Paradigm Persona series

riovendale, what was the dealers using for the setup?

If you use them with the wrong electronics they are going to sound like what you describe the Persona's are a much more detailed type of sound then all the other loudspeakers you mentioned we sell the Kef LS 50 and the Kef R11 which definately are a much more laid back sounding product. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Kef and Persona dealers

Chain was Luxman DA-250 DAC into my Schiit Audio Ragnarok integrated amp. Ragnarok is neutral and resolving, so what you’re saying makes sense. What I thought was strange is that I hated the Persona sound, yet use Focal Utopia headphones on the same amp (also a very resolving beryllium design) without the same issues.

The Persona speakers seem to be a very polarizing design, with some loving them and others finding them to be too forward and objectionably bright. I've seen both user comments and reviews reflecting this dichotomy with extremely strong voices on both sides. There's no substitute for an in home audition when it comes to selecting speakers, and I think one would be particularly well advised to arrange one before purchasing the Persona speakers.

I agree with the audition advice. But these speakers measure with a large peak at 10 kHz and another one even higher. See: https://www.stereophile.com/images/918ParaP5Ffig4.jpg.

Buyer beware. :)

Rivionale what's your agenda? You pick on the Persona yes which in the Stereophile measurements has a few peaks and valleys just checked review measurements on 

$130k Sonus Faber Aidahttps://www.stereophile.com/content/sonus-faber-aida-loudspeaker-measurements notice is it also not flat and has peaks and valleys accross its frequncey range

A $70k pair of Vandersteen 7 MK II have dips in most of their high frequency range  and a trough in some of the lower frequencies https://www.stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-model-seven-mkii-loudspeaker-m7-hpa-monoblock-power-...


A pair of $58k Wilson Alexia MK 2 https://www.stereophile.com/content/wilson-audio-specialties-alexia-series-2-loudspeaker-measurement... I see depressions in the top end and a hump in the lower bass frequencies.

I guess all of these speakers must sound bad based on their measurements what is clear is that none of these speakers measure flat all are higly respected loudpseakes what is clear is that loudspeakers either have rising top ends or top ends with depressions, gee guess what a speaker with a duller top end will sound warmer and one with a high frequency peak will sound brighter. 

Please Rivonale show me one highly lauded speaker system measured by Stereophile which actually measures flat? 

The art of a good setup is the ability to mix room acoustics, components and source gear into a well balanced sounding system. 

Taking one part of the equation out of the entirity of a setup demonstrates nothing but ignorance. If you have a brighter speaker add more absorptave material which could be acoustic panels or pillows. 

If your speakers sound too dull add brighter cabling or sources take out overally absorptave materials and add eq if possible. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Persona dealers