Paradigm Millenia CT 2 Speaker System Preview

When we first reported on the Paradigm MilleniaOne speakers, we were concerned about the price of the subwoofer. At $1400, it was costlier than the other five speakers in the system combined. Paradigm must have run into the same concerns as they subsequently released the MilleniaOne CT system. This system combined the MilleniaOne speakers with a similar looking, but much less powerful and less expensive subwoofer. This lowered the price to $1200 for the entire 2.1 system (still on sale on the Paradigm website). In addition, Paradigm also introduced the entry level Millenia CT system, which swapped out the ported satellite speakers for a sealed model, and tossed yet another subwoofer into the mix.

Paradigm has now updated the Millenia CT system with the announcement of the CT 2. Utilizing the sealed satellites and slick ported 8" subwoofer of its older sibling, the CT 2 adds Bluetooth connectivity and still manages to shave $300 from the price of the MilleniaOne CT system, allowing you to take one home for just $900 for a 2.1 system.

Paradigm Millenia CT 2 Satellite Exploded - No Port

There are a lot of similarities between the MilleniaOne CT and the Millenia CT 2 systems. The subwoofers come with a stand so that they can be mounted vertically, or it can be removed so that you can lay the sub down or slide it under a couch. The system has a small control box with recessed keys on top so that you can stack other components on top of it without risking pressing the buttons. The CT 2 also has what Paradigm is calling "Ultra-Class-D" amplification; Paradigm specifies 40 watts per channel for the satellites and 80 watts into the sub.

Paradigm MilleniaOne CT Satellite Exploded - Port

While Paradigm specifies the entire system from 28 Hz to 20kHz +/- 2dB, the satellite speakers are rating down to 140Hz, and the crossover in the sub is fixed at 150Hz. The satellite speakers for the CT 2 system are sealed, but the speakers in the MilleniaOne line are ported (the specs of the MilleniaOne CT say they are sealed but the gallery clearly shows a port). As such, the MilleniaOne satellites have lower extension (rated down to 120Hz), though the sub's crossover is still fixed at 150Hz. The MilleniaOne CT system also has more power (50 watts per satellite and 100 watts for the sub). The drivers in the line are all the same with 1" S-PAL (satin-anodized pure-aluminum cone) tweeters and 4" S-PAL woofers.

The subwoofer is the biggest change, with the CT 2 using an 8" reinforced polymer-composite cone versus the 14" by 3" oval cone in the MilleniaOne CT. The CT 2 sub also weighs two pounds less at 12.5 pounds and is 15.75" by 5" by 14" (slightly taller and deeper but no wider than the MilleniaOne CT sub).

The CT series has never needed a receiver as with the control box, it makes for a complete system. The CT 2 system improves the remote and upgrades the control box with DSP for Dolby Digital decoding and Bluetooth aptX decoding. A Music Mode for use with two-channel content has also be added along with a Movie Mode featuring Paradigm's Virtual Surround (needs to be fed a Dolby Digital signal).

All this can be yours...for $200

Now, if you have the original Millenia CT system and want to upgrade to the CT 2 without re-buying the entire system, you can. Paradigm will send you the new remote and new control box for $200. We think that is pretty cool considering how other companies would leave you out in the cold rather than provide an upgrade path.

Conclusion

Even though for many the economy is turning around, people are still looking for deals. Paradigm, as a brand, has a great reputation for AV excellence. But reputation isn't always enough when people don't have a ton of money to spend. The new Millenia CT 2 system takes just about all the performance of the MilleniaOne CT system and shaves $300 off the price by cutting a few corners. Will you miss those corners? With the MilleniaOne CT system costing $1200 and the CT 2 costing $900, perhaps not.

For more information, please visit www.paradigm.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.