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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
yyzsantabarbara
4,917 posts
 
@contuzzi What a coincidence that you responded. I was just about to search through your A'gon comments on the Persona line. I know you have provided a lot of feedback on them. 

I think you mean that the STR amp is the better choice than the other 3 amps that I have listed. If so, that would make life easier and likely provide better synergy with the Anthem preamp.

Have you heard the Persona's with other amps (maybe costing more) that you liked better than the Anthem?

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d2girls's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
d2girls
1,029 posts
 
are the 9f $35,000 usd retail? they only cost 19k cdn each... interesting
contuzzi
413 posts
 
I have heard them with the following....


Aavik U-300 integrated (sounded great, but overpriced)

Yamaha RN-803 did okay, and its an awesome piece, but perhaps the only setup I thought that was lacking.

Anthem STR integrated (best value dollar for dollar by far, especially if you want to integrate subs, which this will do better than ANYTHING else out there, fact.  Just wait for the new ARC Genesis update coming out in the next couple months)

Anthem STR preamp with the STR amp (best sound but dollar for dollar the integrated a better value)

Anthem STR preamp with Bryston 4bSST sounded great.

the new carver Amps sounded incredible with them.  I heard a bit with the mono blocks and STR pre. Mind blowing.  Then the 275 or whatever the inexpensive amp is (outstanding) around $2,500.

I haven’t heard them with any of the three you listed other than some modern high top of the line krell stuff and that sounded a little hard to me.  Could have been my expectation bias because I always have thought krell sounds cold and sterile.

I have also heard them with some higher end McIntosh stuff a friend has.  600watt mono blocks I believe, and a Mac preamp.  Sounded a little dry, but I’m sure 90% of the sound difference I heard was the room being completely different.

I think that’s all.


Make sure you toe in the Personas 5 degrees max.  Completely unnecessary for any more aggressive tow in (like any good speaker).  

Let me know if you want me to go into any more detail about what I heard from memory.

mtrot
804 posts
 
Interesting.  I called a dealer in Dallas, and they were not well informed about the Paradigm Persona Trade Up program.  The guy with whom I spoke thought that the amount was UP TO 20%, and was at the discretion of the dealer.  This is not correct, as the 20% discount is direct from Paradigm.  The terms of the deal also indicate that the dealer may also offer and additional discount.  I read the information to him from the Paradigm web site, and he said he would look into it and call me right back.  It's been close to an hour now and I have not heard back.  Seems like a great deal, if it actually works.
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