Paradigm Persona series

Tough crowd here....  I just purchased the Persona 3f's several months ago and am very happy with them.  They are definitely brighter than many other speakers but that does not bother me at all as I usually over do it anyway on both bass and treble. 
They are definitely a dichotomy. In different setups they sound different.  I have setup them up with different McIntosh gear and even an old Vincent 236.  I like them and have put the full wrath of my MC501's through them where the power guard is blinking at me and think they sound as good at low power as they do running full bore. 
They definitely expose weakness in your system and may just keep them around just to test gear.....lol 

My Personas 9H are improving everyday...not bright at all. Glorious midrange and fantastic bass (anthem room correction helps a lot!).

Dave, How do Focal Sopra 3s compare to Contour 60?

At the dealer where I compared (in the same room with speakers in the same basic location), using my Hegel 30 amp, 30 dac, and Aurender music server (and Anzus C2 Cabling)...

The Contour 60s sounded "good" and had phenomenal bass... so extended, effortless, and with "punch" when called for. However, the soundscape was "monochromatic" or to use another visual example... it was like the color was washed out and subdued. At least they sounded that way when listening to them right *after* listening to the Sopra 3s.

The Sopra 3s had bass that was articulate, but less satisfying to my ears without a sense of weight and authority (though they did go low)... that's where the Dyns really beat them IMO. But the mids and highs were glorious... airy, open, extended, not shrill or bright at all... with resolution and micro detail that kept making me wonder how anything could sound higher-resolution than the red-book CD files I was playing. There was also a lush and alive sound to vocals that was seductive... which was why I ultimately bought them.

After having them for a few months I wasn't thrilled with how they sounded in my own living space (I had a hard time getting front/back holographic imaging with them for some reason in my own house... and that's a key criteria that makes me happy when I listen to high-end audio) and I needed cash given some unexpected issues that came up.

I kept my Ansuz cable upgrades (speaker cable and power cords) that I had done at the same time I had bought the Sopras and wow... that has totally transformed my entire system and made my old (I kid you not) AV 123 "rockets" sound better-than-ever. I hope in a few years to be ready to sound-treat the room and figure out what used speakers might be available at that time so I don't take such a financial risk/loss the next go-around.

What a very entertaining thread.  Nearly everyone I've ever met feel that the 9H is on the brighter side of things.  Every time I've heard it that ways (including at Dave's) it's sounded that way to my ears.  No excuses needed as so many folks feel this is what they want.  

For those of us who feel that's not real etc..., it's not a speaker for us.  I'm sure they are selling plenty as they have a ton of money behind the marketing.  I'm happy for Paradigm.  Good for them to market their gear that they love.  

The more I read posts on these sites, I laugh a bit. I laugh at myself a bit also, so this ins't an attack on anyone.  If folks buy gear and then dont' like it, then it's on them/us.  Too many aren't able to go audition or they get lazy and read online adn then buy used.  This is the best way to never be happy and to lose a lot more money than buying new at a top dealer.  Also, many dealers have a great selection of used gear in their stores that they will audition for you and probably be willing to move at a bit lower cost.  

JMHO