AT, you are very wrong about VAndy guys not liking some of the Rockport speakers. I've heard the Personas many many times with great gear. They are tipped up on the high end and even dealers who sell many have said the same. That's the sound that you are selling and many are buying and enjoying. There' room for everyone.
That said, someone I know has a pair of Rockport Lyra's paired with over 400k worth of source, electronics, cords, cables etc... They sounded very inviting with the reel to reel. They weren't fatiguing in teh way the Persona's are to MY ears. Do I still like Vandersteen's Sub Nine system with his own amps? Yes, I do especially when paired with the Ayre KXR preamp or the Audio Research pre or the D'Agastino pre.
What you have to realize is that many of us enjoy a specific speaker line or two, but can still enjoy a different flavor of sound. I just don't like things that fatigue me and hurt my ears (not picking on the Paradigm's, just that type of sound in general). Heck, I love the Harbeth's. Can enjoy them all day long, but they don't do many things that I need on a daily basis when spending this kind of money. JMHO
That said, someone I know has a pair of Rockport Lyra's paired with over 400k worth of source, electronics, cords, cables etc... They sounded very inviting with the reel to reel. They weren't fatiguing in teh way the Persona's are to MY ears. Do I still like Vandersteen's Sub Nine system with his own amps? Yes, I do especially when paired with the Ayre KXR preamp or the Audio Research pre or the D'Agastino pre.
What you have to realize is that many of us enjoy a specific speaker line or two, but can still enjoy a different flavor of sound. I just don't like things that fatigue me and hurt my ears (not picking on the Paradigm's, just that type of sound in general). Heck, I love the Harbeth's. Can enjoy them all day long, but they don't do many things that I need on a daily basis when spending this kind of money. JMHO