In this review, we will be comparing MilleniaSub and A120P, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from Paradigm and JBL. 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 MilleniaSub and JBL Stage A120P 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 MilleniaSuband JBL Stage A120P have a single woofer setup however the Paradigm MilleniaSub's woofer is -inch whereas the JBL Stage A120P features a 12-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
MilleniaSub has a frequency range of 24-150 Hz whereas A120P has a frequency range of 32-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 24Hz, the MilleniaSub can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the A120P's min frequency of 32Hz.
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
The Paradigm MilleniaSub has a Acoustic Suspension type cabinet. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs. On the other hand the JBL Stage A120P have Bass reflex type enclosure.
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 MilleniaSub's and JBL Stage A120P's external dimensions. Paradigm MilleniaSub has external dimensions of 386.0 x 180.0 x 467.0mm (15-3/16inch x 7-1/16inch x 18-3/8inch) whereas JBL Stage A120P has external dimensions of 415.0 x 393.0 x 475.0mm (16-5/16 x 15-7/16 x 18-11/16inch).
JBL Stage A120P is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 213mm wider, 29mm taller and 8mm deeper than Paradigm MilleniaSub.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers 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 surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 122% more floor or shelf area. JBL Stage A120P is 29mm taller.
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 MilleniaSub is approximately 840.6cm2 / 130.3inch2 and base area of the JBL Stage A120P is approximately 1866.8cm2 / 289.4inch2. The MilleniaSub requires 55% less surface area than the A120P which gives it a small advantage 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 MilleniaSub weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs and the JBL Stage A120P weighs 18.68kg / 41.1lbs. This makes the A120P 71% heavier than the MilleniaSub.
Here is a comparison of how MilleniaSub and A120P'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 MilleniaSub?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of MilleniaSub:
- Powered subwoofer
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Stand
- 4 Feet
- 4 Locking collars
- 4 Felt-pads
- 2 Screws
- 4 Rubber inserts
- Owners Manual
- Important Operating Info
What's in the Box of JBL Stage A120P?
Here are the items that come with the A120P:
- Powered subwoofer
- Grille
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 4 Spike feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
- Important Safety Instructions
 Low Frequency Response |
24 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
386mm
vs
415mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
840cm2
vs
1866cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
1699USD
|
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.
JBL Stage A120P needs about 122% more floor area. JBL Stage A120P is 29mm taller.
| General |
Paradigm MilleniaSub |
JBL Stage A120P |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
JBL |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
300 watts |
250 watts |
| Frequency Response |
24-150 Hz |
32-150 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
300-watt RMS |
250-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
500-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
Reinforced Polymer |
Polycellulose |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front and back |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
386.0mm (15.2") |
415.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
180.0mm (7.1") |
393.0mm (15.5") |
| Depth |
467.0mm (18.4") |
475.0mm (18.7") |
| Weight |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
18.68kg (41.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
1 Year |
A sealed subwoofer against a ported 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 MilleniaSub goes deeper - 24Hz against 32Hz. That gap covers the lowest notes of a five-string bass and a concert bass drum. |
| Amplifier power | evenly matched | Much the same amplifier (300W vs 250W RMS) - under 1dB apart. |
| Enclosure | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room; JBL Stage A120P is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Driver placement | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub fires front/rear and JBL Stage A120P fires front. A down-firing driver is more forgiving of a grille-less look and of a hard floor; a front-firing one is the safer choice on a thick carpet or a suspended timber floor. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Paradigm MilleniaSub is about 58% 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. |
| Warranty | A | Paradigm MilleniaSub carries 3 years on parts against 1 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | JBL Stage A120P costs less - $300 against $1,699, about 82% less. |
A Paradigm MilleniaSub B JBL Stage A120P
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 MilleniaSub measures better, JBL Stage A120P costs about 82% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, JBL Stage A120P will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Paradigm MilleniaSub 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 $300 each, two JBL Stage A120P cost about $600 against $1,699 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.