Paradigm Persona series

@audiotroy Thanks for the feedback. One of your recent customers, who bought a CODA #8 from you, messaged me that you would be doing such Anthem STR preamp testing in the coming weeks. Hopefully you can post the results without causing mass hysteria. Whatever, the case I will give you a call and we can discuss the amp I would want to get.

As an FYI, the only reason I went to audition the Persona is due to the great feedback Audiotroy has been giving on this line. A ton of negative posts on here about the Persona but I decided to take the time to audition it (a real PIA for me) because a lot of stuff I read on here by Audiotroy makes sense to me. Actually, when most dealers post I make a point of reading their posts because they have great info, even if it is biased towards their products.

I was all set to buy the Magico A3 but after I heard the Persona 5F I knew that the Magico A3 was no longer my favorite (but close). It was the tweeter and mid range that won me over. The Persona demo I had was actually off to a very bad start and I had to give the local dealer feedback on a better setup configuration to make the Person 5F sound better. It was only after those changes did I realize that I liked the Persona over the Magico. So from my efforts, learned by my A’gon research, my local dealer gets a nice sale of the Persona 3F and Anthem STR preamp.

I should add that I was trying a different combo at my local dealership than they used with the Persona’s. So it was not their fault that it sounded aweful at first.

Yysantabarbera, remember we have been saying right from the get go that these speakers are very amplifer sensitive and when used with the right stuff they sound magnificent and in many way outperform speakers that are way more expensive.

When we were setting up our 9H we tried numerous combinations of electronics, digital and power conditioners before we hit magic.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Persona, Coda, Krell, Anthem dealers

Glad to see a few folks giving the Personas a chance. I am enjoying the heck out my 5f’s. Sound better all the time as they have a long break in time. Electronics on the warmer side and you will be rewarded. 
Cabling is also very important. Cerious Technologies Matrix line is a great match. Replaced the Audience AU 24SX at half the cost and really a perfect cable for the the Personas. 

Well,

Demo'd these a few times.  (and a few speakers in the persona line-up)

If you like detail, I mean LOTS of detail they have it in spades.  The first 10-15 minutes at moderate volume - holy crap, if it's in the recording they will reproduce it.

After 10-15 minutes with the volume cranked up a bit, no thank you for me.  Cymbals, Cymbals, and more Cymbals... but I listen to rock, blues, and reggae.  

IF you are interested I absolutely make sure you demo them long, hard, and a few times WITH the electronics you are going to use.

I could see someone loving them who listens to Jazz, female vocals, and loves to analyze the recordings and every micro detail at moderate volumes.  They do it, and they do it well.

For a listener who likes to add a little gas and have a little fun - man I would make sure your electronics are WARM and your room is damped.  

I'm sure they measure really, really well.  

There are no 9Fs, I see someone keep mentioning them. 9H and 7F. Personally I wasn't a fan of the 3Fs, but the 9Hs were fantastic. I would get the 5Fs if that's what you auditioned...unless you also auditioned the 3Fs and liked them.