A two-channel Class D power amplifier for custom installation: it runs in stereo, dual mono or bridged into one channel at up to 500 W, with DSP presets for Paradigm subwoofers and for its architectural and outdoor speakers.
X-500: configurations, inputs and presets
The X-500 is a compact amplifier designed with the installer in mind: one rack unit high and half a rack wide, it delivers 130 W per channel into 8 ohms and 250 W per channel into 4 ohms. Bridged, it becomes a 500 W mono amplifier into 8 ohms. Paradigm offers it for its own wall and ceiling speakers from the Home, Pro and Elite series, for the custom subwoofers of the Seismic and Defiance families and for the outdoor lines Garden Oasis, Rock and Stylus. It can drive, for example, two subwoofers in a cinema room or two speakers in the garden.
On the rear panel, a row of DIP switches calls up 32 DSP presets. Paradigm tuned them for its architectural subwoofers and for the outdoor range, with variants for one or two subwoofers and with low-pass filter options. The inputs are stereo RCA, a dedicated subwoofer RCA and a digital input switchable between coaxial and optical. Through the subwoofer input the signal receives no further processing and bass management stays with the AV receiver or processor; the stereo RCA is the one to use when the internal low-pass filter is needed.
Speaker cables go into a lever-operated Phoenix connector that needs no tools and takes conductors up to 12 AWG. Cooling relies on a fan that cuts in by itself when the load demands it. Supplied with the unit are rack ears, feet for shelf use and a bracket that joins two X-500s side by side: one rack unit then holds four channels, enough for four subwoofers. A 12 V trigger input and output allow switched power-on. The manufacturer's sheet refers to the X-500 V2 version.
Specifications
- Type: two-channel Class D power amplifier (Ultra-Class-D)
- Continuous power, stereo: 130 W per channel into 8 ohms, 250 W per channel into 4 ohms
- Continuous power, bridged: 500 W into 8 ohms, one channel
- Audio inputs: stereo RCA, subwoofer RCA, optical digital, coaxial digital
- Trigger: 12 V input and 12 V pass-through output
- Service port: USB-C for firmware updating
- DSP presets: 32, chosen with DIP switches 2 to 6
- Coaxial/optical selection: DIP switch 1
- Other rear controls: mains switch, volume adjustment
- Frequency response: 20 Hz-20 kHz, +1/-3 dB
- Total harmonic distortion: below 0.05 %
- Cooling: by fan
- Standby consumption: below 0.5 W
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 50 x 216 x 310 mm
- Weight: 2.72 kg
- Supplied: mains lead, rack ears, joining bracket, fixings, quick start leaflet
