In this review, we will be comparing Premier 100B and Premier 200B, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Paradigm
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 100B and Paradigm 200B first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Paradigm 100B Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer
- 68-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:15-130watts
- Weight:5.86kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 285.0" x 6-3/4" x 9-11/16"( 285.0 x 172.0 x 247.0mm )
Paradigm 200B Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer
- 55-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:15-130watts
- Weight:8.18kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 342.0" x 7-13/16" x 12-7/8"( 342.0 x 199.0 x 328.0mm )
Premier 100B and Premier 200B are members of Paradigm's Premier series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Paradigm Premier Series
History
What size room are the Paradigm 100B and Paradigm 200B 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 100B |
Paradigm 200B |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Paradigm 100B and Paradigm 200B compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Premier 100B and Premier 200B are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Paradigm 100B |
Paradigm 200B |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Premier 100B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer . On the other hand, the Premier 200B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer .
Frequency Response
Premier 100B has a frequency range of 68-25k Hz whereas Premier 200B has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Premier 200B can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 100B's min frequency of 68Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Premier 100B and Premier 200B have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 90 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Premier 100B and Premier 200B has the same power range of 15-130 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Premier 100B features Posts type posts and Premier 200B has a Posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Premier 100B and Premier 200B have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 200B'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 200B has external dimensions of 342.0 x 199.0 x 328.0mm ( 13-7/16 x 7-13/16 x 12-7/8inch) .
Paradigm 200B is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 27mm wider, 57mm taller and 81mm deeper than Paradigm 100B.
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 200B is approximately 652.7cm2 / 101.2inch2. The Premier 100B requires 35% less surface area than the Premier 200B 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 200B weighs 8.18kg / 18lbs. This makes the Premier 200B 40% heavier than the Premier 100B.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 100B and Premier 200B'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
What's in the Box of Paradigm 200B?
Here are the items that come with the Premier 200B:
Bookshelf loudspeaker
Grille
Owner's Manual
Online Registration Card
 Height |
285mm
vs
342mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
424cm2
vs
652cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
800USD
vs
1000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
68 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 100B |
Paradigm Premier 200B |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-130 watts |
15-130 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
68-25k Hz |
55-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Carbon-Infused Polypropylene |
Carbon-Infused Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
285.0mm (11.2") |
342.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
172.0mm (6.8") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
247.0mm (9.7") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
5.86kg (12.9lbs) |
8.18kg (18lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss white,Espresso,Black |
Gloss white,Espresso,Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
28-32" |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |