In this review, we will be comparing Premier 500C and Premier 600C, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Paradigm.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm 500C and Paradigm 600C first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm 500C | Paradigm 600C |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens | 1" X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
|---|
| Midrange | 4" | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5.5" carbon-infused polypropylene | 4 x 6.5" carbon-infused polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 73-25k Hz | 60-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 94 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-120 watts | 15-180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 11.82kg / 26lbs | 19.55kg / 43lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 8-3/16" x 35-11/16" x 13-11/16"
208.0 x 907.0 x 348.0mm |
|---|
Premier 500C and Premier 600C 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 500C and Paradigm 600C 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 500C |
Paradigm 600C |
| 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Premier 500C and Premier 600C are 3-way speakers.
Paradigm 500CParadigm 600C
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 600C |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 4-inch |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
4 x 6.5-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 600C features a 1" aluminum X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 4 x 6.5" carbon-infused polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 500C has a frequency range of 73-25k Hz whereas Premier 600C has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the Premier 600C can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 500C's min frequency of 73Hz.
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 600C 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 600C's is at 94 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Paradigm 600C a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm 500C, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Premier 600C can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS, whereas Premier 500C has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 60 watts less than the Premier 600C.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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 500C features Binding post type posts and Premier 600C has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm 500C's Binding post terminals
Paradigm 600C'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 600C'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 600C has external dimensions of 208.0 x 907.0 x 348.0mm (8-3/16 x 35-11/16 x 13-11/16inch).
Paradigm 600C is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 397mm wider, 19mm taller and 25mm deeper than Paradigm 500C.
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 600C needs about 92% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm 600C is 25mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm 600C is 19mm 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 600C is approximately 3156.4cm2 / 489.2inch2. The Premier 500C requires 48% less surface area than the Premier 600C 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 600C weighs 19.55kg / 43lbs. This makes the Premier 600C 65% heavier than the Premier 500C.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 500C and Premier 600C's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
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
What's in the Box of Paradigm 600C?
Here are the items that come with the Premier 600C:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
- 4 Rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Online Registration Card
- Center Channel Elevation Gauge
 Height |
189mm
vs
208mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1647cm2
vs
3156cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
850USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
73 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 500C |
Paradigm Premier 600C |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Paradigm |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
15-120 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
94 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
73-25k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
carbon-infused polypropylene |
carbon-infused polypropylene |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
X-PAL dome with PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
4" |
4" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
189.0mm (7.4") |
208.0mm (8.2") |
| Width |
510.0mm (20.1") |
907.0mm (35.7") |
| Depth |
323.0mm (12.7") |
348.0mm (13.7") |
| Weight |
11.82kg (26lbs) |
19.55kg (43lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Gloss White |
Gloss White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| 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 600C digs deeper - 60Hz against 73Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Paradigm 600C is more sensitive (94dB vs 92dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Paradigm 600C takes more power (180W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Paradigm 500C is easier to place; Paradigm 600C is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Passive Radiator. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | A | Paradigm 500C is cheaper - $850 against $1,099, about 23% less. |
A Paradigm 500C B Paradigm 600C
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 600C leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Paradigm 500C is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 73Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Paradigm 500C much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Paradigm 600C has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Paradigm 500C 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.