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 120B v2 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 and Paradigm Premier 120B v2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 | Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" | 5.5" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 75-23k Hz | 62-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-120 watts | 15-130 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.11kg / 31lbs | 7.39kg / 16.3lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 12-1/16" x 7" x 12-3/16"
306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm |
|---|
Premier 520LCR v2 and Premier 120B 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 520LCR v2 and Premier 120B v2 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2Paradigm Premier 120B 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 Premier 520LCR v2 |
Paradigm Premier 120B v2 |
|
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 with a Crossover frequency at 650Hz and 1500Hz. On the other hand, the Premier 120B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1200Hz.
Frequency Response
Premier 520LCR v2 has a frequency range of 75-23k Hz whereas Premier 120B v2 has a frequency range of 62-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 62Hz, the Premier 120B v2 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
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 120B v2 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 120B v2's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm Premier 120B v2, 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 120B v2 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS, whereas Premier 520LCR v2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Premier 120B v2.
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.
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Premier 520LCR v2 features Binding post type posts and Premier 120B 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 520LCR v2's and Paradigm Premier 120B v2's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has external dimensions of 211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm () whereas Paradigm Premier 120B v2 has external dimensions of 306.4 x 177.8 x 309.6mm ().
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is 95.3mm shorter and 1.6mm less deeper than Paradigm Premier 120B v2 but it is also 417.5mm wider.
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 233% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm Premier 120B v2 is 95mm 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 Premier 120B v2 is approximately 550.5cm2 / 85.3inch2. The Premier 520LCR v2 requires 233% more surface area than the Premier 120B v2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.