that these highly directional frequencies reach your ears without diffraction, an oblate spherical waveguide directs the delicate frequencies. The driver itself is 1", and is inserted behind a "P.P.A." grid to keep the sound waves in phase. The result is the impression of hearing wider than the distance between the two columns!

• The midrange with its dispersion technology.

As with all the other components, lightness and rigidity are the order of the day. The same techniques are used for the midrange transducer as for the treble. The P.P.A. front grille ensures straight diffusion of the ultra-light Alu/Magnesium/Ceramic diaphragm. The 2" coil is ventilated. To reduce the coloration induced by the resonance of the cabinet, a damping system attaches the saladier (speaker frame) to the cabinet.

• The woofer (bass) is powerful, with a huge magnet and a choice of exotic materials.

Paradigm is a master in the design of bass drivers, notably used in the "Defiance X" "XR series" subwoofers and others.

The more the driver can move freely, the deeper and more powerful the bass it can generate. The patented* "ART" (Active Ridge Technology) contoured driver design features a reinforced rubber surround for the longest possible projection without distortion. Greater excursion translates into a measured output gain of 3 dB, with a 50% reduction audible distortion compared to conventional woofers.

In the Series 40 and 80 models, the AL-MAG material is used, diffusing a combination of bass and treble. A PPA diffuser is added to reduce phase cancellation. For larger models, such as the 100 and 120H, a carbon X diaphragm is used in a formation without a center-coil motor cover. In short, there's no center cap, and the sound is more predictable without wave breakup. The ART suspended surround is^3rd generation, the result of many years of refinement. Like the midrange drivers, these are fixed to the chassis by an elastomer absorption system that eliminates any resonance that might cause coloration.

The watchword for all these elements: Rigidity and lightness in a massive case.

• Adjustable feet.

Founder column loudspeakers include feet that decouple the loudspeaker from the floor, in two stages, for extremely effective vibration decoupling. Interchangeable hardware is included for carpets and hard surfaces. The feet can be adjusted from above to level the column easily.

• The finish

There are 4 finishes available. The most popular is the "Midnight Cherry" lacquered cherry finish, followed by the black lacquered piano finish.

More traditional, natural or black-stained walnut is sure to please!

LAST HOUR!

Just as the Montreal audio show (Audiofest Montreal 2024) gets underway, Paradigm introduces a limited edition of Founder in 3 brand-new colors. They will be available in Icy Ruby Red, Icy Charcoal Grey and Winter Azure Black. Collectors beware!

Available models:

Founder 40B

This bookshelf model will give you all the benefits of avant-garde design in a less bulky format. The range reproduced is clear and crisp, with a bass level that's surprising given its small size.

The secret, of course, is the ART woofer, which delivers a 3 dB gain in bass.

Founder 80F

This column delivers astonishing performance in a small package. It doesn't take up any space and is surprisingly powerful. The author of these lines owns a pair and is totally satisfied.

For $4,799, it doesn't get any better than this, period!

Founder 100F

The 100F takes the design of the 80F to the next level. Paradigm has added more woofers (3), larger ones and a dedicated AL-MAG midrange in a column only slightly larger than the smaller 80F. More bass, improved dynamics and greater clarity and realism. For those who want an even better experience, the 100F is the perfect choice. Ideal for heavy rock or dynamic techno.

Founder 120H

The Founder 120H hybrid features an amplified bass section that does the "heavy lifting" for you and your amplifier. 1000 Watts of additional amplification brings the performance you'd get with the addition of a subwoofer, only better. It's better, because Paradigm's engineers have created a well-tuned whole. Think about it: it's generally impossible to have a uniform response curve when two separate audio devices work together. Too much or too little bass, poorly matched to each other, gives an unacceptable result for those seeking the ideal reproduction of the original. To complete the picture, having a linear (flat) sound box, Paradigm's engineers have integrated calibration software to "neutralize" the room environment. Thanks to the ARC GENESIS software, which takes actual measurements in your room to adjust the bass response to your specific situation. This takes bass performance to a new level, allowing your amplifier to focus its energy on the critical midrange and high frequencies. The 120H offers truly uncompromising performance in a very reasonably sized enclosure, and not to be overlooked, boosts available power by 1000 Watts....

Other parts available for cinema.

For the home theater enthusiast, two center speaker models are available, as well as two EXTREME subwoofers! The XR11 and XR13 with 1100 and 2200 watts R.M.S respectively, and a dynamic range of 2200 and 4400 watts peak!

The last word.

I look forward to meeting you at the Salon de l'audio de Montréal to listen to these magnificent Founder speakers, and hope I've tickled your curiosity. With the advent of high-resolution audio files such as DSD 512, it's becoming more and more relevant to own speakers that can transport you into a universe that only musicians had access to not so long ago. The show will take place from March 22 to 24, 2024, and the SONXPLUS team and I, Christian, will be in room Saint Laurent NO 6 at the Bonaventure Hotel. In the meantime, drop in for a personal listening session AND... a special price (15% to 25%) on Founder demos, and Anthem amps!

Stay tuned!

• Christian