Paradigm

 The history of the Great Sound in Canada and beyond
 Did you know that Paradigm loudspeakers are still designed, manufactured and developed right here at our headquarters near Toronto, Canada? This has been the case since 1982.

 That's when founders Jerry VanderMarel and Scott Bagby decided to change the prevailing industry paradigm. They wanted to build high quality speakers on site. They wanted to fit their speaker components based on science, not speculation. They wanted to make them available at prices that everyone could appreciate.
 
To do this, Jerry and Scott drew on the university's intelligent sound researchers and the extensive findings of sound research conducted by the National Research Council of Canada.

 Their goal was to achieve a level of performance that removed the speaker itself from the equation. Pure, realistic sound, unfettered by color, unfettered by the ability to turn sound into sound. And to do it at a price that allows anyone to experience this magic.

 Jerry (Sales, Marketing, Promotion) and Scott (Design, Manufacturing) assembled a team of dedicated audiophiles and engineers (and engineers who were audiophiles) and from these humble beginnings Paradigm was born.

 Paradigm models 7 and 9 were introduced at the Toronto Audio Show that year. Ten dealers signed on to carry the line. (Many of these loyal outsourcers remain proud Paradigm dealers today!)

 Distortion, a close cousin to color, is another evil loudspeaker villain.

 Loudspeakers exhibit two main types of distortion: harmonic and mechanical.

 The "colors" of the harmonic distortion sound at additional tonal levels above and below the pure original note. For example, a speaker driver that produces a 40 Hz note can also output frequencies of 80 Hz, 120 Hz, 160 Hz (etc.), even though these tones are not part of the original sound.
 
It is very difficult to completely remove tonal distortions such as this example. Drivers emit sound throughout their area, with some sounds going around the intended original sound. To minimize this kind of distortion, Paradigm engineers use a special driver material, the stiffer the better, to prevent harmonic distortion on the surface of the driver cone. Other innovations, such as more durable surround material, carefully designed engine designs and vibration-damping chassis designs, also prevent audible harmonic distortion.

 Non-harmonic or mechanical distortion occurs when there is a noticeable hum or rattle in the actual speaker assembly, or when the signal is not picked up in a way that the driver is able to clearly deliver, and the sound becomes a shrill mess. .
 
Paradigm overcomes mechanical distortions of the first kind, bulletproof body design and construction. Using only the strongest materials, with solid internal cross bracing, damping material and hand-finished joints, Paradigm speaker enclosures are completely inert.

 Stabilizing feet, designed for both hard and carpeted floors, keep the cabinet upright and stable.

 You need to avoid the second type of inharmonic distortion. Make sure your speaker impedance matches the output of your amplification equipment and never exceed the amplifier's output power. In other words: if you hear the distortion as a shrill noise or clipping signal, reject it!