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Paradigm Persona series

I'm beginning to poke around and gather opinions and information about a "super speaker" to replace my aging Thiel 2.4s.  I like the idea of bass dsp room correction and I am a bit of a point source type imaging nut (thus the Thiels).  So among other choices I've been looking at the Paradigm Persona series specifically the powered 9H with room correction for the bass.  However I'm skeptical of the "lenses" i.e. pierced metal covers on the midrange and tweeter specifically because of Paradigm's claim that such screens "screen out" "out of phase" musical information.  The technology in the design seems superlative but I just can't get past the claim re out of phase information and the midrange and tweeter covers.  What could possibly be the science behind this claim?  It just seems like its putting a halloween moustache on the mona lisa given the fact that the company is generally a technology driven company.
pwhinson
ricwa
23 posts
 
I alternate between the Persona Bs and Harbeth 30.1s in my dedicated 11x18 room. To my ears, the Personas are significantly more sensitive to upstream equipment but very rewarding with the right match.  For example, the Personas can be a bit fatiguing with the LTA MZ3 but fantastic with the Don Sachs pre and LS-28.  The Harbeths are very good (but different) with all 3 preamps but slightly better with the MZ3.  As far as power amps, the Personas love the Pass XA-25 but are indifferent to the VT-80SE whereas the Harbeths work well with both amps, but with slightly better imaging and soundstage from the VT-80SE.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Troy, you constantly try to poke holes in so many who feel they are tipped up adn fatiguing regardless of upstream equipment.  

You sell them so of course you are going to make excuses.  I went to your place to hear them with Jeff (RIP buddy) and no matter what you played with them, they were terrible, pure and simple.  Then came the excuses of how you didn't have them set up properly, because you had a photo shoot etc..  Then it was your DAC wasn't fully burned in and then it was the dog ate the homework.  

Jeff and I both left quickly when you put on the Legacy speakers and you constantly moved them to try and position them properly while we were listening.  We both said to each other that the 9H's and the Legacy's sounded the same as they have at other places we heard them regardless of how you had them set up.  


audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,796 posts
 
Ct you have a problem understanding we went through this with you before.

We said multiple times that when you heard the 9H on that day the system did not sound like it normally does.

In fact we agreed with you and if you remember we didnt want you to visit that day.

Later we found out that the tone controls on the preamp were engaged with the treble beIng raised along with a few other issues.

It would be entirely different if we thought the system sounded great on your visit.

ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
No problems at all.  Jeff and I didn't always agree on things we heard.  We liked some of the same gear, but not all.  Both of us know what we heard with the 9H's and have heard at others places.  

This is now the first time you have brought up the tone control issue.  Didn't even realize the pre had tone controls.

Maybe you told Jeff not to come, but I never got that message as I wouldn't have bothered if I had know in advance.  

Those speakers have sounded the same in every room I've heard them in.  It's their house sound and if you are into that, it's awesome.  This is why we have different flavor speakers and gear.

You sell them and like them, or like the fact they sell (most probably both).  That's fine.  MANY of us find them very bright regardless of what you play them with and in what room.  

Again, not a big deal.
urbie19
110 posts
 
I went to listen to the 7F. I really wanted to like the persona series being Canadian at all since I am Canadian. But that beryllium Tweeter and midrange are so bright and edgy sounding they don't sound natural at all. the monitor audio Platinum series is much more natural three-dimensional sounding. And the width and depth of the soundstage is also much better with the platinum's. Paradigm has never been a high-end company they're trying but they still got a ways to go with that Tweeter and midrange.
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