OWNERS MANUAL PRESTIGE Online Singles 120514

REFERENCE COLLECTIONTMSeries Owners Manual

IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE WALL-MOUNTING PARADIGMPRESTIGE 25S SURROUND/REAR SPEAKERS:Wall mount your Paradigm Prestige 25S speakers securely enough that theycannot fall and cause personal injury or damage to property.Paradigm DOES NOT supply hardware for mounting Paradigm Prestige 25Sspeakers to the wall. Always use screws appropriate for wall type andweight of speakers.If installing into drywall, install into 1/2 (13 mm) or 5/8 (16 mm) drywallonly. Screws must be long enough to go through anchor bolts (not supplied) andfirmly into drywall.NON LIABILITY: We are aware that the mounting assemblies provided for speakersin this manual could be used for purposes and in ways other than those for whichthey were intended. The manufacturer, distributor, retailer and their respective agentscannot be held responsible or liable for injuries or property damage—direct, indirector consequential—arising from the use of or inability to use these products safelyand properly. Every effort has been made to provide accurate, error-free installationinstructions. Paradigm Electronics Inc. disclaims liability for difficulties that may arisefrom the misinterpretation of information contained in these instructions.RECYCLING AND REUSE GUIDELINES (Europe)In accordance with the European Union WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directiveeffective August 13, 2005, we would like to notify you that our speakers may contain regulatedmaterials which, upon disposal, require special reuse and recycling processing. For this reasonParadigm Electronics Inc. (the manufacturer of Paradigm speakers and Anthem electronics products) has arranged with its distributors in European Union member nations to collect and recyclethis product at no cost to you. To find your local distributor please contact the dealer from whomyou purchased this product or go to our website at paradigm.com.Please note that only the product falls under the WEEE directive. When disposing of packaging andother shipping material we encourage you to recycle through the normal channels.PARADIGM, PARADIGM REFERENCE COLLECTION, PRESTIGE and all associated proprietary andpatented designs and technologies are registered trademarks of Paradigm Electronics Inc. Copyright Paradigm Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of theirrespective owner(s). Paradigm Electronics reserves the right to change specifications and/or featureswithout notice as design improvements are incorporated.paradigm.comParadigm Electronics Inc.,205 Annagem Boulevard,Mississauga, ON, Canada L5T 2V1MAN0099 012815

TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Unpacking Instructions (FloorstandingSpeakers) Securing Rubber Feet (Floor)or Spikes (Carpet) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2General Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Break in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Preventing Speaker Damage . . . . . . . . .Amplifier Distortion — The #1 Culprit! . .More Powerful Amplifiers are Safer . . .Volume Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .There is a Limit! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Right Amount of Power . . . . . . . . . .333344Your Listening Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Stand Mounting (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Attaching Bumper Pads to Bookshelf/Center/Surround Speakers . . . . . . . . . . 6Bookshelf and Center Speakers . . . . . . . 6Surround Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Placement: Front Left &Right Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Accurate Timbre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Balanced Bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Optimal Imaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Optional On-Wall Mountingof Front Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Placement: Center Speaker . . . . . . . . . . 11Placement: Surround / Rear Speakers .5.1 Surround Configuration . . . . . . . . . .7.1 Surround Configuration . . . . . . . . . .Wall-Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stand Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1212121212Speaker Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Minimum Gauge Requirements . . . . . .Standard Connection for Prestige 15B . .Standard Connection for All Speakers(Except Prestige 15B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bi-Wire Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bi-Amp Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Horizontal Bi-Amplification . . . . . . . . . .Horizontal Bi-Amplification . . . . . . . . . .1313141516171818Fine Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Basic Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23INTRODUCTIONThank you for purchasing Paradigm Prestige Series speakers; we are confident thatyou will hear a stunning difference in your music and home theater system listeningexperience.Paradigm’s Comprehensive R&D, leading-edge technology, use of the finest materialsand sophisticated manufacturing and quality control techniques provide vastly superiorperformance for each component part and at every stage of design. Paradigm Prestige speakers will provide you with unparalleled listening pleasure for many years to come.To achieve all of the exceptional sound that these speakers are capable of providingrequires care in installation and operation. Please take the time to read this manual andfollow all instructions. If you have further questions, contact your Authorized Paradigm Reference Collection Dealer or visit the Frequently Asked Questions page in the Supportsection of our website at paradigm.com.1

UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS (FLOORSTANDING SPEAKERS)Securing Rubber Feet (Floor) or Spikes (Carpet)IMPORTANT! Follow These Steps Before Proceeding!IMPORTANT! When removing the speaker from the carton, ensurebelt buckles, rings or other jewellery do not come into contact withthe speaker and scratch the finish.Floor (Wood or Tile)12180 IANONOMID IRBRIPIABLANIGNO CKDA LLANO/RK NTHTBLA IX WA CERCHNOFOERRLNCKISENCIRUTYCENASÉEDE GLOH/MIN SSDR /ÉUIT/OR180 Carpet4180 56Floor (Wood or Tile)CarpetTurn Key to Level SpeakerTM2

