In this review, we will be comparing Premier 720 v2 and Prime Pinnacle, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Paradigm and SVS.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 720 v2 and SVS Prime Pinnacle first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 720 v2 | SVS Prime Pinnacle |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | SVS
United States · founded 1998 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 5.25" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6" | 3 x 6.5" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-23k Hz | 29-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-220 watts | 20-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 25.99kg / 57.2lbs | 25.95kg / 57.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 39-3/4" x 12-1/2" x 17"
1009.7 x 317.5 x 431.8mm | 41" x 8" x 13-15/16"
1042.0 x 204.0 x 355.0mm |
|---|
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 720 v2 is a 2-way design whereas the Prime Pinnacle 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 720 v2SVS Prime Pinnacle
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 720 v2 |
SVS Prime Pinnacle |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
3 x 6.5-inch
|
Premier 720 v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500Hz and 1300Hz. On the other hand, the Prime Pinnacle features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 3 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 300Hz and 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
Premier 720 v2 has a frequency range of 55-23k Hz whereas Prime Pinnacle has a frequency range of 29-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the Prime Pinnacle can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 720 v2's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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 720 v2 and Prime Pinnacle have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 720 v2 sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Prime Pinnacle's is at 88 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 720 v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to SVS Prime Pinnacle, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
Prime Pinnacle can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Premier 720 v2 has a max power handling value of 220 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Prime Pinnacle.
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 720 v2 features 5-Way post type posts and Prime Pinnacle has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
SVS Prime Pinnacle's 5-Way 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 Premier 720 v2's and SVS Prime Pinnacle's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 720 v2 has external dimensions of 1009.7 x 317.5 x 431.8mm () whereas SVS Prime Pinnacle has external dimensions of 1042.0 x 204.0 x 355.0mm (41 x 8 x 13-15/16inch).
SVS Prime Pinnacle is 113.5mm narrower and 76.8mm less deeper than Paradigm Premier 720 v2 but it is also 32.3mm taller.
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 720 v2 needs about 89% more floor or shelf area. Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is 77mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. SVS Prime Pinnacle is 32mm 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 720 v2 is approximately 1371.0cm2 / 212.5inch2 and base area of the SVS Prime Pinnacle is approximately 724.2cm2 / 112.3inch2. The Premier 720 v2 requires 89% more surface area than the Prime Pinnacle which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Premier 720 v2 weighs 25.99kg / 57.2lbs and the SVS Prime Pinnacle weighs 25.95kg / 57.1lbs. This makes the Premier 720 v2 0% heavier than the Prime Pinnacle.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 720 v2 and Prime Pinnacle's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of SVS Prime Pinnacle?
Here are the items that come with the Prime Pinnacle:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille (pre-installed)
- 4 Elastomer isolation feet (pre-installed)
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Nuts
- 4 Protective discs
- Owners Manual
- SVS brochure
- Online Product Registration Card
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
1009mm
vs
1042mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
220 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
29 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
724cm2
vs
1371cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 720 v2 |
SVS Prime Pinnacle |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
SVS |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
15-220 watts |
20-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-23k Hz |
29-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
3 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
5.25" |
| Crossover Frequency |
500Hz and 1300Hz |
300Hz and 2100Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1009.7mm (39.8") |
1042.0mm (41") |
| Width |
317.5mm (12.5") |
204.0mm (8") |
| Depth |
431.8mm (17") |
355.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
25.99kg (57.2lbs) |
25.95kg (57.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Black |
| 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 |
A generation apart: Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | SVS Prime Pinnacle digs deeper - 29Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is more sensitive (92dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | SVS Prime Pinnacle takes more power (300W vs 220W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | SVS Prime Pinnacle is easier to place; Paradigm Premier 720 v2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Paradigm Premier 720 v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,000 vs $2,000 a pair). |
A Paradigm Premier 720 v2 B SVS Prime Pinnacle
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?
SVS Prime Pinnacle has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Paradigm Premier 720 v2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, SVS Prime Pinnacle 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.