beryllium vs diamond

kosst

I said they sounded opaque in my last audition, in a grayish tone sort of way, and with less sense of separation and richness vs the B&W speaker.

But I also noted I found the high frequencies of the Paradigm more fatiguing over time, the same with my previous audition last year.

Guys, plenty of reviewers always write positive reviews.  Some don't know how to listen or what they are listening tot.  I know one who has joked about him getting free or LOW cost gear and all he has to do is post great things about someone's gear.  

We all are physically different.  Our ears are all different.  It's interesting how many of us are hearing the exact same thing though.  There is a market for most everything.

verdantaudio,

You posted "[that the Persona] is universally deemed bright and I found it **and every other paradigm product I have ever heard to be bright.** But, that has been there [sic] house sound since the beginning of time."

I never heard the Personas and express no views.  That said, I seem to recall that John Atkinson may have reviewed one of the Persona models and I noted that the top end was shelved up. That could possible explain what you heard.  

In any case, I own the Paradigm Signature 8 (v3) BE tweeter speakers.  Based on old reviews of its predecessor (S8 v2), I recall that the FR was pretty flat, although its impedance and phase angle curves were pretty wild.  On the other hand, I also recall that Audiophile Review.com reviewed a bunch of speakers and to my surprise, the S8s ranked 7 among a host of dozens.  

See https://audiophilereview.com/audiophile/the-25-ultimate-audiophile-speakers-of-all-time.html

Well, I still own the S8s and I do not find them bright or harsh.  I can't speak for other speakers in the Paradigm line, but the S8s with the BE tweeters sound very nice.  It could be that my ARC Ref 150SE tube amp tames the harshness, …. who knows.  In any case, IMO, your post uses a pretty broad brush to slap a lot of paint on a company's entire speaker line.

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion.  I have been dying to listen to the Magico S5 Mk IIs, coupled with my amp.  Maybe one day I will get that chance.  But until that day comes, IMO, I do not think that I am listening to sonic swill.  

Respectfully submitted,

BIF

@bifwynne     I never called Paradigm sonic swill.  I have heard six or eight paradigm products since the mid 90s and they have had a consistent sound.  Paradigm has some of the most loyal and enthusiastic fans of any brand.  I feel like they have a consistent house sound and if you like it, you really like it.  If you don’t, you usually really don’t.  It’s not bad.  It’s my opinion based on my observations.  

I like Magico speakers and another poster in this thread I think said they are lifeless.  It’s an opinion and worth roughly what we all paid for.  Mine is worth just as much.  

Incidentally, in another thread, I told another poster that I hated using the word bright.  He suggested that “bright” was not a bad thing, just a descriptor.  I took his advice here.  Evidently, I was right.