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Paradigm Persona series

I'm beginning to poke around and gather opinions and information about a "super speaker" to replace my aging Thiel 2.4s.  I like the idea of bass dsp room correction and I am a bit of a point source type imaging nut (thus the Thiels).  So among other choices I've been looking at the Paradigm Persona series specifically the powered 9H with room correction for the bass.  However I'm skeptical of the "lenses" i.e. pierced metal covers on the midrange and tweeter specifically because of Paradigm's claim that such screens "screen out" "out of phase" musical information.  The technology in the design seems superlative but I just can't get past the claim re out of phase information and the midrange and tweeter covers.  What could possibly be the science behind this claim?  It just seems like its putting a halloween moustache on the mona lisa given the fact that the company is generally a technology driven company.
pwhinson

Showing 8 responses by ricred1

ricred1
1,412 posts
 
pwhinson,
After being around this hobby for a little while I've grown to regret fighting with people over something so subjective. Component choice is about preference, not absolutes where one component will be universally praised. You need to develop thick skin in this hobby, because no matter what you own someone will criticize it. That being said, I've heard  Paradigm 7Fs and submit they weren't excessively bright. Remember you are listening to a system, not just speakers. Finding a good dealer should allow you to build a "system" to your liking. My advice is to listen to as many speakers as you can within your price range and let your own ears decide. 
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
I respect all opinions, because Audio and most things in life are about personal preference. What I don't like is the hypocrisy from many that love Paradigm speakers. I see comments similar to this all the time, " The issue with any of the cleaner and more detailed loudspeakers is going to be setup or detailed speakers required the right components." While at the same time constantly making statements about how over priced and/or bad a particular speaker sounds. Can't we all agree the speakers can sound very different depending on the rest of the components? I heard Magico A3 speakers sound completely different in separate systems. No speaker can be universally loved!
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
Talking to Audiotroy several times has allowed me to see him from a different perspective. Based on our conversations I don’t see him as arrogant, but someone that has a lot of knowledge and wants to expand his customer base. He never once suggested I sell my speakers, but he has provided several relatively inexpensive ways to improve my current system. I take everything Audiogon members post with a grain of salt, including Audiotroy. I use my own ears to decide what components to purchase.
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
contuzzi,
I've never purchased anything from Audiotroy. My dealer and I have been friends for several years and he allows me to either bring components home to evaluate in my system or I can listen to components in his system. I'm just as familiar with my friend's system as my own. If I was interested in a component that my friend didn't carry, I would purchase from another dealer. I purchased my Audioquest Hurricane power cords from another dealer, because they let me try them at home and my friend doesn't carry Audioquest. 

I just don't see the value in trying to destroy a person I don't know. At one time I was interested in a component that Audiotroy talks about on Audiogon, so I called him. Fortunately I was able to hear it relatively close to where I live and I didn't like it.
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
ctsooner,
I agree with your post. I’ve listened to Paradigm 7Fs and didn’t care for them, but I can understand why some may love them. I just think it’s silly for Dave to keep repeating how Paradigm’s benefit from the "right" components being connected to them. All speakers benefit from the "right" components being connected to them.
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
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!  
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
maplegrovemusic,

"Going on a forum that is discussing a speaker I don't like is a waste of time and a disservice to that company products .", but then you post, "The vandersteens sound like a blanket is covering the tweeters." I don't own Vandersteens,  but this is the hypocrisy that I'm talking about. Everyone has preferences and it's as simple as that. The Personaa are good speakers,  but there are a lot of good speakers. 
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
I submit there is a difference between a dealer providing discounts and a company. I know dealers that discount prestigious brands, but I don't recall any prestigious brands announcing a discount on a current product. 
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