In this review, we will be comparing Defiance X15 and Defiance S10, 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 X15 and Paradigm Defiance S10 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 X15and Paradigm Defiance S10 have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm Defiance X15's woofer is 15-inch whereas the Paradigm Defiance S10 features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
Defiance X15 has a frequency range of 18-230 Hz whereas Defiance S10 has a frequency range of 25-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the Defiance X15 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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
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 X15's and Paradigm Defiance S10's external dimensions. Paradigm Defiance X15 has external dimensions of 626.0 x 589.0 x 661.0mm (24-5/8inch x 23-3/16inch x 26inch) whereas Paradigm Defiance S10 has external dimensions of 338.1 x 342.9 x 425.5mm ().
Paradigm Defiance X15 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 246.1mm wider, 287.9mm taller and 235.5mm deeper than Paradigm Defiance S10.
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 X15 is approximately 3893.3cm2 / 603.5inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Defiance S10 is approximately 1459.0cm2 / 226.1inch2. The Defiance X15 requires 167% more surface area than the Defiance S10 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 X15 weighs 41.82kg / 92lbs and the Paradigm Defiance S10 weighs 15.74kg / 34.6lbs. This makes the Defiance X15 166% heavier than the Defiance S10.
Here is a comparison of how Defiance X15 and Defiance S10's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
15 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
25 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
230 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 App-Based Control |
iOS,Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Height |
338mm
vs
626mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1459cm2
vs
3893cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1200USD
vs
1999USD
|
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 X15 needs about 167% more floor area. Paradigm Defiance X15 stands 236mm further into the room. Paradigm Defiance X15 is 288mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm Defiance X15 |
Paradigm Defiance S10 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
18-230 Hz |
25-200 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
90-watt RMS |
500-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
1000-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
15" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-loaded polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
626.0mm (24.6") |
338.1mm (13.3") |
| Width |
589.0mm (23.2") |
342.9mm (13.5") |
| Depth |
661.0mm (26") |
425.5mm (16.8") |
| Weight |
41.82kg (92lbs) |
15.74kg (34.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
3 Years |
A ported subwoofer against a sealed one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Paradigm Defiance X15 goes deeper - 18Hz against 25Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | B | Paradigm Defiance S10 has the bigger amplifier - 500W against 90W RMS, about 7.4dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | Paradigm Defiance X15 moves more air: 15" against 10" 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 | depends | Paradigm Defiance X15 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Paradigm Defiance S10 is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm Defiance S10 is about 80% 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 S10 costs less - $1,200 against $1,999, about 40% less. |
A Paradigm Defiance X15 B Paradigm Defiance S10
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?
Paradigm Defiance X15 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 67% more. Paradigm Defiance S10 is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Paradigm Defiance X15 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Paradigm Defiance S10 is usually the easier one to make sound right. 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 $1,200 each, two Paradigm Defiance S10 cost about $2,400 against $1,999 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
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.