In this review, we will be comparing Premier 200B and Premier 220B v2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 200B and Paradigm Premier 220B v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm 200B | 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 | 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene | 6" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 58-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-130 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 8.18kg / 18lbs | 9.12kg / 20.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-7/16" x 7-13/16" x 12-7/8"
342.0 x 199.0 x 328.0mm | 14-5/8" x 8-5/16" x 13"
371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm |
|---|
Premier 200B 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 200B and Premier 220B v2 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm 200BParadigm 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 200B |
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Premier 200B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer. On the other hand, the Premier 220B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 200B has a frequency range of 55-25k Hz whereas Premier 220B v2 has a frequency range of 58-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the Premier 200B can go slightly deeper then the Premier 220B v2's min frequency of 58Hz.
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 200B and Premier 220B v2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 200B 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 200B, 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 200B 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 200B's and Paradigm Premier 220B v2's external dimensions. 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) 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 12.1mm wider, 29.5mm taller and 2.2mm deeper than Paradigm 200B.
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.
Near-identical footprints. Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is 30mm 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 200B is approximately 652.7cm2 / 101.2inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is approximately 697.1cm2 / 108.1inch2. The Premier 200B requires 6% less surface area than the Premier 220B 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 200B weighs 8.18kg / 18lbs and the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 weighs 9.12kg / 20.1lbs. This makes the Premier 220B v2 11% heavier than the Premier 200B.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 200B and Premier 220B 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 200B?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Premier 200B:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- Owner's Manual
- Online Registration Card
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
342mm
vs
371mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
652cm2
vs
697cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 200B |
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 |
55-25k Hz |
58-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
| 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 |
342.0mm (13.5") |
371.5mm (14.6") |
| Width |
199.0mm (7.8") |
211.1mm (8.3") |
| Depth |
328.0mm (12.9") |
330.2mm (13") |
| Weight |
8.18kg (18lbs) |
9.12kg (20.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Polymer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss white,Espresso,Black |
Gloss Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
|
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
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 | A | Paradigm 200B digs deeper - 55Hz against 58Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (90dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
A Paradigm 200B 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 200B has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does.
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.