Paradigm Persona series

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.  

@ctsooner 

You are correct.  Troy and Dave (no shocker) think they are one of approximately 5-6 dealers in the country that know how to set-up a speaker and experiment with electronics.

Call them what you will, bright, detailed, accurate etc.  That's what they are.  NO one said they were bad speakers. In fact, I'm sure they measure quite well. Accurate, uncolored etc.

They are fast, they are very detailed.  If you like that, they are a heck of a speaker to audition.

But the bottom line is they are very much on the bright/accurate/fast/detailed end of the spectrum.

Though, I'm sure some isoacoustics footers, and uber expensive cables will warm them right up. ;-)

@csmgolf 

Agreed.  Tried saying the same thing.  Amazing how defensive owners of a speaker feel.  If you like it, good on ya.   

As for Dave and Troy... well... you may have learned by now they are never wrong and can magically tune any speaker with all sorts of magic only they understand.

Or, you know, one can buy the speaker they really audition and like, and then maybe make subtle changes (which is all that in most cases is really possible) once they have them home.

I've owned really bright speakers, tried chasing with amps, sources etc.  No thanks.  Doesn't mean they are bad, in all cases someone else bought them.

I had some klipsch palladiums, they are really quite good - but too lean for me and too bright.

Drummer bought them from me, always uses a sub and LOVED CYMBALS.  For him, they were awesome.

One of the biggest factors regarding a bright speaker and why many don't like them.

https://ehomerecordingstudio.com/fletcher-munson-curve/

Fletcher Munson Curve.  As I stated much earlier in this thread.  The Persona probably works better for a listener that likes low levels and likes female vocals and is more into really dissecting a recording or a speaker.

For those that like to listen louder, a bright speaker just becomes more and more bright in reality.  Because of the Fletcher-Munson curve... aka science.

Also, as you get tired / have a long listening session the perceived loudness to what you are listening to goes up... contributing to fatigue and that is why the highs stand out most.

Ultimately this is why a demo matters.  But in any system far and away your listening habits, volume you like, and room you are in, with the speaker are what matters most.

Some companies try to measure flat, pure and simple.  Some put in a more friendly listening curve.

Then - sources, amps etc.

If you desire to throw money... uber expensive cables, powercords, conditioners, etc.

I don't use zip cord, but I sure as hell wouldn't expect to transform a speaker with uber cables.  Put the money into a better speaker (for you).

There are far and away more of a difference in how a speaker sounds based on design than there is amps, pre-amps etc.  Sure, tubes etc can change the sound, by introducing different levels and types of distortion (which as we know is pleasing to the ear).

Get the speaker right, the rest will follow.  Get the wrong speaker and chase forever!