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 800F is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 and Paradigm 800F first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 | Paradigm 800F |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" | 2 x 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 75-23k Hz | 43-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 93 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-120 watts | 15-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.11kg / 31lbs | 24.27kg / 53.4lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 42-1/8" x 9-1/4" x 13-7/8"
1070.0 x 235.0 x 353.0mm |
|---|
Premier 520LCR v2 and 800F 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 520LCR v2 is a 2-way design whereas the 800F is a 3-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 Premier 520LCR v2Paradigm 800F
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 800F |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
2 x 6.5-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 800F features a 1" Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Carbon-Infused Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 700Hz and 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Premier 520LCR v2 has a frequency range of 75-23k Hz whereas 800F has a frequency range of 43-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 43Hz, the 800F 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 800F 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 800F's is at 92 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Paradigm 800F, 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.
800F can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Premier 520LCR v2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 130 watts less than the 800F.
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
800F features Posts posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Premier 520LCR v2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Paradigm 800F's Posts terminals allows Bi-amping or 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 800F's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 has external dimensions of 211.1 x 595.3 x 308.0mm () whereas Paradigm 800F has external dimensions of 1070.0 x 235.0 x 353.0mm (42-1/8 x 9-1/4 x 13-7/8inch).
Paradigm Premier 520LCR v2 is 858.9mm shorter and 45mm less deeper than Paradigm 800F but it is also 360.3mm 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 121% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm 800F is 45mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Paradigm 800F is 859mm 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 800F is approximately 829.6cm2 / 128.6inch2. The Premier 520LCR v2 requires 121% more surface area than the 800F which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of Paradigm 800F?
Here are the items that come with the 800F:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
Grille
4 Rubber feet
4 Spike feet
4 Hex-nuts
2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
Owner's Manual
Online Registration Card
Unboxing Instructions