• 21/10/2022
  • By binternet
  • 509 Views

Test Paradigm Founder 120h: a Hifi colossus speaker in high -end column format<

Flagship model of the new range of Founder acoustic speakers of the Canadian manufacturer Paradigm, the 120h Founder is an atypical column model.With its three amplified grave speakers, with an automatic calibration system depending on the acoustics of the room, it intends to go down without weakening up to 22 Hz!It's impressive on paper.Is it as much in reality?

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Founder 120h paradigm

Type: 3-way column speaker, bass-reflex, with grave active acts of on-mag: (5/5) Price: € 9,600 per pair

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We have already published an article presenting in detail the technical characteristics, technologies and acoustic topology of the Founder 120h paradigm.Recall that this is a three-way speaker, equipped with five speakers.The treble is provided by an al-Mac dome tweeter (aluminum, magnesium and ceramic) armed with a pavilion primer and an acoustic lens.The medium is entrusted to an al-Mag transducer (aluminum and magnesium) of 15.2 cm which also has an acoustic lens for the optimization of the phase and its own fitted isolated load.Then come, for the grave, three 21.5 cm carbon-X type woofers (polypropylene reinforced by carbon fiber), granted by a large tubular vent leading under cabinetmaking.These woofers are amplified.The Founder 120h paradigm is therefore semi-active.It claims 1000 Watts RMS in continuous diet and 2000 watts on dynamic peaks.Its power stages are managed by DSP and the ARC (Anthem Room Correction) acoustic correction system developed by Anthem, a Canadian brand specializing in Hifi and Home Cinema amplifiers, which is part of the same group as Paradigm.

All the speakers in the Founder 120h paradigm employ owner technologies and are exclusive.The enclosure also uses many amortization, decoupling and reinforcement systems to curb the appearance of parasitic vibrations.Paradigm is one of the rare speakers manufacturers who master their production from start to finish.

A colossus enclosure not so massive as that

The specifications of the Founder 120h paradigm are impressive.The speaker announces Cover from 22 Hz to 23 kHz at ± 2 dB and even reach 18 Hz according to DIN standard with a yield of 92 dB and an eligible power of 300 watts.Before seeing it in real life, you can imagine that it is a monster.It is certainly quite large and relatively heavy, but ultimately less imposing than you could anticipate it.It is a little deeper and wider, but barely higher than Kelinac Kel 714 mg.

Test Founder 120h paradigm : une enceinte Hifi colosse au format de colonne haut de gamme

The construction of the enclosure seems extremely serious in all respects.The entirety is of an extreme industrial rigor, leaving no room for DIY.The realization and the finish are impeccable, undoubtedly high -end.The magnetic cabinet, made of a thick aluminum plate that dresses the expansion of the speakers, brings a premium touch.Although the side walls are doublely tilted, we can nevertheless find the slightly austere line.There are also a few luxury craft elements to go into the haute couture sphere of high fidelity.

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A serious visceral register that is tamed thanks to the automatic arc calibration

Listening, it does not take 30 seconds to realize with the Founder 120h paradigm that we are dealing with Hifi (or home cinema) speakers extraordinary.The presence of two grave boxes amplified in the boxes makes it possible to "force the resonance modes of the room" (which is not feasible from a single grave box) and descend extremely low in frequency.The feeling of physical pressure is particularly impressive, even disturbing on certain pieces of music here.

We first tried the Founder 120h paradigm without involving the Arcoustic Correction System.This has allowed us to see that they are completely exploitable as it is and relatively not very sensitive to the proximity of a wall, but that it is necessary to dispose of a relatively large room. La nôtre mesure environ 35 m2.On "At the beginning it was the beginning" of The Limiñanas with Laurent Garnier and Bertrand Belin, we discover a monumental grave tablecloth that punctuates the song and gives the impression every three seconds that an elephant jumped with attached feet in the'Apartment above or a semi-trailer of 36 tonnes passes us above our heads.The Founder 120h paradigm are the only pregnant in their category and far beyond producing this visceral feeling of the serious register and allowing to take the measure of the desired artistic effect in this.

We then implemented the Arcoustic Correction System.To do this, you need a computer with two USB ports available.The two USB cables several meters long, the measurement microphone and its tripod are supplied with the Founder 120h paradigm.The procedure consists in successively connecting each of the speakers through its USB port located at the rear so that it is recognized by the Arc software.The two speakers are thus paired and communicate between them wirelessly.Then we launch the measurement by placing the microphone at the listening point and in four other points of the play.Arc software automatically calculates the correction curve to be made to the serious register of each speaker and then transmits it.If you take your time and follow the instructions, the configuration operation takes place without a hitch.In our case, it allowed us to discover a big tonic of our room between 25 and 30 Hz.Once this phenomenon has been corrected, the restitution has gained in balance while retaining its monumental bass.The connection between the grave and the other registers has improved, becoming more fluid, more natural.

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The Founder 120h paradigm do not only deliver stunning, ultra physical bass.They are also capable of a large and deep sound image.Their mediums and acute are very high definition, very precise and detailed.They leave no details in the shadows.The sound is of great transparency, lively and without coloring or acidity.

In summary

The paradigm Founder 120h speakers are large high -end columns, capable of stirring mountains.With their amplified severe sections and their Automatic ARC calibration system taking into account the acoustics of the listening part, they provide a serious register of a depth and an unparalleled outfit.Their high of the spectrum is also an excellent definition.These are fully extraordinary achievements with performance.They are not made to please everyone, but do not leave anyone indifferent and can prove to be exciting.

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Les Founder 120h paradigm décortiquées par ON-mag

View the embedded image gallery online at:https://www.on-mag.fr/index.php/topaudio/tests-auditions/23264-test-paradigm-founder-120h-une-enceinte-hifi-colosse-au-format-de-colonne-haut-de-gamme#sigProIdb1061f8d3d

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