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Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Paradigm PDR-8 Speakers by kal1971@juno.com

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REVIEW: Paradigm PDR-8 Speakers

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Model: PDR-8
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $300
Description: 8 Inch Powered Poly Cone Vented Subwoofer
Manufacturer URL: Paradigm

Review by kal1971@juno.com on July 23, 2009 at 15:19:08
IP Address: 24.14.113.37
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for the PDR-8


I purchased this unit in March of this year to complement my pair of NSM Audio Model 5 speakers and create a sub-sat system. While being sealed minimonitors, they have surprising low-end output. However, after using them for a while, I realized that the bottom-end could use some assistance. I couldn't afford NSM's compact band-pass sub, so I began searching for a single, powered unit that would not overpower the satellites. I started listening to Paradigms, as these were the models available in local showrooms. The PDR-8 was the "winner" due to sound, size, and price. As a note, I paid approximately $250 USD for mine (it was on sale). Additionally, I have the newer version that has a removable grille.

I am very pleasantly surprised at the "tight" quality of the bass that this sub produces every time I use it. I was, admittedly, very concerned about "boomy" bass due to its vented alighnment. The showroom really is not the place to evaluate it or any other speaker. You have to get it home and "dial-it" in properly to judge it. I usually have the internal variable crossover set between 80 and 100 Hz and the volume set so that it is "present" but not at all overpowering or even very loud. Adjusting it to blend properly with my satellites, room, and music took some time. For me, it is strictly a matter of quality, not quantity, of bass.

"Seven Nation Army" by the White Stripes provides a very good idea of its capabilities due to the opening bass lines, which I love through this sub. Prodigy's "Firestarter" really also reveals alot. The bass is quick and full of "attack". "Firestarter" is especially fun when a system has the bottom-end "grunt" that does not impart "bloat" but rather responds quickly to the transients. Mahler's Second Symphony and even Bach's cello suites benefit from using it. I was very surprised at how much I was missing without a subwoofer.

At this point, the only weakness I can identify is one of phyical design. I have a pretty small space in which to place speakers, even though the room is approximately 14'x20'. My sats are about 6 feet apart and the sub is in the middle spaced 12 inches from the back wall. In my current arrangement, it sticks out into the room a bit too much. However, this is a very small point and is peculiar to my situation.

NOTE: Soon after I purchased the PDR-8, I noticed a low frequency rumble on some recordings. I feared, at the time, that it was the sub. Extensive listening has convinced me that the "rumble" is indeed on the recordings. I had simply never noticed it before because I could not.

I recommend this speaker especially for those who have never used a subwoofer in his or her system but suspect that "something" is missing.


Product Weakness: A smaller physical profile would be good.
Product Strengths: Very good transient attack, especially for a vented sub. Very affordable.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Inexpensive Sony Tuner/Amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): N/A
Sources (CDP/Turntable): NAD 521i CD Player
Speakers: NSM Model 5 Minimonitors
Cables/Interconnects: Radio Shack and Monster
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Symphonic and Solo Classical, Indian Classical, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 Ft. x 14 Ft. x 9 Ft.
Room Comments/Treatments: untreated
Time Period/Length of Audition: Approx. 4 Months
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Paradigm PDR-8 Speakers - kal1971@juno.com 15:19:07 07/23/09 ( 4)