The Founder 100F is a three-way, reflex-loaded floorstander with five drive units, sold as a pair: three 177 mm Carbon-X woofers, a dedicated AL-MAG midrange and the AL-MAC tweeter, for larger rooms and amplifiers of up to 350 W.
Founder 100F: what is inside
Unlike the smaller models, here the midrange does nothing but midrange. It is a 152 mm cone in AL-MAG, the aluminium and magnesium alloy chosen for the band where the ear is most sensitive, that of voices; it works between 500 Hz and 2.1 kHz, has a multi-layer high-temperature voice coil and carries the perforated PPA lens, which makes the frequencies reach the listener at the same instant. Above it, the 25 mm tweeter has an AL-MAC dome, is ferrofluid cooled and sits in the OSW waveguide, which concentrates output on the listening area and reduces it towards the sides of the room.
Below 500 Hz three 177 mm woofers come into play. The Carbon-X cone is made in a single piece so that it stays rigid at high levels without gaining weight, the third-generation ART surround permits very long excursions and the Vertical Mounting System obtains more radiating area from the same footprint. Midrange and woofers are fixed with the Shock-Mount system: an elastomer support stops vibration passing from the chassis to the cabinet and back. Paradigm's stated aim is to lower distortion, since that, rather than level as such, is what makes loud listening tiring.
The faceted cabinet, stiffened by Cascade-Fusion braces, rests on double-decoupled Shock-Mount feet that are adjusted from the top and supplied with fittings for carpet and hard floors. Quoted response is 42 Hz - 23 kHz within ±2 dB on axis, extending to 26 Hz (DIN); sensitivity is 93 dB in room (90 dB anechoic) and impedance is 8 ohm compatible. Bi-wiring and bi-amping are provided for. Each speaker stands 106.5 cm tall, weighs 32.7 kg and is built in Canada.
Specifications
- Type: 3-way floorstander with 5 drive units, reflex-loaded
- Tweeter: 25 mm AL-MAC dome, OSW waveguide, PPA lens, ferrofluid
- Midrange: 152 mm AL-MAG cone with PPA lens and Shock-Mount fixing
- Woofers: 3 x 177 mm one-piece Carbon-X cones, Gen3 ART surround, Shock-Mount
- Crossover: second order at 2.1 kHz (tweeter) and 500 Hz (woofers)
- On-axis response: 42 Hz - 23 kHz within ±2 dB
- Response 30° off axis: 42 Hz - 20 kHz within ±2 dB
- Bass extension: 26 Hz (DIN)
- Sensitivity: 93 dB in room, 90 dB anechoic
- Impedance: 8 ohm compatible
- Recommended amplifier: 15 to 350 W
- Maximum power input: 250 W
- Connection: bi-wire and bi-amp ready
- Feet: Shock-Mount, top-adjustable, fittings for carpet and hard floors
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 106.5 x 32.8 x 40.9 cm
- Weight: 32.7 kg per speaker
- Supplied: sold as a pair
- Finishes: gloss black, black walnut, cherry, walnut
