Paradigm DCS-208FR3

A passive in-wall subwoofer from the Defiance series, with two 210 mm woofers in an integrated, fire-rated steel enclosure: real bass with no floor space used, in homes and commercial premises alike.

DCS-208FR3: enclosure and drivers

The DCS-208FR3 exists to bring low frequencies to a room where a floor-standing subwoofer has nowhere to go. It mounts in the wall through a 457 x 245 mm opening and brings its own box with it: a 7.5 litre steel housing with a fire rating, which makes it suitable for commercial systems too. Having the working volume already fixed means consistent results in any wall and less sound passed to other rooms. It is intended to go into existing rooms without redoing the plasterboard.

The two long-throw woofers have CFP cones of polypropylene reinforced with carbon fibre, moulded-on TPR surrounds and 38 mm voice coils wound in eight layers of copper wire on polyamide formers, with ferrite magnets. Together they offer more radiating area than a single 25 cm driver. Quoted response runs from 77 to 190 Hz within ±3 dB, with extension down to 35 Hz by the DIN method.

Being passive it needs an external amplifier of 50 to 600 W; Paradigm names the MDX-8, MDX-16 and X-300. With the Anthem MDX units used in multiroom systems it connects to the bridged subwoofer output and benefits from bass management, DSP profiles and ARC Genesis room correction. Chassis and baffle are stamped steel with die-cast aluminium clamps; the magnetic grille can be painted and the nickel-plated sprung terminals take heavy-gauge cable.

Specifications

• Type: passive in-wall subwoofer, twin woofers
• Enclosure: steel, integrated, fire rated
• Woofers: 2 CFP cones of 210 mm, moulded-on TPR surround
• Voice coils: 38 mm, 8 layers of copper, polyamide former
• Magnets: ceramic ferrite
• Chassis: steel GRIP mounting system
• Response: 77 to 190 Hz within ±3 dB
• Bass extension: 35 Hz (DIN)
• Amplification: external, 50 to 600 W
• Peak input power: 300 W
• Amplifiers named by Paradigm: MDX-8, MDX-16, X-300
• Box volume: 7.5 litres
• Cut-out: 457 x 245 mm
• Depth needed in the wall: 98 mm
• External size: 485 x 272 x 115 mm
• Weight: 12.5 kg
• Grille: magnetic, paintable