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Some home audio subs do use paper cones too, but the main trend ive seen is that all professional subs (like those used at a concert or in a big nightclub) use a paper or paper pulp cone whereas home stereo subs can use metal, plastic, carbon fiber, fiber reinforced polymer etc...
why is this the case? My guess is that most home audio subs need to be just as loud at low frequencies (~20hz) as at higher frequencies in order for movies to sound good and explosions to sound realistic and loud. Also many songs will have deep bass that hits 20hz or lower, so a real sound studio will want a flat base response all the way down. Pro subs (concert subs) are usually only flat down to about 30hz or 35hz before they get major roll off tho. So i think maybe concerts use paper cone professional subs because the lighter paper cones make it easy to get very high spl (usually 135-145 db) down to around 35 hz by just pouring thousands of watts into huge 18” paper cone drivers. The theme seems to be on professional subs to have higher cone surface area with a lighter weight, and less excursion (xmax, linear travel) whereas on home or studio subwoofers the theme seems to be smaller cone surface area with heavier driver/cone that is just as good at hitting loud spl at 20hz as at 35hz.
Also the ridged surround that you see on pro subs seems to be made to sacrifice as little surface area as possible when moving, whereas the bubbly surround of many home subs gives away more surface area in exchange for having more excursion capability.
