Well, I will say that you could keep your nose "up" and EXPECT something to cost more to sound better. This part of human engineering is fact and well shown by the marketing department of almost all major goods we have.
Magico, Kharma, Wilson, Rockport et al CANNOT compete with the likes of Paradigm on R+D dollars or manufacture of scale. Most forget that the bread and butter of Paradigm is the entry level/mid level which they excel at. This affords profit that they can use to further technology, R+D and execution. Higher end companies cannot afford stinkers. Paradigm has the time, resources and facilities to make what they want, and making Beryllium is not only costly but toxic; something any smaller company CANNOT undertake.
I suspect that if a smaller company were to release the Persona line it would be factors higher in cost. I get it that Paradigm is going to make a profit on what it does; whom doesn't? But are you going to fault Paradigm if the Persona's are a profit? Maybe they have good management. Maybe they have a better fiscal budget. Maybe they have a better understanding of the P+L and know where to risk it and where to stay safe. I don't really care how a company goes about its business; only that it does and produces a product at a price that is competitive and realistic. Sadly, in the high end, simply going higher is the result rather than adding something real or a benefit. It is upgraded, therefore must cost more. Really? Talk about the easy way out.
Yes, for Pardigm, the Personas are costly, but they know the game they are in and know of the cost of gear in front of them. The biggest thing against Paradigm is stigma. And clearly, with Persona, they are trying hard, and in my mind (and ears) succeeding. But there is a huge cult in the high and highest end that cost is the only real currency, not performance. So be it. Look at resale. Audio is no posterboy on this.
I bet if it was behind a blind screen with know knowledge of brand and type most would be blown away. I was and had preconceived bias. And I think for the previous statements that the Signature line was (or is) not as good as it is are unfounded. My system is well driven and IF the Siggys I have were that bad I would dump them fast for Personas. But logistically, as I have said, that is not so easy, the Siggys are really good, and the cost outlay (for me) is not something I can do realistically. Does that mean that I would not buy them in a heartbeat? No. I would. There is no getting past the hi/midrange liquidity, integration, harmony and smoothness. I have not heard such since. Despite cost. Get past he biases. This is the real deal.
Magico, Kharma, Wilson, Rockport et al CANNOT compete with the likes of Paradigm on R+D dollars or manufacture of scale. Most forget that the bread and butter of Paradigm is the entry level/mid level which they excel at. This affords profit that they can use to further technology, R+D and execution. Higher end companies cannot afford stinkers. Paradigm has the time, resources and facilities to make what they want, and making Beryllium is not only costly but toxic; something any smaller company CANNOT undertake.
I suspect that if a smaller company were to release the Persona line it would be factors higher in cost. I get it that Paradigm is going to make a profit on what it does; whom doesn't? But are you going to fault Paradigm if the Persona's are a profit? Maybe they have good management. Maybe they have a better fiscal budget. Maybe they have a better understanding of the P+L and know where to risk it and where to stay safe. I don't really care how a company goes about its business; only that it does and produces a product at a price that is competitive and realistic. Sadly, in the high end, simply going higher is the result rather than adding something real or a benefit. It is upgraded, therefore must cost more. Really? Talk about the easy way out.
Yes, for Pardigm, the Personas are costly, but they know the game they are in and know of the cost of gear in front of them. The biggest thing against Paradigm is stigma. And clearly, with Persona, they are trying hard, and in my mind (and ears) succeeding. But there is a huge cult in the high and highest end that cost is the only real currency, not performance. So be it. Look at resale. Audio is no posterboy on this.
I bet if it was behind a blind screen with know knowledge of brand and type most would be blown away. I was and had preconceived bias. And I think for the previous statements that the Signature line was (or is) not as good as it is are unfounded. My system is well driven and IF the Siggys I have were that bad I would dump them fast for Personas. But logistically, as I have said, that is not so easy, the Siggys are really good, and the cost outlay (for me) is not something I can do realistically. Does that mean that I would not buy them in a heartbeat? No. I would. There is no getting past the hi/midrange liquidity, integration, harmony and smoothness. I have not heard such since. Despite cost. Get past he biases. This is the real deal.