There Is A Top End In Wireless Speakers & The Sound Difference Is Radical

Archive, News by SmartHouse AdminDecember 2, 2015June 17, 2017 Share

Earlier this month I got a firsthand look at Paradigm Electronics premium wireless speaker offering and like the Bluesound wireless speakers there is a distinct difference between speakers like Sonos and what Paradigm are offering.

The new range which will only be sold via Australian specialist sound dealers includes the PW 800 premium wireless speaker, PW 600 compact premium wireless speaker and PW AMP premium wireless amplifier which allows users to connect up an existing 2 channel sound system to deliver digital input.

Instead of using an iPhone similar to what Sonos does to calibrate a wireless speaker Paradigm has developed Anthem Room Correction (ARC) technology, which is a small wand that delivers a serious amount of information to a tablet screen when used to calibrate their speakers.

The ARC technology uses advanced DSP algorithms to quickly and easily optimize speaker performance in any room. In just a few easy steps, the included microphone measures sound output, compares it to scientifically optimal response curves, and instantly adjusts your speaker’s output for perfect sound in that room. The listener will hear the improvement Anthem Room Correction can make in any room. No other wireless streaming product has ARC.

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Set up at Soundmag offices in North Sydney the calibration exercise was able to easily identify the difference in walls Vs glass doors and accordingly calibrate the speakers.

The sound output was radically good, a benchmark for what wireless streaming speakers can actually deliver when built by a committed sound Company.

Unlike the new Sonos Play 5 speaker or the entire Sonos family of speakers, the new Paradigm Premium Wireless Series streams high-resolution music wirelessly (up to 24-bit/192kHz) over an existing Wi-Fi network to any number of connected speakers using DTS Play-Fi technology.

The unlock key is finding the seriously high res content.

As well, person music libraries and online music streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, Rdio, Pandora, Streaming is possibly via virtually any device – Android, iOS, Kindle Fire or PC.

The big difference with this system is that unlike many wireless platforms, DTS Play-Fi is an open platform, meaning listeners are able to mix and match any DTS Play-Fi-enabled audio products from a selection of top audio brands.

In addition, Paradigm’s Premium Wireless Series products do not limit the listener with the need for proprietary hardware.

The Paradigm PW AMP, with its powerful Anthem Class-D amplification can be used to stream high-resolution audio to existing traditional loudspeakers or in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, regardless of which speakers you are using.

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Paradigm’s Premium Wireless Series products can be easily incorporated into existing control systems with the help of Fusion Research’s Ovation Play-Fi server. Ovation is the first music server to feature DTS Play-Fi technology.

It allows clients to stream multiple discrete sources of music directly to any Play-Fi enabled speaker or amplifier.

Easily controlled by major automation systems, with two-way drivers for Control4, RTI, URC and Crestron, this piece creates the bridge to allow integrators to use Play-Fi systems in custom installations.

Premium Wireless Series and DTS Play-Fi Technology Highlights:

. Stream high-quality lossless audio wirelessly over standard Wi-Fi Networks.

. All models feature exclusive Anthem Room Correction (ARC) technology for tailored music performance in any room. Each product includes a calibrated microphone for easy measurements.

. Compatible with multiple devices: Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and PC compatible.

. In addition to Play-Fi drivers for Windows and Android streaming, users can download Play-Fi apps for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire.

. Open Ecosystem: All products work with any other DTS Play-Fi-enabled products

. Whole-Home Range: Play-Fi works everywhere your Wi-Fi does, even if range extenders are used and works with Ethernet and other IP-based technologies – no need for bridges/routers.

PW 800 – Premium Wireless Speaker

. Two 1″ (25mm) S-PAL dome tweeters

. Two 5″ (127mm) S-PALT woofers

. Anthem? Class-D Amplifier; 460W Dynamic Peak; 230W RMS

. Available Finishes: Black or White (coming soon)

. MSRP: $1299

PW 600 – Premium Compact Wireless Speaker

. Two 1″ (25mm) S-PALT dome tweeters

. 5″ (127mm) S-PALT woofer

. Anthem? Class-D Amplifier; 400W Dynamic Peak; 200W RMS

. Available Finishes: Black or White (coming soon)

. MSRP: $999