In this review, we will be comparing Premier 100B and Premier 120B v2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 100B and Paradigm Premier 120B v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm 100B | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene | 5.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 68-25k Hz | 62-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-130 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 5.86kg / 12.9lbs | 7.39kg / 16.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-3/16" x 6-3/4" x 9-11/16"
285.0 x 172.0 x 247.0mm | 12-1/16" x 7" x 12-3/16"
306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm |
|---|
Premier 100B and Premier 120B v2 are members of Paradigm's Premier series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Paradigm Premier Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Premier 100B and Premier 120B v2 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm 100BParadigm Premier 120B v2
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 100B |
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
Premier 100B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Premier 120B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 100B has a frequency range of 68-25k Hz whereas Premier 120B v2 has a frequency range of 62-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 62Hz, the Premier 120B v2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 100B's min frequency of 68Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf 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
Premier 100B and Premier 120B v2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 90 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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
Premier 100B features Binding post type posts and Premier 120B v2 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 100B's and Paradigm Premier 120B v2's external dimensions. Paradigm 100B has external dimensions of 285.0 x 172.0 x 247.0mm (11-3/16 x 6-3/4 x 9-11/16inch) whereas Paradigm Premier 120B v2 has external dimensions of 306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm ().
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 5.8mm wider, 21.4mm taller and 62.6mm deeper than Paradigm 100B.
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.
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 needs about 30% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is 63mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is 21mm 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 100B is approximately 424.8cm2 / 65.8inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is approximately 550.5cm2 / 85.3inch2. The Premier 100B requires 23% less surface area than the Premier 120B v2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Paradigm 100B weighs 5.86kg / 12.9lbs and the Paradigm Premier 120B v2 weighs 7.39kg / 16.3lbs. This makes the Premier 120B v2 26% heavier than the Premier 100B.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 100B and Premier 120B v2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Paradigm 100B?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Premier 100B:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owner's Manual
- Online Registration Card
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
285mm
vs
306mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
424cm2
vs
550cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Low Frequency Response |
62 Hz
vs
68 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 100B |
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
68-25k Hz |
62-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-Infused Polypropylene |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
285.0mm (11.2") |
306.4mm (12.1") |
| Width |
172.0mm (6.8") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Depth |
247.0mm (9.7") |
309.6mm (12.2") |
| Weight |
5.86kg (12.9lbs) |
7.39kg (16.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss white,Espresso,Black |
Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
|
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-32" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in Paradigm's Premier series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 digs deeper - 62Hz against 68Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 90dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm 100B is easier to place; Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
A Paradigm 100B B Paradigm Premier 120B v2
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 68Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.