Paradigm
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Reports: THQ closing 5 studios, downsizing Juice Games
Various reports are emerging today that THQ has sharpened its battle axe and promptly swung ... at itself. Stuntman: Ignition developer Paradigm Entertainment has been closed, reports Gamasutra, and Juice Games has been dealt a crushing blow, losing a third of its staff, according to Develop. Additionally, amidst sinking share value and ongoing internal woes, THQ is poised to make further cuts this week. In fact, a peek at THQ's studio listing reveals the company is -- quite suddenly -- down to 11 studios (compare this to the soon-to-be-updated Wikipedia page, which lists 16 teams). Missing and presumed dead are: Helixe Games, Locomotive Games, Mass Media, Sandblast Games, and aforementioned Paradigm.Tune in Wednesday when the troubled publisher releases its quarterly financial report -- and bring a splatter guard. There will be blood. Source - Juice Games to lay off a third of workforce [Develop]Source - THQ Closes Paradigm Entertainment [Gamasutra]Source - Studio System [THQ]
Paradigm "Phantom" Cinema Gaming speaker system review
Paradigm has a long history of offering speakers that provide a big slice of audiophile-approved sound at reasonable prices. Its speakers aren't the cheapest and they can't be found at every big-box retailer, but chances are that if you seek out a Paradigm dealer, you'll be rewarded with some great-sounding gear at a fair price. Follow us past the break to see how much of the high-end Paradigm delivers with its latest entry-level offering, the Cinema Gaming speaker system.
Paradigm's Signature, Studio ADP in-wall speakers have you surrounded
If you've been kept awake at nights wondering how to complete your Paradigm in-wall speaker setup with "proper" ADP surrounds, we're really envious of you. But more importantly, you'll be able to rest soon thanks to Paradigm's introduction of Signature and SA (Studio) series of Adapted DiPole (ADP) in-wall speakers at CEDIA. The diffuse sound of ADP speakers have been part of Paradigm's freestanding speakers for a long time, and now you can enjoy equivalent performance from the SIG-ADP (pictured) and SA-ADP in-wall models. These each feature a pair of metal dome tweeters, four metal midranges and a single woofer, but you'll have to hit the link to get the alchemy that goes into the drivers. Pricing should be announced at CEDIA, but the peace of mind in having an all-Paradigm system has got to be worth a pretty penny, right?
Paradigm's Signature SUB 25 maximizes the fun-per-volt
The use of Class-D amplification in subwoofers is nothing new, but Paradigm's new Signature SUB 25 makes use of Power Factor Correction on the supply to grab the most power possible out of mains voltages between 108- and 265-Volts, yielding amplifier performance that can steadily crank out 3,000-Watts (and 7,500-Watt peaks). Put all that power behind a 15-inch driver with 3-inches of travel and you've got a formidable low frequency generator that will definitely expose any room nodes (or loose fillings) you have. And that's just where the Paradigm Perfect Bass Kit (PBK-1) room correction system comes in, using tech from the Anthem ARC-1 to help you tune those problems away. Expect the SUB 25 and PBK-1 in late Q3 for $3999 and $299, respectively.
Anthem chooses CEDIA to reveal 225 integrated amplifier
Anthem may not have the presence of, say, Sony at CEDIA this year, but at least it isn't wasting all of our time by unveiling a $1,500 SACD player. Our apologies to any of you we just offended (yes, all two of you), but seriously, we have a feeling true audiophiles will appreciate the 225 integrated amplifier much more. Designed with music aficionados in mind, this amp provides a phono preamp input that supports Moving Coil (MC) and Moving Magnet (MM) applications and includes solid-state circuitry boards, seven total stereo audio inputs, a universal learning remote and an RS-232 port. The unit boasts 225-watts of pure, clean power per channel at 8-ohms, and while it will set you back $1,499, this $1.5k piece may actually be worth the price of entry.
Paradigm Cinema Gaming speaker systems target double-duty living rooms
Paradigm strikes an uncanny balance with its speakers, covering a wide gamut of price points while maintaining audiophile cred at each one. Recognizing that gaming consoles play an increasing role in HT setups, the company is introducing pre-packaged speaker bundles with its Cinema Gaming systems. Let's see -- a high-end badge, value-conscious pricing and single-SKU convenience? Sounds good to us. First up is the Micro system ($894), consisting of a pair of Paradigm Micro bookshelf speakers and Cinema ADP surrounds, a Cinema 110C center channel and a PDR8 sub. If you need to fill a little more volume with, er, volume, there's the Phantom system ($1474) with a pair of Phantom floorstanding speakers and Cinema ADP surrounds, a Cinema 220C center channel and a PDR10 sub. These 5.1-channel systems are also available in 2.1-channel flavors -- just leave out the surrounds and center channel -- bringing the prices down to $487 and $977 for the Micro and Phantom setups, respectively. Available now from authorized Paradigm dealers, so hop to it! Full press release after the break.
