Paradigm DSP series subs

So Paradigm came out with a new line of subs? Nice. Although the PS-1000 is decently loud, it doesn't really go that low. I am shocked to hear its replacement faired worst in the low department!? Yikes.

EDIT: Are you talking about Paradigm's PS-1000? After posting, I have a feeling you are not.

I am currently doing a dedicated home theatre in my basement. I was originally going to go with two PDR-12's, but my home theatre guy suggested 2 of these new subs, the DSP-3100 10". They are $100 cheaper as was mentioned before, and apparently the Paradigm rep said it would pound better than the 12's. I am glad that this was brought up because I have been checking Paradigm's website for any info and also searching the web, and didn't find anything. Any info is appreciated on these. Thanks!

I'm in the market for a sub $500 sub. I stopped by my local shop and gave a quick listen to the DSP 3100. I listened to a bit of jazz with upright bass, some classical with organ, and a bit of an Eagles concert DVD. Sounded pretty good to me; but then I'm shopping for a sub and don't have much to compare it to. I'm thinking of getting a HSU sub sight unseen, but am a bit hesitant about not being able to audition first.

They didn't have any literature, and there's nothing on Paradigm's site yet, either. So no idea what the specs are.

- Jasen.

I stopped by my local shop this afternoon with a fistful of discs and gave a quick listen to Paradigm's DSP 3100. It was paired with an NAD DVD player and receiver, and a set of Paradigm Cinema series speakers; I'm not sure of the exact model, but they were probably the 110s - they were tall and thin. The sub was placed next to the listening couch.

The set up was on a raised platform in their main showroom rather than in a theater room; I would guess it was at least 30 x 60. So the room was very large. Not an ideal configuration.

The DSP 3100 has level, cross over (I think it went up to 150Hz), and phase knobs (phase is continuously variable from 0-180), binding posts and L&R RCA jacks. It is front firing with forward facing ports. There is a little Paradigm badge on the bottom front with a blue LED. (I'm not a big fan of random LEDs.)

I listened to some selections from Telarc's Handel: Messiah, and Telarc's Tchaikovsy's 1812 (the one with the real cannons).
The Messiah disc has some nice deep stringed bass. Sounded good to me.

The 1812 has the cannons, of course; appropriately floor shaking, and paint peeling. I actually felt there was good placement of the cannons in the sound field, too - one to the left, one to the right, one in the middle.

Finally, I listened to "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" - from "Grond - The Hammer of the Underworld" (the big battering ram) through "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields" (the oliphant battle). Again, there seemed to be plenty of deep bass. The floor rumbled. Things shook and rattled.

However, there was something missing. It might have just been the room, or the front speakers, but I definitely was not getting a sharp punch, or crispness like I felt I should be. I think I was missing the frequency range from somewhere around 150Hz down to... say 70ish. I think that'd be called the mid-bass. I mentioned it to the salesman and he agreed that the fronts were weak in this area.

I have no idea where the crossover was set (in the receiver, in the subwoofer, or both) and other tuning parameters, but this lack of mid-bass really detracted from the overall experience.

I'm looking at the Paradigm DSP 3100 for a couple of reasons:
1) I have Paradigms for my fronts and surrounds (3se MkII and ADP 170)
2) I have a local dealer where I can audition, and they'll even loan me one for a day.

A couple things I didn't like about the DSP:
1) LED - I don't need any more light sources in my room.
2) Front firing. I have a young child and I _THINK_ I'd be better off with a down-firing sub. (Anyone care to comment on the trade-offs here?)

I don't know if all that helps anyone, but there it is.

- Jasen.

Anyone listen to the DSP 3400? Is it better than the PW2200 ?

I can't find anywhere data sheet for the DSP series, Paradigm's web site is not up to date.

Hi everyone. I will be purchasing Paradigm speakers shortly. M9's for fronts, CC-290 for centre, and ADP-190 for rears. My question is: Should I get the DSP-3100 or DSP-3200 for the sub. My home theatre will be in a small room, however, sometime in the future I will be moving my theatre to a room that is larger. I'm leaning towards the DSP-3200. Is this a problem for a small room (re-even sound distribution etc.)? Can the front right M9 be right beside the DSP-3200 or do they have to be separted so many feet? I don't have flexibility in my small room. 12 feet wide, 16 long, 7 feet high.

Thanks fellow AVS members.

have you considered SVS or HSU?? I also have a full line of Paradigm products (Studio Line) but I went with SVS when I was considering the subwoofer. You just get more "bang" for the buck with other companies when it comes to subs. I room was only 19x17.

I have the dsp-3200 for the last couple days. My previous sub was the paradigm pw2200 v2. This sub hasn't been worked in yet but seems like it goes alot deeper and tighter than the 2200. PLUS ITS WAYY smaller

Did you get any documents with your DSP-3200? Especially a spec sheet? There still is nothing on Paradigm's site about these new subs. I'd like to see some numbers on them to help make a decision.

- Jasen.

Some facts from spec sheet:

#1-DSP-3100 #2-DSP-3200
Single driver, bass reflex, dual high-velocity low-turbulance resistive ports, built-in amplifier (same for both models)

Amplifier: High-Current, Discrete Output

DSP-3100-600 watts Dynamic Peak / 200 watts RMS Sustained
DSP-3200-900 watts Dynamic Peak / 300 watts RMS Sustained

Low-Frequency Extension
DSP-3100 - 24Hz
DSP-3200 - 22Hz

Subwoofer Cut-Off Requency
#1-DSP-3100 #2-DSP-3200
Variable 35Hz-150 Hz; Bypass option (same for both)

Sub/Sat Phase Alignment
DSP-3100 - 0' - 180'
DSP-3200 - 0' - 180'

Weight
DSP-3100 DSP-3200
40 lb each 54 lb each

What do these numbers/specs mean in real world terms?

