2. speakers
  3. 154114-141390

Which one? Paradigm persona 3f, Revel Studio2, Audiosolution Figaro L, Goldenear reference

Guys, I am new here and have been following many topics here. I am like an audio enthusiast (not a audiophile by any means) and just did my 2 channel stereo with B&W 702 S2 with Naim Unity atom: It is also connected to TV via optical cable in living room. They sound very good overall and am happy with it.
Now, I am planning to complete a home theater in basement: I am considering 2 options.
1. Either using my B&W 702 S2 as part of 7.1.4 set up in basement and get a new 2 channel stereo.
2. Keeping the current set up in living room and buy a separate set of speakers in basement for 2 channel stereo for music and L/R for home theater.
I went to audition B&W 802 D3 and 803 D3 at Houston, while I was on business trip. At the same place, I auditioned Audiosolutions Figaro L and XL. Those speakers sound "amazing". The sound stage, bass were excellent. The mid were very good. The highs were not as good as B&W, but very close. I have selected them over B&W 8 series above. I am close to get Figaro L. But, have heard a lot of reviews on paradigm persona 3f, revel studio2 and goldener reference (somewhat within the price range, I am willing to pay). Has anybody had to make decision with similar speakers. Any body with expereince with above speakers ?, especially audiosolutions. I will soon go for audition of paradigm, revel studio2 and f228be. Hard to find a goldenear dealer for audition close to Indianapolis. Is there any other speakers in this price range (10-13), that is worth ?. I did audition Focal soprano N2 and very good overall. Still in the list of probables.
I had auditioned Dynaudio contour 60. Not my taste. 
romney80

Showing 10 responses by romney80

romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Lots of things changed since I last posted in this. Before I ordered audio solutions figaro L, I wanted to give final thought on magico A3 and audition aerial acoustics 7T. I loved aerial acoustics 7t so much and also got a good deal. I have finally purchased aerial acoustics 7t and love it. Now I know what a “neutral” or “transparency” means. Amazing bass and sound stage. Will keep this for many years to come. Just wanted to share with you guys. Now with corona virus thing going on and being at home, these speakers give me a good company. Love them. Anybody with aerial acoustics 7t and what amps are you guys using or suggest. I currently have Naim nova and musical fidelity m6i. Both of them good. 
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Like to have good sound stage, image and depth. I am not very critical about being neutral. Some brightness is good in highs. Most importantly, my wife should be in agreement with looks. 
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
I have heard that paradigm personas are harsh and bright from many people. Some even complain of feeling like a tinnitus. But I love their looks and has a very good WAF. Have lot of expectations from revels and goldenear reference. Will update you guys when I audition. 
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
The figaro XL is the very big one (too big..). Figaro L is same size as M: Figaro L has exceptional sound stage and bass. Just addictive. I auditioned at 3mA audio there. I was so close to write check.
I have 702 s2: During that audition, I felt 804 d3 was much better with bass, and slightly better in mids and highs, compared to 702S2. I could not justify 100% price difference for barely 20% difference. I am going to keep 702s2 for long. It just grows on you. 
Anybody has any experience with goldenear reference ?. The reviewers are crazy about them. I am trying to find a dealer to audition them. 

romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Appreciate all the inputs. Very good points. I am definitely going to audition 3f. It looks stunning on pictures. Revel beryllium speakers (f228be) also has very good reviews. I had heard F206 in past and was really impressed. Am sure f228be will amaze me. I have also included PSB Imagine T3 and Sonus Faber Olympica III in my list to audition. 
Wish Goldenear made other colors. Their reference is too big (60 inch). Will see them in person. Going to start my audition journey next week. 
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Thanks @cd84 and @gfrazi for that information on dealers for GE. I am going to audition goldenear and paradigm at same place. I definitely understand Triton one.R being less imposing space wise. GE reference is as tall as my wife ;)
I listened to focal Kanta 3 when I auditioned sopra 2. Sopra 2 is in a different league and much better. I still have sopra 2 in my short list.
My short list includes:
Sopra 2
Audiosolutions Figaro L (Seriously, I am still in love with this).

Once I audition the others as above, I will update you guys.
Any dealers for Magico A3 or Joseph audio close to Indy?. Have heard people raving about them. Would like to audition them definitely. 
I know it is too much to ask, but what do you guys think about the Technics SB-R1. Saw some deals on them online. I am not the one who buys just because it is on deal, but this one caught my eyes and seemed worth some attention. 
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Ok. I auditioned a lot of speakers today: Spent almost whole day. 
Even though persona 5f (no 3f to demo) was visually striking, I felt it was too bright for me. Other than that, the mid and bass were tight and good. 
GE reference were visually not satisfying. Sound wise, it did everything good. Nothing to fault on. Very detailed and natural.
Sonus Faber Olympica III: Looked very good. Very soft, mellow: Does not hit on face. 
Magico A3: Wow. These are good. Little bright (much less brighter than BW or 3f). But the details, clarity, and sound stage were very good and mesmerizing. Loved this.
I got to listen to KEF reference 3 too: They are somewhat in between BW 802D3 and Magico A3. The bass of KEF reference 3 is "big" and tight. Liked their bass.
Revel Ultima salon2: They are big visually and in sound. It does everything good and big. Could not find anything false on the sound. Looks very muscular does not have that WAF.
There are few variables here: Different set of amp, DAC/Pre-amp, streamers. 
As I told you guys, I am not a audiophile and most of it is my amateur listening skills and some subjectivity. 

After auditioning, my top choices are:
Revel Ultima salon2 (no WAF: But the sound quality can more than compensate).
Magico A3
Focal sopra N2
Audiosolutions Figaro L.
+/- KEF reference 3.
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
I agree with Revel f228be. Lots of good reviews on them. The audio dealer did not have them. He is going to get f328be in next week. I am going to listen to them to get an idea. 
I got find dealers for Meridian audio and vivid Kaya (although looks little weird for my wife). 
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Thanks so much.
I will try aerial acoustics 6t, if I can find a dealer near me. I want to hear Joseph Audio perspective too. My dealer is going to get revel f328be soon and will try that one to get feel of new revel series. 
As I said, I loved salon2 for what it did with every music I played. Sad, could not hear studio2 but am sure it does good (it is Stereophile class A rated !!!). 
I want to give Golden ear reference another try with different amp. My dealer was using a old Rogue audio amp, which was not impressive. 
At least part of the reason I felt in love with revel salon2, KEF ref-3 and Magico A3 could be the hifi gear behind them (dealer told me those cost > 20K, including the speaker cables).They used Mark Levinson 585 (I think) with lumin S1. Also used Rotel Michi (which is the latest apparently).
romney80 OP
150 posts
 
Alright, here is my final decision: 
After auditioning the speakers, I have made final decision and have pulled the trigger: ..... 
AUDIOSOLUTIONS Figaro L.
It is not like a winner by any means, because all the speakers I auditioned were excellent with their own sonic triumph. But Audiosolutions Figaro L, were just addictive and perfect to "my ears", even when driven by average gears behind them. 
Anybody in this price category, strongly suggest to audition them, and see what I mean by "wow" factor. 
More to discover