In this review, we will be comparing Premier 500C and Premier 520LCR v2, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 500C and Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm 500C | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 4" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.5" carbon-infused polypropylene | 2 x 6" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 73-25k Hz | 75-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 93 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-120 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 11.82kg / 26lbs | 14.11kg / 31lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7-7/16" x 20-1/16" x 12-11/16"
189.0 x 510.0 x 323.0mm | 8-5/16" x 23-7/16" x 12-1/8"
211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm |
|---|
Premier 500C and Premier 520LCR 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Premier 500C is a 3-way design whereas the Premier 520LCR v2 is a 2-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.
Paradigm 500CParadigm Premier 520LCR v2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Paradigm 500C |
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
2 x 6-inch
|
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. On the other hand, the Premier 520LCR v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 500C has a frequency range of 73-25k Hz whereas Premier 520LCR v2 has a frequency range of 75-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 73Hz, the Premier 500C can go slightly deeper then the Premier 520LCR v2's min frequency of 75Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 500C and Premier 520LCR v2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 500C sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Premier 520LCR v2's is at 93 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm 500C, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Premier 500C features Binding post type posts and Premier 520LCR v2 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm 500C's Binding post terminals
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 500C's and Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2's external dimensions. 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) whereas Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has external dimensions of 211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm ().
Paradigm 500C is 85.3mm narrower and 22.1mm shorter than Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 but it is also 15mm deeper.
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 520LCR v2 needs about 11% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm 500C is 15mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is 22mm 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 500C is approximately 1647.3cm2 / 255.3inch2 and base area of the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is approximately 1833.5cm2 / 284.2inch2. The Premier 500C requires 10% less surface area than the Premier 520LCR 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 500C weighs 11.82kg / 26lbs and the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 weighs 14.11kg / 31lbs. This makes the Premier 520LCR v2 19% heavier than the Premier 500C.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 500C and Premier 520LCR v2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
What's in the Box of Paradigm 500C?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Premier 500C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
73 Hz
vs
75 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
189mm
vs
211mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1647cm2
vs
1833cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
850USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 500C |
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
93 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
73-25k Hz |
75-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
carbon-infused polypropylene |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
6" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
189.0mm (7.4") |
211.1mm (8.3") |
| Width |
510.0mm (20.1") |
595.3mm (23.4") |
| Depth |
323.0mm (12.7") |
308.0mm (12.1") |
| Weight |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
14.11kg (31lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
|
| Available Colors |
Gloss White |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (73Hz vs 75Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 93dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($850 vs $900 a pair). |
A Paradigm 500C B Paradigm Premier 520LCR 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.