Features

15" Carbon-Loaded Polypropylene Woofer with ART: The Paradigm Defiance X15 powered sub houses a 15" woofer with a carbon-loaded polypropylene cone for articulate, deep bass. The farther the driver can freely move, the deeper the bass it can generate. Patented ART (Active Ridge Technology) driver design "overmolds" durable driver surrounds to allow the farthest possible throw without distortion or destruction. Greater excursion results in a measured 3dB gain in output, with a 50% reduction in audible distortion compared to drivers held back by standard surrounds. Crafted from injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer, ART surrounds are more durable and more reliable than conventional surrounds, ensuring a lifetime of superior sound.

900 Watt Class D Amplifier With Soft-Clipping Circuitry: The 15" carbon-loaded polypropylene cone woofer with ART surround is powered by a built-in Class D amplifier rated at 900 watts RMS and 1800 watts Peak for dynamic, impactful, clean bass performance. The built-in Class D amplifier utilizes soft-clipping circuitry for ultra-low amplifier distortion and extremely clean maximum output levels.

Bass Reflex Cabinet: The Defiance X15 powered subwoofer utilizes a bass reflex cabinet with a down-firing port. This carefully tuned down-firing port turns the floor into a tool for enhancing bass response, allowing more flexible placement options with no risk of turbulence or distortion. The cabinet offers heavy-duty, reinforced construction with internal bracing to prevent unwanted vibration and coloration for deep, detailed and clean bass.

Rear-Panel Volume Knob: The volume level knob on the rear-panel of the powered subwoofer can be dialed in to match the output level of your loudspeakers. All other controls (such as the Low Pass Filter, Phase/Polarity, Listening Modes, and more) are handled through the Subwoofer Control app for Apple iOS and Android (see below). The volume level control can also be done from the app (there is a switch on the back of the subwoofer to select between using the volume level dial or the mobile app).

Subwoofer Control App: Simplify setup & tuning with the free Paradigm Subwoofer Control App (for Apple iOS 9.2+ and Android OS 5.0+) which wirelessly communicates with the Defiance X15 powered subwoofer via Bluetooth. The app controls volume, low-pass filter, phase/polarity, deep bass and much more from your compatible smartphone or tablet device. It also features 3 preset listening modes, a tone sweep, and a built-in shortcut to the Anthem Room Correction (ARC) app.

• Volume Level: From the app, you can adjust loudness of powered subwoofer. For most applications, a setting between -14dB and 0dB is adequate.
• Tone Sweep: A unique tone sweep feature assists users in locating areas in listening rooms where troublesome rattles or resonances may occur. A single press of a button allows you to initiate a tone sweep from 20-120Hz. If a rattle or resonance occurs in the room any frequency can be held, allowing you to investigate and identify the source of the unwanted noise.
• Low Pass Filter: The Low Pass Filter setting allows you to select the frequency (30-120Hz) and order (6dB, 12dB, 18dB, or 24db) of the low pass crossover. The frequency selection is the point at which the filter starts,while the order of the filter refers to how steep the roll off it is. These settings depend on how low your main speakers play. It is often best to set the LPF to "bypass" if your AV receiver/preamp offers bass management settings so there is no overlap or missing information between the main speakers and the subwoofer.
• Phase/Polarity: The Phase setting allows you to adjust the timing relationship between your main speakers and the powered sub. You can adjust the phase of the subwoofer from 0 to180 degrees in increments of 1 degree, plus invert the polarity of the phase. Phase control is entirely dependent on numerous factors including the size and configuration of your listening environment, the placement of the unit, and seating arrangement. A good rule of thumb is to set phase at 0 if your sub is at the front of the room and 180 if it is in the rear.
• Deep Bass Level: The Deep Bass Level setting allows you to adjust subwoofer output from -10dB to +10dB in the 20-30Hz range (a frequency range where peaks and dips of different amplitudes often develop in listening rooms). The Deep Bass Level can be used to modify your subwoofer's response to compensate for the room anomalies or to modify the subwoofers sound to your personal taste. The ideal setting is dependent on room size and construction, system configuration, and personal preference. As a rule of thumb, if your low-bass sounds weak, increase this control. If your low-bass sounds bloated, decrease this control.
• Listening Modes: The Listening Modes lets you apply preset listening modes to the subwoofer’s output. The Movie listening mode is an aggressive setting that maximizes device output for an especially explosive experience. Th Music mode (default) is balanced and best used for an accurate musical presentation. The Night listening mode reduces bass output and is best used for discrete playback

Anthem Room Correction (ARC): Anthem Room Correction (ARC) technology is a proprietary digital signal processing system that allows you to quickly and accurately optimize the performance of the Defiance X15 powered sub to better suit the unique parameters of your room. By listening to your room’s acoustic signature, ARC can tune the subwoofer to correct for the performance-robbing effects (reflections, resonances, standing waves, etc.) of the various surfaces and other obstacles in your room. Using the included calibration microphone and your computer or your compatible mobile device, ARC measures your space, compares it to lab standard using proprietary advanced DSP algorithms, and instantly removes performance-robbing anomalies. The result is realistic, accurate, deep bass.

