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  1. Home
  2. Paradigm Speakers
  3. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 vs Paradigm 100B

Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 vs Paradigm 100B Comparison

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Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2

Passive Center Channel | 75-23k Hz

Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
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Paradigm 100B

Passive Bookshelf | 68-25k Hz

Paradigm Premier 100B
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Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 Paradigm Premier 520...
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Paradigm 100B Paradigm 100B
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Paradigm Premier 520...
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Paradigm 100B
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Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 vs Paradigm 100B Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Paradigm. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is a Center Channel speaker whereas the Premier 100B is a Bookshelf speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 and Paradigm 100B first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsParadigm Premier 520LCR v2Paradigm 100B
BrandParadigm
Canada · founded 1982
Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982
Design2-way2-way
Tweeter1" Hard-Dome1" Hard-Dome
Woofer2 x 6"5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene
Frequency response75-23k Hz68-25k Hz
Sensitivity93 dB90 dB
Impedance8 ohms8 ohms
Power range—15-130 watts
Weight14.11kg / 31lbs5.86kg / 12.9lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)8-5/16" x 23-7/16" x 12-1/8"
211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm
11-3/16" x 6-3/4" x 9-11/16"
285.0 x 172.0 x 247.0mm

Premier 520LCR v2 and Premier 100B are members of Paradigm's Premier series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

Paradigm Premier Series History
Model Body Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
Paradigm 800F
  
Floor-standing 43-25k Hz 92 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
Paradigm 100B
Bookshelf 68-25k Hz 90 dB8Ω 1 x 5.5"
Paradigm 700F
  
Floor-standing 45-25k Hz 91 dB8Ω 2 x 5.5"
Paradigm 200B
  
Bookshelf 55-25k Hz 90 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
Paradigm 600C
  
Center Channel 60-25k Hz 94 dB8Ω 4 x 6.5"
Paradigm 500C
  
Center Channel 73-25k Hz 92 dB8Ω 2 x 5.5"
Paradigm Premier 220B v2
  
Bookshelf 58-23k Hz 91 dB8Ω 1 x 6"
Paradigm Premier 820 v2
  
Floor-standing 52-23k Hz 93 dB8Ω 2 x 7"
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
Center Channel 75-23k Hz 93 dB8Ω 2 x 6"
Paradigm Premier 120B v2
  
Bookshelf 62-23k Hz 90 dB8Ω 1 x 5.5"

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


Drivers

Both Premier 520LCR v2 and Premier 100B are 2-way speakers.

Woofer - 6 inchTweeter - 1 inchMidrange - 6 inchWoofer - 6 inch
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.5 inch
Paradigm 100B

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 Premier 520LCR v2 Paradigm 100B
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 2 x 6-inch 1 x 5.5-inch

Premier 520LCR v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Woofer. On the other hand, the Premier 100B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer.

Frequency Response

Premier 520LCR v2 has a frequency range of 75-23k Hz whereas Premier 100B has a frequency range of 68-25k 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 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

Premier 520LCR v2
Premier 100B
Min
Average
Median

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 520LCR v2 and Premier 100B have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 520LCR v2 sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the Premier 100B's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm 100B, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Center Channel Speakers

Premier 520LCR v2
Premier 100B
Min
Average
Median

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
 
Paradigm 100B
 

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Premier 520LCR v2 features Posts type posts and Premier 100B has a Posts 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 520LCR v2's and Paradigm 100B's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has external dimensions of 211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm () whereas 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).

Paradigm 100B is 423.3mm narrower and 61mm less deeper than Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 but it is also 73.9mm taller.

Size, drawn to scale

FRONTParadigm Premier 520LCR v2 front: 595 x 211 mm (23.4 x 8.3 in)Paradigm 100B front: 172 x 285 mm (6.8 x 11.2 in)Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2595 × 211 mmParadigm 100B172 × 285 mmTOP / FOOTPRINTParadigm Premier 520LCR v2 footprint: 595 x 308 mm (23.4 x 12.1 in)Paradigm 100B footprint: 172 x 247 mm (6.8 x 9.7 in)Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2595 × 308 mmParadigm 100B172 × 247 mm
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 332% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is 61mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm 100B is 74mm 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 Premier 520LCR v2 is approximately 1833.5cm2 / 284.2inch2 and base area of the Paradigm 100B is approximately 424.8cm2 / 65.8inch2. The Premier 520LCR v2 requires 332% more surface area than the Premier 100B which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

What's in the Box of Paradigm 100B?

Here are the items that come with the Premier 100B:
  • Bookshelf loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 4 Rubber feet
  • Owner's Manual
  • Online Registration Card


Reasons to choose Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 over Paradigm Premier 100B

Sensitivity 93 dB vs 90 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
Woofer Size 6 inches vs 5.5 inches Larger woofer
Number of Woofers 2 vs 1 More woofers
Height 211mm vs 285mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose Paradigm Premier 100B over Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2

Low Frequency Response 68 Hz vs 75 Hz Generates deeper bass
High Frequency Response 25k Hz vs 23k Hz Generates higher frequency
Base Surface Area 424cm2 vs 1833cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 800USD vs 900USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 vs Paradigm 100B Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 Paradigm Premier 100B
Brand Paradigm Paradigm
Speaker Type Center channel speaker Bookshelf speakers
Sensitivity 93 dB 90 dB
Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
Frequency Response 75-23k Hz 68-25k Hz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 2 1
Woofer Size 6" 5.5"
Woofer Composition Carbon-Infused Polypropylene
Woofer Surround Material n/a Rubber
Tweeter Size 1" 1"
Tweeter Type Hard-Dome Hard-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver 6" No
Firing Direction n/a rear
Physical Specs
Height 211.1mm (8.3") 285.0mm (11.2")
Width 595.3mm (23.4") 172.0mm (6.8")
Depth 308.0mm (12.1") 247.0mm (9.7")
Weight 14.11kg (31lbs) 5.86kg (12.9lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex
Finish n/a MDF/Lacquer
Available Colors Gloss Black Gloss white,Espresso,Black
Mounting Bracket No
Recommended Stand Height n/a 28-32"
Grille n/a Yes
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Biamp Inputs n/a No
Other
Parts Warranty 5 Years 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years 5 Years

Verdict

Siblings in Paradigm's Premier series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBParadigm 100B digs deeper - 68Hz against 75Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Amplifier needsAParadigm Premier 520LCR v2 is more sensitive (93dB vs 90dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier.
SizedependsParadigm 100B is easier to place; Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
TypedependsA Passive Center Channel against a Passive Bookshelf - a different job rather than a better one.
CabinetdependsSealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it.
PriceBParadigm 100B is cheaper - $800 against $900, about 11% less.

A Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2  B Paradigm 100B
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. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 75Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Paradigm 100B 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.


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