Some people like to hide speakers; some like to show them off. There's no shame in either. However, instead of basing your audio decision on aesthetics, Paradigm wants to meet you halfway and still offer great sound.

The manufacturer just announced the Reference Hybrid Millenia 10 and 20, a new hybrid design that combines the performance of a free-standing loudspeaker with the subtlety of an in-wall by allowing the speaker to project partly out of the wall, but do so in a way that should still meet the approval of your favorite live-in interior designer. 

That means that instead of hiding the speakers away entirely or having them out in the middle of the room for all to enjoy, the Millenia speakers give listeners just a glimpse of the units -- less than an inch-and-a-half of it. That should free up plenty of floor space, while allowing A/V users to keep their eyes on that prize of a flat panel HDTV.

Each speaker features a pre-attached glass-reinforced injection-molded polymer (GRIP) bracket, which is designed to exploit maximum wall area for a complete absence of vibration, even when you’re rocking the house.

Designed for two-channel or multi-channel configurations, the Hybrid Millenia 20s and 10s can be mounted horizontally or vertically. The Hybrid Millenia 10 features 3-driver, 2-way acoustic suspension and can handle up to 90 watts. The Hybrid Millenia 20 has 5-driver, 2½-way acoustic suspension and can take up to 110 watts.  A few of the performance-oriented features include:

High-Frequency Drive Units

• S-PAL Satin Anodized Pure-Aluminum Domes
• Rigid High-pressure Die-cast Aluminum Chassis
• Critical Coupling of Phase-Alignment Bridge and Elevated Dome
• Computer-Optimized Magnets and Advanced Motor Structures

Midrange/Bass Drive Units

• MLP Mica-Loaded Polymer Midrange and Bass/Midrange Cones
• HTD Heat Transfer and Dissipation System – Proprietary Design
• Solid Aluminum Phase Plugs
• Overdesigned Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber (NBR) Surrounds and Nomex Spiders
• Precision-Engineered Mineral –Filled Polypropylene Bass Cones
• Advanced Magnet Assemblies with Symmetrical Focused Field Geometry

The MSRP on the Reference Hybrid Millenia 10 is $379, with the Hybrid Millenia 20 coming in at $529.

For More Information:

• Paradigm Home Page
• Paradigm speakers and stands on Amazon.com