Persona 9h vs S3 mk 2

Who is this is Mike Bovaird we are mentioning here?

I like the Persona line and when I heard them, the 3F and 5F at 2 separate dealers, they sounded poor (1 was cringe worthy). So why did I decide to get the 3F and now changing my mind to the 9H? Well I had to make the dealer switch electronics to something I thought was a better match for my ears, though not ideal (such as replace the Macintosh). These changes made the systems sound much better. So much so that one dealer said to me, that it was the best he had heard them. That was a little shocking when an audio nob like me can make HIS products sound better with HIS gear. It made me think this dealer did not care too much about the line.

So when I read these comments about a bad dealer match with the electronics and the Persona I can relate that to what I experienced.

BTW - the 2nd dealer I went to visit for the 3F had the system setup with a $10K+ integrated I believe. I won’t mention what brand itwas because I do not remember exactly what the model was. However, I told the dealer it did not sound too good and the dealer then replaced the integrated with the much cheaper NAD m22 amp and m12 pre/dac and it was way better. Not the best gear but great for the cost.

I can see people still disliking the Persona for it's sonic attributes even with the proper gear match. I would think a Vandersteen or Harbeth fan would not like the Persona. Though I like all 3.

See various other threads for extremely positive things being said about Suncoast Audio.

That doesn’t mean that we should take his unprovoked bashing about Personas seriously.

Again have to agree with Contuzzi, Mr. Boviard, is a rather brilliant businessman who started his own forum which he is the owner and head moderator.

Sure anyone can post but in most cases the discord is hardly unbiased.

We answered a post about the Personas and of course were quickly shot down with the same post as Magico is way better etc, too bright same stuff.

The reality is that the Personas are a total challenger to any of the $60k-100k uber boutique brands such as Rockport, Magico or Wilson. 

We demoed a $120k pair of Kharmas with a Diamond tweeter, custom kevlar midrange and a 12 inch Eaton midrange the speakers weighed about 400 pounds they sounded good but in no way was a superior sound to the Persona 9H at 1/4 the price.

Also have to agree with Yysantabarbera, the Persona will sound good or bad depending on the electronics which you pair them with. 

We have heard different Persona models at stores in CA,  at two different stores in MA, a store in NJ, and most of the demos were hardly convincing in demonstrating just how remarkable the speakers can sound, none of the demos the speakers sounded bad but none of the demos were wow demos either. 

This is a very high resolution line of loudspeakers and the tweeter and midrange drivers do not hold anything back.

When we were seaching for electronics for them we tried:  Conrad Johnson and Manly Labs Tube amplifiers, Electrcompaniet, Chord, Devialet, Thrax and finally T+A before the speakers really started to sound amazing.

The Persona 9h can reward you will breathtaking realisim at a price far below their competion  or they can sound bright, flat and uninvolving. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Persona dealers