Paragon2

Paragon2 is our expression of the ultimate loudspeaker. Visually and sonically it is without rival or compromise.

From the structural elements and cabinet integrity to the genuine leather exterior and matching black gloss side panels, Paragon is firmly in the State-Of-The-Art category.

The design and technology applied to both baffle diffraction and time alignment issues along with the clean tapered angles all serve to optimise sound dispersion and create a truly holographic musical presentation that is 'soundly' unique. Air and depth never heard in recordings before and vast sound staging with uncanny realism and pin-point accuracy.

The Drivers

At the heart of Paragon2 are pedigree drivers that integrate perfectly to present a totally seamless top-to-bottom sound source.

High frequencies are reproduced by the Morel Supreme 110, a 28mm, hand-coated soft dome tweeter using neodymium magnets, a technology pioneered by Morel. The perfect acoustic loading under the dome ensures there is no compression or harmonic distortion. The result is an effortless and natural high frequency.

Critical to any speaker is the midrange where the human ear detects so much of the layered inner detail, fine harmonic texture and overall realism. For Image there was only one choice, an 'absolute gem' 16cm driver, also from Morel. This carbon fibre/Rohacell unit coded SCM634 bears some similarities to the driver used in our Petite Performa2 but is a dedicated midrange driver that utilises an underhung external voice coil. The company's new DLIS (Dynamic Linear Impedance Stabilizer) technology uses a copper insulated centre pole to maintain a smooth impedance curve under dynamic conditions. Having DLIS and an extraordinary linear upper response means we employ a minimalist crossover circuit so that every nuance can take its rightful place in the perfectly structured and defined soundstage. This is arguably the highest performance midrange available and a breakthrough in design.

With relatively high midrange and treble efficiency, and because Paragon2 is primarily for larger rooms, two fast response 21cm bass drivers are used to match the speed and dynamics of the midrange, plus have the necessary cone area to maintain the overall frequency balance. The rigid aerodynamic cast aluminium chassis and Nomex cones are there to see, but the most important design features are hidden behind this and within the laminated Paragon 2 cabinet.

The Cabinets

Our Revelation2 model utilises the same drivers as Paragon2. They are the perfect match, have the same sonic 'signature' and "sing as one", a designers dream. But the similarities end there. With Paragon2, our design focus had no constraints and was all about perfecting sound staging, depth of field and a presentation of the original performance that was totally life-life in scale and presentation. To this end, Paragon2 is constructed from two separate enclosures that are connected by minimal physical securing points. The bass cabinets are constructed from a lamination of dissimilar high and mid density materials along with extensive bracing, all mechanically linked and bonded to create an incredibly rigid enclosure. This is time consuming construction, but a heavy-wall inert enclosure goes along way in reducing or even nullifying cabinet colourations inherent in almost all commercially made speakers. With the addition of hand packed specific sand-filled base cavities we have created an almost perfect enclosure. The result is an articulate, dynamic and well-controlled bass response.

Then there's the midrange enclosure, mechanically separate to isolate bass energy affects in the discerning midrange region, always a challenge in high-end speaker design. Intricate design, shape and construction plus the laminated 37mm front baffle ensure the neutrality of the SCM634 mid driver is maintained. Heavy acoustic wool-fibre damping in this sub-enclosure absorbs all unwanted rear energy.

High quality crossover components and internal wiring are crucial in getting the audio signal to the speaker drivers without signal loss or degradation. Only the best of these have been employed, selected for their performance within specific parts of the circuitry. We spent many hours auditioning numerous cables until we found the best for Paragon. Supra multistrand OFC Concentric Cable from Sweden was chosen for the natural and musical balance we desired, and this is used throughout.

And at the rear of the enclosure, along with the tapered port, is a sturdy black anodised metal plate supporting the gold-plated bi-wire input terminals from WBT in Germany that boast high conductivity and high signal flow. Optimum signal transfer to the speakers is vital if you expect to extract every subtle nuance from a recording that Paragon can and will accurately reproduce. WBT excel in this role.