GENERAL TIPSBreak-InAlthough Paradigm Prestige speakers sound great “out of the carton,” they will soundeven better once they are “broken in.” Allow them to play for several hours before youbegin any critical listening.NOTE: If your speakers have been transported or stored in the cold, let them warm toroom temperature before use.CleaningPrestige speakers have a durable premium finish. To clean, use a damp soft cloth. Do notuse a strong or abrasive cleaner. Avoid getting any part of the speaker system wet. Do notplace wet objects (drinking glasses, potted plants, etc.) on top of the speakers—if allowedto soak in, even a small amount of water may permanently damage the speaker enclosure.PREVENTING SPEAKER DAMAGEParadigm Prestige speakers are efficient and can be driven to loud listening levels withmoderate amplifier power. They are also able to handle the output of very powerfulamplifiers. To prevent damage to your speakers, please read the following guidelinesbefore hooking them up.Amplifier Distortion — The #1 Culprit!Amplifier distortion is the principal cause of speaker damage. When listening at loudlevels your amplifier may run out of clean power. It will then begin to produce distortedpower several times greater than its rated output power. This will damage any brand ofspeaker very quickly! (Ask your Dealer for amplifier recommendations.)More Powerful Amplifiers are SaferA 40 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 40 watts. If driven to50 watts, this amplifier will deliver distorted power—which will damage the speaker! A100 watt/channel amplifier will have substantial distortion above 100 watts, but very lowdistortion below 100 watts. Therefore, when the speaker requires 50 watts, this morepowerful amplifier will deliver clean power and speaker damage is less likely to occur.Volume ControlDo not be fooled by the Volume Control of your receiver/preamplifier. It only adjustslistening level—it is not a “power-output” dial. The amount of amplifier power actuallyused at a given Volume Control setting depends solely on the nature of the music youare listening to.At a given Volume Control setting a quiet section of music will use less amplifier powerthan a loud section. With typical pop-rock, jazz or large scale classical music, the ratedoutput power of many receivers/amplifiers is often reached when the Volume Controlis between the “11 and 1 o’clock” settings (with bass/treble and loudness controls notused—otherwise rated power may be reached at even lower Volume Control settings).3

PREVENTING SPEAKER DAMAGE (continued)Remember, all amplifiers produce distortion when operated beyond their rated outputpower. The resulting distortion will damage all speakers! Exercise caution! If you listenat loud levels, be careful to listen for the point of audible distortion—if the speakersbegin to sound distressed turn the Volume Control down or your speakers and/oramplifier(s) will be damaged! This type of damage constitutes abuse and is not coveredby the warranty. If louder volumes are desired, obtain a more powerful amplifier.There is a Limit!Although more powerful amplifiers are safer, there is a point at which you could havemore power than the speaker can handle. At that point you will overpower the speakerand damage it. Exercise caution! At loud levels do not increase bass/treble controlsfrom zero and ensure that all loudness/contour/bass EQ buttons are off (otherwise rated output power will be reached at lower volume control settings). If you listen at loudlevels, watch for excessive visible cone excursion (grille movement) from the woofer—then turn the Volume Control down.The Right Amount of PowerA power-range rating is given as a guide to indicate the approximate minimum andmaximum power input of your Paradigm Prestige speakers. Amplifiers that exceed yourspeaker’s power-range rating are recommended. Their greater power reserves providebetter sound. However, exercise caution! Use the speakers within their power-rangerating to prevent damage (keep listening levels below the point of excessive woofercone excursion).YOUR LISTENING ROOMParadigm Prestige speakers are designed to provide superior high-end sound in awide variety of domestic settings. However, it is important to note that listening roomconstruction, dimensions and furnishings all play a part in the quality of sound youwill ultimately achieve. Your listening room will impose its own character on theperformance capabilities of any speaker system. The extra care you take in correctlypositioning the speakers will result in greater listening enjoyment. Keep the followingguidelines in mind when deciding on the best. Mid and high frequencies are affected by the amount of soft furnishings in yourroom—curtains, carpets, sofas, wall coverings, etc. An excess of such items canresult in a somewhat dull sound. The same room without any soft furnishings canproduce a bright overall sound. The typical quantity of soft furnishings found in mostliving situations provide the right acoustic characteristics to allow the speakers tosound balanced; Concrete floors and walls tend to aggravate low-frequency standing wave problemsand are less preferred; Rooms where height, width and length are similar should be avoided as they canexhibit significant low-frequency standing wave problems. This may result in reducedclarity. If no other room is possible, experiment with speaker placement to minimizeacoustic problems.4