Paradigm Premier 720F v2 lacquered black (pack of 2)
Overview
Four drivers, three-way design, two Carbon-X woofers, and a patented phase lens: the Paradigm Premier 720F v2 brings together, in a reasonably sized floorstanding speaker, technologies derived from the Canadian manufacturer’s higher-end series. This second generation retains the compact enclosure of the previous version while redesigning all of the drivers and the internal structure, with a clear goal: more precise midrange reproduction and better-controlled bass.
A three-way bass-reflex design
The configuration is based on four drivers distributed across three bands. A 25 mm AL-MAC ceramic dome tweeter handles the highs from 1.3 kHz upward. A dedicated 152 mm AL-MAG midrange covers the band most exposed to the ear, between 500 Hz and 1.3 kHz. Two 152 mm Carbon-X woofers together handle the low end below 500 Hz, in a bass-reflex design (tuned port). The crossover is 2nd-order electro-acoustic (12 dB/octave) at each of the two crossover points, a classic compromise between crossover slope and phase quality at the junction.
AL-MAC tweeter, OSW waveguide, and PPA lens
The 25 mm ceramic dome combines aluminum, magnesium, and ceramic to unite lightness, rigidity, and internal damping. Two elements surround it and determine its directivity. The OSW waveguide (Oblate Spheroid Waveguide) shapes dispersion toward the listening area while reducing reflections from the ceiling and side walls. The PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens placed in front of the dome acts as an acoustic filter: it lets in-phase frequencies pass and blocks out-of-phase components, which contributes to the coherence of the wavefront in the treble. The tweeter is damped and cooled by ferrofluid, a common practice at Paradigm to extend sustainable dynamic range in the high frequencies.
The AL-MAG midrange in a dedicated band
In a three-way design, the midrange band is where vocal intelligibility and the realism of instrumental timbres are determined. Paradigm devotes to this zone a 152 mm driver whose cone is made of AL-MAG, an aluminum-magnesium alloy chosen for its stiffness-to-mass ratio. The center of the cone features a PPA lens, identical in principle to that of the tweeter, which helps align frequencies at the driver’s output. The voice coil measures 50 mm in diameter, is multilayer and resistant to high temperatures to handle level peaks without compression, mounted on a ventilated Apical former.
Two Carbon-X woofers and ART Gen3 technology
The bass is entrusted to two 152 mm drivers with a one-piece Carbon-X cone, formed from a single piece to gain rigidity and limit moving mass. The surround uses the third generation of Active Ridge Technology (ART Gen3), a reinforced-profile roll surround that Paradigm pairs with a vertical mounting system. The goal of the assembly is substantial excursion with little harmonic distortion at high levels. The voice coil, 25 mm this time, shares the principle of the ventilated Apical former. Extension at -3 dB reaches down to 27 Hz (DIN measurement), a value consistent with a floorstanding speaker of this volume and loading.
MDF cabinet and Outrigger feet
The cabinet is made of MDF with internal bracing, to reduce coloration from the enclosure itself. Three finishes are available: Piano Black, Black Walnut, and Walnut. Under the speaker, Paradigm installs Outrigger Shock-Mount feet, a lateral support-spreading system that widens the base and mechanically decouples the tower from the floor via damping inserts. Two sets of tips are supplied: metal spikes for carpet or rugs, rubber feet for parquet or tile. The resulting wider footprint improves the stability of the tower (26 kg) and its bass behavior.
Measurements and amplification power
The on-axis frequency response is specified at ±3 dB from 55 Hz to 23 kHz, with controlled roll-off at 30° off-axis (upper limit extended to 20 kHz), a sign of progressive rather than abrupt directivity. Sensitivity is rated at 89 dB in anechoic measurement and 92 dB in-room. The recommended amplifier power range extends from 15 to 220 W, for a maximum input power of 180 W. The impedance is specified as compatible with 8 ohms, which simplifies the choice of an integrated amplifier or a hi-fi preamplifier/power amplifier combination.
Uses in stereo hi-fi and home theater
In a stereo system, a pair forms the front left and right of a two-channel setup: turntable, network player, or digital source, integrated amplifier or preamplifier + power amplifier combination. The 89 dB anechoic sensitivity makes life easier for modest-power amplifiers, while still accepting more powerful systems up to 220 W.
