In this review, we will be comparing Premier 120B v2 and Premier 220B v2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Paradigm Premier 220B v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 | Paradigm Premier 220B 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" | 6" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 62-23k Hz | 58-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Weight | 7.39kg / 16.3lbs | 9.12kg / 20.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12-1/16" x 7" x 12-3/16"
306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm | 14-5/8" x 8-5/16" x 13"
371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm |
|---|
Premier 120B v2 and Premier 220B 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 120B v2 and Premier 220B v2 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm Premier 120B v2Paradigm Premier 220B 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 Premier 120B v2 |
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Premier 120B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Woofer. On the other hand, the Premier 220B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 120B v2 has a frequency range of 62-23k Hz whereas Premier 220B v2 has a frequency range of 58-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 58Hz, the Premier 220B v2 can go slightly deeper then the Premier 120B v2's min frequency of 62Hz.
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 120B v2 and Premier 220B v2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 120B v2 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Premier 220B v2's is at 91 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm Premier 120B v2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 120B v2 features Binding post type posts and Premier 220B 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 Premier 120B v2's and Paradigm Premier 220B v2's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 120B v2 has external dimensions of 306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm () whereas Paradigm Premier 220B v2 has external dimensions of 371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm ().
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 33.3mm wider, 65.1mm taller and 20.6mm deeper than Paradigm Premier 120B v2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Paradigm Premier 220B v2 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Paradigm Premier 220B v2 Size and External Dimensions
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 Premier 120B v2 is approximately 550.5cm2 / 85.3inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is approximately 697.1cm2 / 108.1inch2. The Premier 120B v2 requires 21% less surface area than the Premier 220B v2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Paradigm Premier 120B v2 and Paradigm Premier 220B v2 on a Media Console
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 Premier 120B v2 weighs 7.39kg / 16.3lbs and the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 weighs 9.12kg / 20.1lbs. This makes the Premier 220B v2 23% heavier than the Premier 120B v2.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 120B v2 and Premier 220B v2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
 Height |
306mm
vs
371mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
550cm2
vs
697cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
58 Hz
vs
62 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
62-23k Hz |
58-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
306.4mm (12.1") |
371.5mm (14.6") |
| Width |
177.8mm (7") |
211.1mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
309.6mm (12.2") |
330.2mm (13") |
| Weight |
7.39kg (16.3lbs) |
9.12kg (20.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
|
| Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Polymer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
|
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
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 220B v2 digs deeper - 58Hz against 62Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is easier to place; Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
A Paradigm Premier 120B v2 B Paradigm Premier 220B 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 220B 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. In a large or open-plan room, Paradigm Premier 220B v2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.