• ARC Computer Software: You'll need to download the ARC Genesis software (for Windows 7/8/8.1/10 and Mac (10.12+), plus connect the included calibration microphone and the X15 powered subwoofer to your compatible Windows PC or Mac computer via USB to take, configure, and store room correction measurements.
• ARC Mobile App: You'll need to download the ARC Mobile App (for Apple iOS 9.2+ and Android OS 5.0+) onto your compatible smartphone or tablet device and wirelessly connect your mobile device to the X15 powered subwoofer via Bluetooth. With a compatible Apple iOS device, you can use the microphone built into the Apple device or the the included calibration microphone for measurements. With a compatible Android OS device, you'll need to use the included calibration microphone for measurement (does not support built-in microphone).

Line-Level and Speaker-Level Inputs: The Paradigm Defiance X15 powered sub is outfitted with both line-level and speaker-level inputs; including a LFE input, Stereo RCA input, and Banana-type connector input.

• LFE: The Level LFE Input can be used to connect the powered subwoofer to to the LFE Out/Sub-Out on your AV receiver or AV preamp/processor. The powered sub's Low Pass Filter should be set to "Bypass", since the LFE signals are controlled from your AV receiver/preamplifier.
• Stereo RCA: The stereo RCA input can be used to connect the powered sub to the Main-Out or Pre-Out on your receiver, amplifier, or preamplifier. The setting of the powered sub's Low Pass Filter control is applied to the signal received through the stereo RCA inputs.
• Banana Plugs: The speaker-level inputs consist of banana-type plugs that allow standard speaker cable be used for the powered subwoofer connection from your AV receivers or integrated amplifiers front main speaker outputs. To use these connections the speaker cable will need to be terminated using banana connectors (single or dual). The setting of the Low Pass Filter control is applied to the signal received through speaker-level banana-type inputs.

Optional Wireless Adapter: The optional Defiance WT Wireless Module (sold separately) lets you place the X15 powered subwoofer practically anywhere in your room without the need of inconvenient cabling and without sacrificing speed or performance. The Defiance WT Wireless Module features fast and clear 2.4GHz dynamic frequency selection with instant error correction and a 50' wireless range. The Defiance WT Wireless Module consists of a wireless transmitter and receiver.

• The WT's wireless receiver plugs into the USB-A port on the back of the Defiance X15 powered subwoofer.
• The WT's wireless transmitter features stereo RCA inputs that connect to the LFE our subwoofer output on your AV receiver, integrated amplifier, or preamplifier/processor.

Detachable AC Power Cord: The Paradigm Defiance X15 comes with a 6' IEC 2-prong AC power cord that plugs into the back of the powered sub and into an AC wall outlet or surge protector/line conditioner (sold separately - see Accessories Tab).

• Auto Power On/Off: The Paradigm Defiance X15 powered subwoofer will automatically turn on when it senses and detects and audio signal at its LFE, RCA, or speaker-level inputs. The subwoofer will automatically turn off when no audio signal has been detected for a period of time.
• 12V Trigger Input: The Paradigm Defiance X15 is equipped with a1 2V Trigger Input (3.5mm), allowing an external device (such as your AV receiver or preamp/processor) to turn the powered subwoofer on and off.

Rubber or Spike Feet: The Paradigm Defiance X15 comes with rubber feet (pre-installed) and adjustable spike feet to isolate the powered subwoofer from the floor. The rubber feet are ideal for hardwood, tile, laminate and vinyl flooring. The spike feet should be used on carpeted flooring. The spike feet screw into the bottom of the rubber feet. The spike feet will scratch and damage hard surface flooring.

• Dimensions With Rubber Feet: 23.1875" (w) x 24.625" (h) x 26.0" (d)
• Dimensions With Spike Feet: 23.1875" (w) x 25.0625" (h) x 26.0" (d)

Placement Options: For best sonic integration, locating the powered sub between your front speakers or beside one of them will usually provide the best bass performance. If this location is not possible, the subwoofer may be placed anywhere in the room without affecting the stereo image of your front speakers or the soundstage of your multichannel speaker system.

• Corner placement of the powered subwoofer provides the most bass, but sometimes at the expense of accuracy.
• A powered subwoofer placed near a wall usually provides a good balance of quantity and accuracy
• When using two powered subs, placing one in the front of the room and the other in the rear of the room usually provides the best bass performance and sonic integration.

Crafted In Canada: All Defiance X Series powered subwoofers are designed, engineered and manufactured in Paradigm's state-of-the-art Canadian facility. Paradigm is partnered with Canada's world-renowned NRC in ongoing research to reveal the true nature of sound and human hearing. Findings influence design and performance specs, resulting in a uniquely realistic listening experience, backed by sound science.