Paradigm PS-1200 will rock your world.
Written: Sep 09 '08 (Updated Sep 09 '08)
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Pros: Low frequency extension, "boom" for the buck. Tuneable to any system/setup.
Cons: Ask the neighbors.
The Bottom Line: Don't miss out on the BOTTOM line... get one.
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| bimmaguy's Full Review: Paradigm PS-1200 Subwoofer Speaker |
Paradigm's PS-1200 is what you think a sub should be. It's big, heavy, and loud. That said, the devil is in the details...
I've always enjoyed a slightly bass-heavy sound when listening to music. I've always been convinced that when it comes to bass, the more the better. One day I decided to upgrade the subs I had (2 Denon 12" subs in a custom enclosure with external amp), mostly because the wife hated the huge box and tangled nest of wires that were dominating the livingroom.
In my shopping around, I auditioned several subs and was incredibly disappointed at these pathetic woofers (not subs) rife with distortion and completely bereft of low end (below 40 hZ). I was about to admit defeat and possibly consult a divorce lawyer before I happened across a used PS-1200 at a local hi-fi store.
For reference, we used a brand-new PS-1000 and switched between the two. The PS-1000 was one of the best subs I had come across, but left me feeling unfulfilled compared to the volume-monster system I had at home.
We switched over to the PS-1200, and the lights of heaven shone down on me. The distressed, hollow sound of the Ps-1000 at high levels was replaced by a rich, deep, effortless bass I had only before experienced in expensive car systems.
I was actually hearing things in the recordings that were barely perceptible using my overblown system. It turns out that I was actually listening to music, not just farty noise as I had been convinced of with all previous demos and present system.
Unconcerned with the durability, I proceeded to try many sources, and increasingly high listening levels. The PS-1200 never showed any signs of distress at all, regardless of what I threw at it, and provided so much clarity and dynamic range in the bottom octaves that I was immediately sold.
I brought it home, plugged it in, and was immediately amazed by everything that had been missing. From 20 feet away in a home, this will shake your thorax with the right material, without sounding like it's going to explode or introducing any un-natural boominess.
Placing it in a room is fairly easy, and much more flexible than other subs. Many subs incorporate a polarity or phase switch, which makes the sub either in or out of phase with the rest of your system, compensating for poor acoustics or placement.
The PS-1200 incorporates a unique (and totally praiseworthy) phase knob that allows 0-180 degree adjustment of the phase. In reality, this is likely a digital delay of some sort. What this allows is custom fine-tuning of the sub to compensate for placement or acoustic problems. In practical terms, I was able to make the bass "impact" shift from the front to back speakers with slight adjustments to this knob. This WILL make a huge difference, but to do it properly and efficiently, an assistant will be required to slowly turn the knob back and forth until the desired sound image is obtained at the listening area.
All contols and connections are clearly labelled and easy to use. There are multiple hook up options, but the preferred method is a direct sub out with a good-quality RCA cable. Satellite high-pass connections are also available to fit any system. Jokingly, I've threatened to hook it up to our clock radio, and it is theoretically possible. GOOD MORNING!!!!
During the months I have had it, I've thrown all kinds of stuff at it, and have never heard it sound anything but precise, controlled, and effortless. Even the wife says she hears an improvement over the old system, and begrudgingly admits it improves our system dramatically.
Movies with DTS especially have such impact and dynamic range now that they sometimes get genuinely frightening.
The only downside I have found with this sub is that with lots of hard use, lightbulbs don't last long, and drywall tends to shake loose of it's screws. It's doing structural damage to my home, I'll probably be deaf when I'm 60, my neighbors hate me... and I love it dearly.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 450 CDN
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Epinions.com ID:
bimmaguy
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Reviews written: 4
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