Paradigm Tribute 30th Anniversary Speaker Preview

There are a lot of words that are thrown around in the world of audio: "ultra", "reference", "signature", "ultimate", "image", "icon", and many, many more. These are words that, inherently, have a meaning. You could give them to a large number of people and they'd order them fairly similarly. Usually with something like "ultra" or "ultimate" at the top. But true high-end audio isn't like that. "Reference" is usually the best, but that isn't always true. You often need to do some research to figure out if "reference" at a specific manufacturer is actually their best offering or if it is something else.

When Paradigm announced that they were putting out an Anniversary Edition speaker, we weren't immediately impressed. Anniversary Editions are often simply their normal stuff but wrapped in a different veneer and maybe signed on the back. We are generally not interested in paying more for aesthetic changes without sonic improvements. And upgrading the internal wiring is usually not enough.

The Paradigm Tribute floorstanding speakers and Inspiration bookshelf speakers aren't just cosmetically enhanced versions of Paradigm's normal offerings. These are brand new speakers from the audio giant that not only promise their legendary sound, but a true limited-edition offering. Once the run of 30th Anniversary speakers are sold, no more will be made. We're not sure we've ever heard of collector edition speakers before but these certainly seem to be fitting that description pretty well.

Both Anniversary speakers come wrapped in a Dark Garnet Gloss veneer - a first for Paradigm. The speakers also feature 1" pure-beryllium dome tweeters. Paradigm is currently the only speaker manufacturer to offer a pure beryllium tweeter in this price range. The midrange woofers are have 7" C-PAL (carbon-anodized pure-aluminum) cones. The Tribute adds to these two drivers three 7" carbon fiber cone bass drivers. The cone cosmetics have been updated with corrugated surrounds and matching dust caps on the bass drivers and phase plugs on the midrange.

For the Tribute floorstanding speaker, Paradigm has included integrated chrome-plated carbon steel plinths and outriggers for easy balancing. There will be a coordinated stand offered with the Inspiration bookshelf speaker as well. Each speaker will come with a numbered plaque.

Details on frequency response or other performance metrics are still being finalized, and it does need to be mentioned, however, that there are no offerings in Paradigm's current lineup that matches the driver configuration of the Tribute. The Inspiration resembles the Signature S2 in driver configuration. That speaker is rated down to 52Hz and, based on our listening tests of the Tribute at the 2012 CEDIA Expo this year, the Inspiration likely meets or exceeds that extension.

Conclusion

The Paradigm Tribute floorstanding and Inspiration bookshelf 30th Anniversary speakers are truly collector editions. With numbered plaques and a limited run, once they are sold, there will be no more made. While the Tribute seems to be an entirely new speaker for Paradigm, the Inspiration seems to be an upgraded Signature S2. This is not a knock against the speaker. We believe that the new 30th Anniversary speakers from Paradigm will be very popular and will likely sell out quickly. If you are a lover of Paradigm and have $6000 (Tribute) or $3000 (Inspiration) to burn, you'd better reserve your pair with your local dealer.

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.