Paradigm bumps up Monitor speaker line to v.6
There's no earth-shattering new developments in the sixth version of Paradigm's Monitor speaker lineup, but let's face it -- after four revision cycles, you've probably got things pretty dialed in. Take the modest (at least on paper) improvements to the Monitor v.6s as a sign of the company's dedication to solid engineering development, okay? Speakers are coming under increasing fashion scrutiny, so many of the changes in the Monitor v.6 series are cosmetic: redesigned magnetic grills that will stay perfectly centered, nickel-plated screws and a new finish called Wengé (pictured above). What makes our ears perk up are the redesigned, phase-coherent crossovers that Paradigm says raise the efficiency of these speakers to horn-loaded levels. As always, the Monitor models are an affordable slice of the high-end, with prices ranging from $150 - $700 per speaker. Full press release after the break. %Gallery-29168%
Paradigm goes to the wall with its Reference Signature W-series
Yup, no doubt about it -- getting speakers "out of the way" is something the public wants. Thankfully, the performance of in- and on-wall systems is really coming up to snuff as well. Our Canadian neighbors at Paradigm have added two on-wall models to their Reference Signature series, the W5 and W5 C (center channel). Paradigm has never taken its Reference Signature models lightly, and these two new speakers promise to do the name proud. The new units benefit from technology developed for the Reference Signature v.2 conventional speakers, including exotic (sounding, at least) metals used in and on the drivers, crossovers that keep the phase intact and careful brand-friendly timbre matching. These are high-end speakers, so to keep the toe-in tweakers happy, the mounting hardware allows for some side-to-side tilting. If you're more concerned about aesthetics, ponder the choice of three finishes. Pricing for both models comes in at $2999 per speaker. One more pic after the break (not just because the logo in the top pic is backwards, either).
Breakfast topic: Problem paradigms
My main is a resto Shaman, but I've been spending my spare time either leveling a Rogue or gearing up my Ret Paladin. It is a completely different experience. I've spent hours in the battlegrounds and have managed to earn the honor for the Merciless Gladiator's Greatsword. Thus far is has been a real challenge for me. I have a harder time with the Paladin than the Rogue. In the battlegrounds my first reaction when I see someone going down is to heal them. I do drop an emergency heal here and a bubble there, I know that my heals are generally crummy. I should just keep swinging my sword and leave the healing to the healers. With the Rogue, there is no option for healing, so I just keep Slicing and Dicing away through the levels. On top of that, I'm used to trying to get away from my opponent, not trying to stay on top of them. The whole paradigm shift has been difficult for me, but I've learned a lot from it. How do you feel when you play something totally different from your main?
Paradigm sets loose version four of its PDR subs
The folks up north at Paradigm aren't ones to rest on their laurels, and now they've released the fourth revision of the PDR-8 and PRD-10 subwoofers for all to enjoy. The company is positioning these as budget models in the lineup, but the speaker-geeks didn't skimp on performance; and we love 'em for that. They've front-mounted new 8- and 10-inch polymer-composite cones into updated cabinets with removable grills, and added auto on/off circuitry for the green crowd. The PDR-8 uses 300-Watts to hit its 32-Hz limit, the PDR-10 has 60 more Watts and reaches 3 Hz lower. Available in black or silver, but no pricing was in the press release, so head on over to your dealer if you're interested.
Paradigm reveals SIG-LCR 5 and SA-LCR 3 in-wall speakers
Paradigm's latest duo isn't exactly cut out for retrofit applications, but if you're looking to add a wing and have a thing for keeping your speakers extra close to your insulation, these just may do the trick. Both the six-driver SIG-LCR 5 and four-driver SA-LCR 3 require the firm's Backbox support frame, and each can be installed in a variety of configurations depending on application. It should be noted that these suckas pack more than just good looks, and for more on the specifics of the $2,999 SIG-LCR 5 and $1,199 SA-LCR 3, click on through for the full release.
Anthem brings room correction add-on to its Statement lineup
Well-heeled audiophiles who have already bought into Anthem's Statement A/V processor lineup have one less reason to stray from the brand now. The component-producing division of Paradigm Electronics (best known for loudspeakers) has introduced its ARC-1 Room Correction System. The listening room is often the single weakest link in your audio system, and used in conjunction with an Anthem Statement processor, the ARC-1 will help tame room effects automagically. Sounds like a feature built into just about every AVR these days, but as you'd guess from Anthem's high-end pedigree, here it's implemented with separates and priced accordingly. A cool $399 (estimated) will get you the ARC-1and a calibrated mic to go along with it.
Stuntman Ignition is on fire, literally
This video of the new Stuntman: Ignition surfaced today, and we must say it's looking very nice. Actually, we take that back. Just for a moment, we're going to revert back into 15-year-olds, which is what we are on the inside, and say that Stuntman: Ignition looks totally awesome. Watching the trailer, you really do get the Hollywood feeling, like you're driving through a bad Pierce Brosnan movie. The last part of the trailer -- the yellow car tearing ass around San Francisco -- looks like it was heavily inspired by The Rock. The ending of the trailer, though, is just plain inspired. In short, we can't wait to get a closer look at this one.Check out the video and tell us what you think.[Via Joystiq]
Stuntman Ignition on PS3 & Xbox 360 in summer 2007
THQ has announced that the follow-up to Atari's 2002 Stuntman will arrive this summer for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Dubbed Stuntman Ignition, the sequel is being developed by the publisher's internal studio Paradigm Entertainment (formerly of Atari). The original Stuntman was developed by another former Atari studio, now with Ubisoft, Reflections. Ignition will continue the tradition of insane(-ly frustrating) stunts, as players desperately fight to maintain a variety of careening-prone vehicles, including exotic sports cars, motorcycles, and (ever-impossible to control) hovercraft. Thankfully, an online mode will let you design the torturous routes, and then invite others to suffer the trial and error.
