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Persona 3f vs B&W 802D2s

I am in the market for new pair of floor standers, I am starting with the speakers and then will decide on how to drive them.  I listen to everything from classic rock, country, easy listening, classical, musicals, opera, and jazz.  The majority would be in the classic rock category.

My listening room is 14'x18' with 9' ceilings, carpet and untreated.  I also have a 24'x24'x20' family room that this system may get re-purposed if the wife lets me put floor standers in there (it is a Florida home with built in cabinets so I currently have KEF R300, R center with LS50 rear and it is not enough for the room).

My speaker budget is around $10k and really like the Persona 3f (and my wife likes the look) for $10k or a demo pair of B&W 802D2s for $9k.  Was just wondering how the community would compare these two speakers.  Unfortunately I cannot listen to them side by side.
mobiusmu
contuzzi
413 posts
 
I absolutely would say Personas.  

Nothing against the B&W, as I think these are the best line they have ever made (and I appreciate the look), but I just think the Personas are more coherent in the mid/treble region, more holographic, and better looks by a little bit.  The main reason, is amazingly enough, the Personas are considerably more engaging and musical to me and every one of my friends who are into audio (one being a die hard B&W fan who has had the old school 801’s, and the just barely discontinued 802s).
 
Paradigm made something very special.   I just wish the price jump from 3F to 5f got you a bigger performance leap, but according to Paradigm, they underpriced the 3F to hit a magical price point.  Once you realize that, the cost of the rest of the line makes sense.  The 3F is definitely a steal at the asking price.
murphythecat
181 posts
 
yeah seriously, the802d measurements are really bad.
harman room demonstarete that the JBL lsr6332 in a blind test is prefered over the 800D
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,651 posts
 
Hey Contuzzi right on, that is why we say add a good sub which helps round out the sound and give some additional augmentation.

One of the other main differences between the 5F and the 3F is the larger cabinet size interacts in the room to produce a bigger overall sonic picture.

The 3F are indeed a bargin especailly considering the remakable driver technology. 

Setup correctly absoulutely amazing we would take the Person 3F over many much more expensive loudspeakers and when used with a sub you would have to spend a boat load more money to find something better even twice the price. 

The new Naim stuff is awesome we have the little Atom and it sound crazy good, the Nova replaces the Super Uniti which was pretty special in its day, the new Nova is supposed to come much closer to Naim's $13k Nac 272/250DR setup for $7k.

https://hometheaterreview.com/naim-uniti-atom-all-in-one-wireless-music-player-reviewed/?page=2
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
The Personas were one of the best speakers at RMAF this fall . Stat like in room presence of instruments and singers . Perfect frequency response is how I would describe them . All of this in a tiny hotel room . Can’t imagine how great they must be in a good sized treated room . On my short list of speakers to buy , along with Triangle Signature Alpha speakers .
tdimler
132 posts
 
I'll second that....the Personas did sound great at RMAF.  The bass in particular was just outstanding.  They did have room correction employed thought so that is something to consider.
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