In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Paradigm. Paradigm Monitor SE 2000C is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Monitor SE Atom is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm SE 2000C and Paradigm SE Atom first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm SE 2000C | Paradigm SE Atom |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene | 5.5" Mineral-filled polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-21k Hz | 61-21k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-100 watts | 15-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 8.64kg / 19lbs | 5.45kg / 12lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-1/8" x 19-3/4" x 11"
181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm | 12-3/4" x 7-1/8" x 10-7/8"
324.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm |
|---|
Monitor SE 2000C and Monitor SE Atom are members of Paradigm's Monitor SE series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Paradigm Monitor SE Series
History
What size room are the Paradigm SE 2000C and Paradigm SE Atom speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Paradigm SE 2000C |
Paradigm SE Atom |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both Monitor SE 2000C and Monitor SE Atom are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm SE 2000CParadigm SE Atom
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Paradigm SE 2000C |
Paradigm SE Atom |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
Monitor SE 2000C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" mineral-filled polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Monitor SE Atom features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Mineral-filled polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Monitor SE 2000C has a frequency range of 65-21k Hz whereas Monitor SE Atom has a frequency range of 61-21k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 61Hz, the Monitor SE Atom can go slightly deeper then the Monitor SE 2000C's min frequency of 65Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Monitor SE 2000C and Monitor SE Atom have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Monitor SE 2000C sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the Monitor SE Atom's is at 89 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Paradigm SE 2000C a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm SE Atom, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Monitor SE 2000C and Monitor SE Atom have the same power range of 15-100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Monitor SE 2000C features Post type posts and Monitor SE Atom has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm SE 2000C's Binding post terminals
Paradigm SE Atom's Post terminals
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 SE 2000C's and Paradigm SE Atom's external dimensions. Paradigm SE 2000C has external dimensions of 181.0 x 502.0 x 280.0mm (7-1/8 x 19-3/4 x 11inch) whereas Paradigm SE Atom has external dimensions of 324.0 x 181.0 x 277.0mm (12-3/4 x 7-1/8 x 10-7/8inch).
Paradigm SE Atom is 321mm narrower and 3mm less deeper than Paradigm SE 2000C but it is also 143mm 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 SE 2000C is approximately 1405.6cm2 / 217.9inch2 and base area of the Paradigm SE Atom is approximately 501.4cm2 / 77.7inch2. The Monitor SE 2000C requires 180% more surface area than the Monitor SE Atom which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Paradigm SE 2000C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Monitor SE 2000C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
What's in the Box of Paradigm SE Atom?
Here are the items that come with the Monitor SE Atom:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Rubber feet
- Owner's Manual
- Online Registration Card