In home theater, the 720F v2 serves as the front left and right speakers. For a coherent 5.1 or 7.1 setup, Paradigm offers the 620C v2 as the center channel and the 220B v2 or 120B v2 as surrounds. The whole range shares the same AL-MAC tweeter, the same PPA lens, and the same OSW waveguide, ensuring timbral continuity between channels. The extension down to 27 Hz allows full-range operation with a subwoofer as a complement (reinforcement below 30-40 Hz) or without a subwoofer in a moderate-sized room if the 720F v2 serves as the main support for the bass range.
Technical Specifications
General Design
- 3-way floorstanding speaker with 4 drivers, bass-reflex enclosure
- Integrated technologies: AL-MAC, AL-MAG, Carbon-X, OSW, PPA
- 2nd-order electro-acoustic crossover
- Tweeter / midrange: 1.3 kHz
- Midrange / bass: 500 Hz
Drivers
- Tweeter
- 25 mm AL-MAC ceramic dome
- Oblate spheroid waveguide (OSW)
- Perforated phase lens (PPA)
- Damped and cooled by ferrofluid
- Midrange driver
- 152 mm AL-MAG cone
- Perforated phase lens (PPA)
- 50 mm high-temperature multilayer voice coil on a ventilated Apical former
- Bass drivers
- Two 152 mm high-excursion one-piece CARBON-X cones
- Active Ridge Technology Gen3 (ART) with vertical mounting system
- 25 mm high-temperature multilayer voice coil on a ventilated Apical former
Acoustic Performance
- On-axis frequency response: ±3 dB from 55 Hz to 23 kHz
- 30° off-axis frequency response: ±3 dB from 55 Hz to 20 kHz
- Low-frequency extension: 27 Hz (DIN)
- Sensitivity
- In-room: 92 dB
- Anechoic: 89 dB
Electrical Specifications
- Recommended amplifier power: 15 to 220 W
- Maximum input power: 180 W
- Impedance: 8-ohm compatible
Dimensions and Weight
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 100.6 × 31.8 × 43.2 cm
- Weight per unit: 26 kg
- Available finishes: Gloss Black, Black Walnut, Walnut
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 720F v2's place in the Premier v2 range?
The 720F v2 occupies the position of mid-level floorstanding speaker in the Premier v2 series, between the 820F v2 (177 mm woofers, larger internal volume) above and the 220B v2 and 120B v2 bookshelf monitors below. It takes up technologies developed by Paradigm for its higher-end series, reworked for this range: AL-MAC ceramic dome, AL-MAG cone, one-piece Carbon-X woofers, PPA lenses, and OSW waveguide.
What amplifier power should be chosen for these speakers?
Paradigm recommends a range of 15 to 220 W per channel. The 89 dB sensitivity in an anechoic chamber (92 dB in-room) allows for a 50 to 100 W integrated amplifier for comfortable listening in a medium-sized room. To exploit dynamic peaks without approaching saturation, 80 to 150 W remains a good compromise. The 8-ohm-compatible impedance suits the vast majority of hi-fi power stages on the market.
Should a subwoofer be planned with the 720F v2?
The specified extension to 27 Hz (-3 dB DIN) covers almost the entire musical spectrum without external support. For stereo music listening in a 20 to 40 m² room, the speaker is self-sufficient. In home theater, adding a subwoofer remains relevant for the LFE channel (effects below 30 Hz) and to relieve the Carbon-X woofers at high sound pressure levels, whether it is a Paradigm subwoofer or another brand matched to the room.
Are the Outrigger feet mandatory?
The Outrigger Shock-Mount system is supplied as standard with the 720F v2. It widens the base of the tower and mechanically decouples it from the floor via damping inserts. Two sets of tips are supplied: spikes for carpet or floating floors, rubber feet for solid wood floors and tile. Installing the feet is necessary to achieve the stability and bass behavior specified by Paradigm.
Can the 720F v2 be paired with other Premier v2 speakers?
Yes, that is the recommended use for a coherent home theater system. The range includes the 820F v2 (larger floorstanding speaker with 177 mm woofers), the 620C v2 (center channel with passive radiators), the 520LCR v2 (sealed enclosure for wall or furniture placement), and the 220B v2 and 120B v2 bookshelf monitors. Sharing the same AL-MAC tweeter, the same PPA lens, and the same OSW guide across all models guarantees tonal continuity between channels.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
