PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS & AWARDS

The Defiance V12 is a fine affordable subwoofer for modest systems, but the X12 is a beastmaster of a 12” subwoofer that defies its moderate cabinet size to produce powerful bass that can punch you in the lungs.

If your speaker budget tops out in the $2,000 range and you seek maximum bang for the buck, take note: Paradigm's Monitor SE system delivers the home theater sound basics in a brilliant manner.

The Defiance V12 really did perform admirably, especially considering its price. I think just about any bass head who experienced what I did in my listening room would walk away satisfied and impressed -- and the unsatisfied would be glad to know that I never got close to the maximum setting of the V12’s volume control.

When Diego’s review of the Paradigm Defiance V12 was published, the subwoofer earned, based on his high recommendation, our Reviewers’ Choice award. In December 2019, the Defiance V12 was recognized as one of our 2019 Products of the Year: Exceptional Value. This month, we add it to our list of Recommended Reference Components -- the lowest-priced subwoofer yet to be included.

It brings back the “what matters most” of the hobby: People enjoying music and movies, not sweating whether their gear sounds good… because it does. At Paradigm they seem to remember that’s the goal, and with the Monitor SE series, they achieve it. It’s a Top Choice for a an “affordable premium” speaker system.

A 5.5-inch surround with carbon-infused polypropylene cone with a larger PPA lens handles the midrange frequency driver, and two 5.5-inch ART surround polypropylene cones provide the bottom end.