In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Paradigm. Paradigm Premier 100B is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Premier 500C is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 100B and Paradigm 500C 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 500C Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter
- 4" Midrange
- 2 x 5.5" carbon-infused polypropylene Woofer
- 4" Midrange
- 73-25k Hz Frequency Response
- 92 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:15-120watts
- Weight:11.82kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 189.0" x 20-1/16" x 12-11/16"( 189.0 x 510.0 x 323.0mm )
Premier 100B and Premier 500C 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 500C 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 500C |
| 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 500C 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Premier 100B is a 2-way design whereas the Premier 500C is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
Paradigm 100B |
Paradigm 500C |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
2 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 500C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter , a 4" Midrange and 2 x 5.5" carbon-infused polypropylene Woofer .
Frequency Response
Premier 100B has a frequency range of 68-25k Hz whereas Premier 500C has a frequency range of 73-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 68Hz, the Premier 100B can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 500C's min frequency of 73Hz.
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 500C have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 100B sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Premier 500C's is at 92 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Paradigm 500C a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm 100B, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Premier 500C has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Premier 100B.
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 Binding post type posts and Premier 500C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm 500C's Binding post terminals
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 500C'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 500C has external dimensions of 189.0 x 510.0 x 323.0mm ( 7-7/16 x 20-1/16 x 12-11/16inch) .
Paradigm 100B is 338mm narrower and 76mm less deeper than Paradigm 500C but it is also 96mm 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 500C is approximately 1647.3cm2 / 255.3inch2. The Premier 100B requires 74% less surface area than the Premier 500C which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 500C?
Here are the items that come with the Premier 500C:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)4 Rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Registration Card
Max Input Power 
Low Frequency Response 
Base Surface Area 
Price per pair* 
Driver Setup 
Sensitivity 
Height