In this review, we will be comparing Defiance V12 and Defiance V8, 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 V12 and Paradigm Defiance V8 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both Paradigm Defiance V12and Paradigm Defiance V8 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm Defiance V12's woofer is 12-inch whereas the Paradigm Defiance V8 features a 8-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Defiance V12 has a frequency range of 23-200 Hz whereas Defiance V8 has a frequency range of 34-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 23Hz, the Defiance V12 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Defiance V8's min frequency of 34Hz.
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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
Both Paradigm Defiance V12 and Paradigm Defiance V8 have Bass Reflex type cabinets. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 V12's and Paradigm Defiance V8's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance V12 has external dimensions of 455.0 x 421.0 x 486.0mm (17-7/8inch x 16-9/16inch x 19-1/8inch) whereas Paradigm Defiance V8 has external dimensions of 361.0 x 326.0 x 399.0mm (14-3/16inch x 12-13/16inch x 15-11/16inch).
Paradigm Defiance V12 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 95mm wider, 94mm taller and 87mm deeper than Paradigm Defiance V8.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Defiance V12 and Paradigm Defiance V8 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Defiance V12 and Paradigm Defiance V8 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Paradigm Defiance V12 is approximately 2046.1cm2 / 317.1inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Defiance V8 is approximately 1300.7cm2 / 201.6inch2. The Defiance V12 requires 57% more surface area than the Defiance V8 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Paradigm Defiance V12 weighs 19.09kg / 42lbs and the Paradigm Defiance V8 weighs 12.05kg / 26.5lbs. This makes the Defiance V12 58% heavier than the Defiance V8.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance V12 and Defiance V8's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm Defiance V12?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Defiance V12:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
What's in the Box of Paradigm Defiance V8?
Here are the items that come with the Defiance V8:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6.5-feetAC power cord
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Important Unboxing Information
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
8 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
23 Hz
vs
34 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Wireless Operation |
Optional
vs
No
|
Connect your subwoofer to your system wireless |
 Height |
361mm
vs
455mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1300cm2
vs
2046cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
480USD
vs
779USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Paradigm Defiance V12 needs about 57% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance V12 stands 87mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance V12 is 94mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance V12 |
Paradigm Defiance V8 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
120 watts |
75 watts |
| Frequency Response |
23-200 Hz |
34-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
120-watt RMS |
75-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
8" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
455.0mm (17.9") |
361.0mm (14.2") |
| Width |
421.0mm (16.6") |
326.0mm (12.8") |
| Depth |
486.0mm (19.1") |
399.0mm (15.7") |
| Weight |
19.09kg (42lbs) |
12.05kg (26.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Siblings in Paradigm's Defiance range - same design thinking, different size. It comes down to your room and your budget.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Paradigm Defiance V12 goes deeper - 23Hz against 34Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | A | Paradigm Defiance V12 has the bigger amplifier - 120W against 75W RMS, about 2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Paradigm Defiance V12 moves more air: 12" against 8" is 2.25x the cone area, not the 1.5x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Wireless option | depends | Only Paradigm Defiance V12 offers a wireless link (as a paid option). It decides where the sub can go if you cannot run a cable, and is worth nothing if you can. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm Defiance V8 is about 50% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | B | Paradigm Defiance V8 costs less - $480 against $779, about 38% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance V12 B Paradigm Defiance V8
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: Paradigm Defiance V12 measures better, Paradigm Defiance V8 costs about 38% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $480 each, two Paradigm Defiance V8 cost about $960 against $779 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Paradigm Defiance V8 is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.