The CI Elite E65-R v2 is a two-way coaxial ceiling speaker from Paradigm's upper range: a 165 mm woofer with an AL-MAG cone and a 25 mm AL-MAC tweeter, for careful listening from a cut-out of just 197 mm.
CI Elite E65-R v2: how it is built
The CI Elite range, built in Canada, starts from the technologies of the CI Pro and moves up in materials. On the E65-R the woofer cone is no longer CARBON-X but AL-MAG, the baffle is high-rigidity CARBON-X and the crossover becomes third order, set at 2.0 kHz. It is the smallest of the round Elite models: a 197 mm cut-out, 92 mm of minimum depth, 2.6 kg. Its on-axis response runs from 75 Hz to 22 kHz, with 92 dB in-room sensitivity and amplifiers of 15 to 150 W.
AL-MAG is an aluminium and magnesium alloy with a high ratio of stiffness to mass and good internal damping, intended for the midrange, where the ear is at its keenest. The woofer pairs it with an oversized 38 mm high-temperature voice coil, which raises maximum level and reduces compression, and with the patented ART surround moulded onto the cone. The AL-MAC tweeter adds ceramic to the alloy, for a diaphragm that is strong, light and anti-resonant, and works with the perforated PPA lens and the RED profile.
The Shock-Mount system decouples the die-cast aluminium basket from the baffle and stops vibration before it gets to the frame; the basket has a built-in heat sink. Behind, the flat polycarbonate cover protects the parts and does not warp. The screw holes are recessed to keep the driver bit still, the nickel-plated spring terminals accept heavy cable or banana plugs, and the paintable frameless micro-perforated grille stays on with neodymium magnets.
Specifications
- Design: two-way coaxial ceiling speaker, two drive units, high-rigidity CARBON-X baffle
- Crossover: third-order electro-acoustic, 2.0 kHz
- On-axis response: 75 Hz to 22 kHz (±3 dB)
- Response 30° off axis: 75 Hz to 18 kHz (±3 dB)
- Tweeter: 25 mm AL-MAC with PPA lens and RED profile
- Woofer: 165 mm AL-MAG cone, ART surround, 38 mm voice coil, die-cast aluminium basket
- Sensitivity: 92 dB in room, 88 dB anechoic
- Bass extension: 39 Hz
- Recommended amplifier: 15 to 150 W
- Power handling: 100 W maximum
- Impedance: 8 ohm compatible
- Cut-out: 197 mm diameter
- Mounting depth: 92 mm minimum
- Size with grille: 226 mm diameter, 107 mm deep
- Weight: 2.6 kg