Thanks

So does the above specs indicate that the DSP-3200 is good for a smaller space, plus do the specs indicate better sound at lower volumes? Just trying to educate myself!

Bump

After having this sub for a couple days and working it in a little. It without a doubt goes deeper than the pw 2200 and seem alot tighter also. just more punchy. The speaker looks awesome btw i even removed the grill. I love how the amp doesnt get really hot as he 2200 did. Overall thou very happy with this sub - its smaller but more powerful

What are the dimensions and MSRP or these new Paradigm subs?

I was just in visiting my home theatre guy today. Next Wednesday they are installing all of my stuff. Amongst the stuff I am getting 2 of the 3100's as I mentioned above. I haven't heard them, but today when I was in there they had the 3300 I believe it is
(14" woofer) going and it pounded and rattled the whole building. It was fresh out of the box and my guy says that it will be 3 to 4 times better when it is worked in. He said that my set up is going to kick ass. I don't know about all of the technical stuff, but when I get my subs I will scan the spec sheets and post them up here. Keep on posting the info though, it is much appreciated.

Here's what I found about these sub's... There seem to be a 14" model.interesting...

http://www.audioholics.com/news/trad...dsp-subwoofers

Hey All,

I've just picked up a DSP 3100 as a christmas present to go along with a denon 4308. the rest of the system is a set of paradigm cinema series 330s L\\C\\R and cinema ADPs.

i'll let you all know how this setup works right after Christmas when the wife lets me rip open the boxes!!!

Big C

I just upgraded my PW2200 V.2. I listened to (I believe) the 14" and the 12" DSP subs. They did sound very nice!

I ended up walking out with a Seismic12 though

Merry Christmas All!

Just a quick update, finally got the boxes open on the Wife's Christmas presents - A shiny new Denon AVR4308 and the Paradigm DSP-3100 to complement my Paradigm Cinema Series 330's. Just getting into the configuration and some tests now, but so far Wow. DEEP bass. surprising for a 10'. no need to turn up the amp past half way in my house, or the receiver much and a heart warming THUMP can be felt. more detailed testing to follow for anyone interested.

Big C

Been playing with this sub in my system now for about a week. WOW. watching movies shakes my theater room (11x18x9) completely. I haven't turned the denon past about -20DB for movies as yet, and i am completely satisfied. With music the DSP-3100 doesn't dissapoint either. completely worth the investment, and i'm still breaking it in. We'll really see what it can do in a few more weeks.

3 to 4 times better after it gets worked in? hehehehe that salesman has you eating from the palm of his hand.
Of the 8 subs I've owned (4 Paradigm servo 15's , pw2200, DD15, PSB subsonic6 and some old jamo thing) The most DB's have ever increased is 1db on the 25hz tone with the 4 servo's. I don't buy break in for a second, especially if the sub had anything but a solid rubber surround, and even then.... next I'm gonna go burn in some cables and my pre/pro and amp!! hehehe

Decent subs for the pricepoint

Spec sheet...

http://www.xfaudio.it/pdf/Paradigm_DSP_PDS.pdf

Thanks for the spec sheet. Spec-wise the 3100 looks extremely similar to the Outlaw LFM-1C I just ordered. I have Paradigms for the rest of my speakers, so the 3100 is still VERY tempting. I just wish there were more reviews and measurements available. I guess when it comes to stuff like this I'd rather go with tried and proven rather than the latest thing - I'll leave that to the likes of Craig.

- Jasen.

Bump....

The 3200 is very attractive. I'm toying with the idea of getting the 3200 or 3400.

Get the 3400,the 14" driver it uses can move a good bit of air,plus for once the sub is not underported like too many commercial subs sold in stores.

It has slam it has great output,what it lacks is abyss deep bass.

I wish Paradigm tuned these subs deeper,that however would = larger cabinets and HSU like bent ports (Turbo). And they want to keep things on the more compact side.

^^^That's what my gut's telling me, I really like the rosenut finish. I need a cosmetically appealing sub. Another option is to wait for a MFW-15 in the Rosa Satin finish. I need something that sounds as good as my HSU 3.3 .

I just bought the dsp 3400 and I'm comparing it to my friend's pw2200 v2. There is no doubt with a number of movie scenes tested that the 3400 is clearly more forceful than the 2200 and it DOES go deeper. It is subsonic and it sounds it with no apology. When testing it on Star Wars AOTC opening platform explosion, it took no prisoners. When watching Jurassic Park on DTS....the Spinosaurus/T Rex fight scene it dealt the room a crushing amount of LFE with extreme prejudice. The output dial was at the half way center knotch only. I wouldn't dream of putting it higher. At the middle position it overwhelms my speaker system. I have to turn down the output dial to about 10 o'clock position to survive a 90 minute movie.

The clarity is definitely greater than the 2200 and the frequency goes down to below 20hz with authority.

I have 30 days to return it for my full money back and I can tell you that not only will I keep it but it will be the last subwoofer I'll ever own. It overwhelms my expectations. I'm very happy with my purchase.

Looks, quality, fit and finish are second to none.

Buy this with confidence.