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Paradigm Persona 3 vs 5 vs Monitor Audio

I just spent a couple of hours comparing the Paradigm Persona 3 and 5. The 3 sounded very good and I was sceptical about whether the 5, for one additional speaker, was really worth 70% more. I expected it to be very similar to the 3 with some added bass. After hearing the 5, I think it offers more than the additional bass. As good as the 3 sounded, the 5 had added depth and realism, even on music without that much bass. I listened to St. Saens 3rd Symphony and Beethoven’s 7th (2nd movement) to hear the bass and Eva Cassidy, Cecilia Bartoli and Brahms Piano Trio #1 for other characteristics.

The 3 is well priced compared the competition and certainly is a good choice. If you can afford the extra $7000, the 5 is definitely better--to me worth the significant price differential.

 To complicate my choice, we then visited another dealer to hear the Monitor Audio pl300ii and it’s an excellent speaker too if you like what I do--wide soundstage, good imaging, realistic rendition of individual instruments. It’s not an easy decision between the Paradigm 5 and the Monitor. To confuse myself further, I’m going tomorrow to hear the third speaker on my short list--the KEF Reference 3 which I’ve liked in prior hearings. I hope to make a decision after that.



brownsf
brownsf OP
38 posts
 
The dealer did move the Persona 5s further apart and it made a positive difference in the soundstage.  As for my wife's comments about the strings sounding harsh on the KEF Reference 3, we played the same CDs on several other speakers--Gamut, Persona 5 and my current Proacs.  Guess what?  Same issue.  Clearly that problem is with the source material. Maybe I should use different CDs or vinyl for auditions. Wish I were a little closer to NY but I'm not and have no planned trips.  
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,787 posts
 
Well Brownsf, we would have relished the opportunity to work with you.

We are one of the very few dealers to sell the Kef, and the Personas and of course with our other favorites, Dali, Legacy, ATC. 

The Personas are really amazing, but can be a little more finiky to work with. The clarity of those Beryilium drivers is just remarkable. 

If you use good matching electronics, cabling and a source you will be amazed at just how close to the real thing the Personas can come to.

We had a client with a Steinway in the same room, we played the same piece on both systems and the Personas were very close to the real Piano.

If you remember we were the dealers that had you slow down and not jump on the Wilson's that you were being offered. 

The reaility is that the system you are looking at now with either the KEF's or the Personas are just fantastic. The Persona's I think are the more magical of the two speakers, but the KEF Ref series are pretty awesome. 

If you ever are in our neck of the woods, please stop in for a visit.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
yyzsantabarbara
4,819 posts
 
brownsf,

I should backtrack on my "I hate tubes" comment. I forgot that I heard my buddy's Spendor D7's with an Audio Research tube amp and it sounded great. So I should just state tubes are have not been my first choice.
dmance's avatar
dmance
45 posts
 
I concur with the statements regarding the Persona 5F’s. They are a big step up from the 3F’s ...and im told its because of the larger cabinet. Well i was sold on the 5f’s ...but then heard the 9H’s which came in for a week-long stint at my dealer. I had two auditions with the 9Hs’ - each three hours. I brought in my own amps and cable each time.
Well all bets are off now. The Persona 9H’s are painfully expensive but an almost attainable level of perfection. You get stunning mids and highs coupled with just honest and controlled lows. There is so much information and enjoyment below 30Hz and the 9H’s presented it to me plain as day. I honestly have not enjoyed my home system since that audition - just paralyzed by the 9H's competence.
dvdboulet
78 posts
 
Dmance... curious how it all turned out!
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