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Paradigm Defiance S10 vs Paradigm Defiance X12 Comparison
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Subwoofer to replace
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Paradigm Defiance S10

Powered Subwoofer | 25-200 Hz

Paradigm Defiance S10
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Paradigm Defiance X12

Powered Subwoofer | 20-230 Hz

Paradigm Defiance X12
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Paradigm Defiance S10 Paradigm Defiance S1...
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Paradigm Defiance X12 Paradigm Defiance X1...
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Paradigm Defiance X1...
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Paradigm Defiance S10 vs Paradigm Defiance X12 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Defiance S10 and Defiance X12, two Powered Subwoofer speakers by Paradigm. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Paradigm Defiance S10 and Paradigm Defiance X12 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Paradigm Defiance S10 Key Specs

  • 10" Woofer
  • 25-200 Hz Frequency Response
  • Weight:kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): " x 13-1/2" x 16-3/4"

Paradigm Defiance X12 Key Specs

  • 12" Carbon-loaded polypropylene Woofer
  • 20-230 Hz Frequency Response
  • 650 watts Max Amplifier Output
  • App Control Feature
  • Weight:28.18kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 494.0" x 18-1/16" x 20-13/16"( 494.0 x 459.0 x 529.0mm )

Defiance S10 and Defiance X12 are members of Paradigm's Defiance series of subwoofers. Below you can find other subs from this series.

Paradigm Defiance Series Subwoofers History
Model Frequency Woofer Amp Power
Paradigm Defiance V8
  
34-200k Hz 8" 75 watts
Paradigm Defiance X10
  
29-240k Hz 10" 300 watts
Paradigm Defiance V10
  
29-200k Hz 10" 120 watts
Paradigm Defiance X12
20-230k Hz 12" 650 watts
Paradigm Defiance X15
  
18-230k Hz 15" 90 watts
Paradigm Defiance V12
  
23-200k Hz 12" 120 watts
Paradigm Defiance S10
25-200k Hz 10" watts

In the following sections, we will get into details in order to better understand how the Paradigm Defiance S10 and Paradigm Defiance X12 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these subwoofers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Drivers

The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Paradigm Defiance S10and Paradigm Defiance X12 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm Defiance S10's woofer is 10-inch whereas the Paradigm Defiance X12 features a 12-inch woofer.

Frequency Response

Defiance S10 has a frequency range of 25-200 Hz whereas Defiance X12 has a frequency range of 20-230 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Defiance X12 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Defiance S10's min frequency of 25Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.

Low Frequency

Subwoofer Speakers

Paradigm Defiance S10
Paradigm Defiance X12
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Subwoofer Speakers

Paradigm Defiance S10
Paradigm Defiance X12
Min
Average
Max

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Paradigm Defiance S10's and Paradigm Defiance X12's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance S10 has external dimensions of ( ) whereas Paradigm Defiance X12 has external dimensions of 494.0 x 459.0 x 529.0mm ( 19-7/16inch x 18-1/16inch x 20-13/16inch ) .

Paradigm Defiance X12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 459mm wider, 494mm taller and 529mm deeper than Paradigm Defiance S10.


Reasons to choose Paradigm Defiance S10 over Paradigm Defiance X12
Height 0mm vs 494mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 0cm2 vs 2428cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 1200USD vs 1499USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Reasons to choose Paradigm Defiance X12 over Paradigm Defiance S10
Woofer Size 12 inches vs 10 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 20 Hz vs 25 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 230k Hz vs 200k Hz Generates higher frequency
App-Based Control iOS,Android vs None Control the speaker via an app
Paradigm Defiance S10 vs Paradigm Defiance X12 Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Paradigm Defiance S10 Paradigm Defiance X12
Brand Paradigm Paradigm
Speaker Type Powered Subwoofer Powered Subwoofer
Frequency Response 25-200 Hz 20-230 Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) n/a 650-watt RMS
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 10" 12"
Woofer Composition Carbon-loaded polypropylene
Tweeter Size - -
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Firing Direction n/a front
Physical Specs
Height mm (0") 494.0mm (19.4")
Width mm (0") 459.0mm (18.1")
Depth mm (0") 529.0mm (20.8")
Weight n/a 28.18kg (62lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Other
Parts Warranty 3 Years 3 Years
Labor Warranty 3 Years 3 Years

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