Paradigm Persona series

contuzzi, it really sounds like you have all of us and dealers figured out.  Why are you hanging out with us, after all...…"It’s amazing how much “audiophiles” are psychologically influenced and don’t even realize it." and..."The brightest tv at Best Buy only looks good if you’re ignorant and know very little about picture quality."   Are you here to save us from ourselves, if that's it we kind of feel we are already doing ok and don't need saving so you can feel free to go post on the next audio board knowing we are ok now.

It's so funny to read comments from people who regularly trash other components, get so upset that some don't prefer Paradigm Personas. There are no absolutes in audio, only preferences!  

1. Music
The music I brought was part high-res and part Redbook CD rips (to FLAC), all things that I think sound good on all my own systems. More importantly, I know how they sound on other systems that I own or am auditioning. Finally, it’s all my kind of music. I think this is most of it.

• Brahms Trios - Vogt/Tetszlaff DSD
• Joey Alexander, Freedom Dance (HD flac)
• Ravel quartet- Sequoia String Quartet (redbook),
• Herbie Hancock - River (redbook)
• Bantock Celtic Symphonies (redbook - this piece has weird instrumentation, which makes for a fun listening test)
• Cool - Bill Charlap Trio (redbook)
• Brahms Viola Sonatas - Kim Kashkashian/Robert Levin ECM (redbook)
• Mahler songs of a Wayfarer - Jesus Schmidt & Cincinnati Symphony (Telarc, redbook)
• Mendelssohn String Quartets - Artemis Quartet (HD FLAC)
• Beethoven Symphonies - Karajan/Berlin (1963), DG high-res remastering (HD FLAC)
  

I don’t think they are particularly bright recordings as a group. All but the Charlap and Hancock recordings have great live-recorded information that allows you to hear instrument location. As we all know, location cues tend to be higher in frequency.

2. Sound impressions
My home system resided for 25 years in a room with a Steinway baby grand and frequent viola, cello, and quartet playing. I know well what those things sound like directly in front of me. I also used to do jazz gigs in my early twenties and attended Berklee College of Music. I also think I know what a big band and small ensemble sound like. Beyond that, I make no ’golden ear’ claims.

On the speakers, the word "bright" can mean different things to different people, and my ears are only a reference for my own wallet. Frankly, I struggle with the terminology people use for speakers. "Imaging" I understand, but when people start talking about "rhythm" the musician in me wants to scream BS. So we can always disagree on one of these loose adjectives.

However, I think the three separate bench tests available on line factually establish that the Paradigms would *all else equal* have a treble boost up to 5db, +/- 15 degrees to head on, compared to many other speakers. It very neatly explains what I heard, and with three separate tests confirming this sizable bump, I accept this as factual, or as close as we are going to get.

Of course, "all else" is almost never equal, which, like a high-spirited romantic partner, is both frustrating and enchanting.

I reiterate my gratitude to Dave for letting me audition. It may take more time, but I have a day job that pays for my habit! And it may be that I need an in-home audition of some things.

Dear Mr. Hofer you were a pleasure to have at the shop, and demo the Kef's and the Paradigms for you.

Love to have you come back for a more extended demo where we can show you some ways of warming up the Personas with Roon and you should also listen to the new Krell K300i it is an awesome amp with the Personas. The Krell is really warm and full bodied so you might appreciate what that combo brings to the table.

Just by making a couple of changes we can add a bit more warmth to the Personas which just might make them rich enough for you.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Persona Dealers

@ahofer Hope you post on what you end up getting. I always like to know what systems musicians listen with. I think I have great hearing but that does not mean I know what a musical instrument should REALLY sound like. Sounds like you would know this better.