Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

Product Strengths

  • Exceptional clarity and detail across the frequency range, described as 'peerless' in midband and treble insight
  • Impressive soundstage and precise imaging reproduce a large sonic picture, creating a sense of spaciousness
  • Low distortion allows it to play loudly, maintaining composure even with demanding tracks
  • Beautiful and elegant design, described as being closer to a luxury yacht than the average speaker cabinet design
  • Good bass for a bookshelf speaker, with a fast, well-defined quality

Product Considerations

  • Can be very sensitive to amplifier matching, warmer, softer amplifiers are preferred
  • The Beryllium drivers may impart a slight sonic signature, described as a 'sheen' over the highest vocals and resulting in voices sounding a 'little more ethereal and less grounded'
  • May lack a little depth in the image produced
  • Reviewer experienced a pervasive brittle and coarse quality in the midrange and upper midrange
  • Bass performance can be volume-dependent, requiring higher volumes to achieve optimal warmth and potency

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Offers more precise and ultrasmooth sound in the midrange and highs, with superior resolution and ability to reproduce subtle changes in soundstage positioning, compared to Martin Logan Masterpiece Classic ESL 9
  • Similar in overall presentation to Magico S1 MkII
  • The Focal Sopra 1 and Fritzspeakers Carrera BE offer an improved ability to present upper frequency harmonics in correct proportion to their fundamental sounds, Persona B offers a less refined treble range with more etch and less natural sibilance than these speakers
  • Where resolution, linearity, and transparency are concerned, there is no contest with Graham Audio LS5/9, while the LS5/9 has deeper and fatter bass

Takeaway: The Paradigm Persona B excels at revealing every detail in recordings and creates an immersive listening experience with its large soundstage and precise imaging. They would be a great fit in smaller rooms and are an outstanding choice for those wanting the detail of the Persona line in a less expensive form factor.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

Persona B

reviews

[{"title":"Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers","link":"https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1117-paradigm-persona-b-loudspeakers","source":"SoundStage! Hi-Fi","datePublished":"2017"},{"title":"Paradigm Persona B","link":"https://www.hifichoice.com/content/paradigm-persona-b","source":"Hi-Fi Choice","datePublished":"2021"},{"title":"Paradigm Persona B","link":"https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/loudspeaker-reviews/loudspeakers-passive-reviews/paradigm-persona-b","source":"Hifi-Advice","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"Paradigm’s Persona B","link":"https://www.tonepublications.com/review/paradigms-persona-b","source":"TONEAudio MAGAZINE","datePublished":""},{"title":"Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers","link":"https://www.hifinews.com/content/paradigm-persona-b-loudspeakers","source":"Hi-Fi News","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"Paradigm Persona B hands-on review","link":"https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/paradigm-persona-b-review","source":"Digital Trends","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers","link":"https://10audio.com/paradigm_persona-b","source":"10 Audio","datePublished":"2018"},{"title":"Multitest speakers - Focal Sopra No1 - Paradigm persona B - Kudos 505","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msaq4kCYclw","source":"Alpha Audio","datePublished":"2021"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Design: 2-driver, 2 way bookshelf bass reflex
  • Crossover: 3rd order electro-acoustic at 2 kHz (tweeter/midbass)
  • High Frequency Driver: 1" (25mm) Truextent® Beryllium dome, ferro-fluid damped / cooled
  • Frequency Response On-Axis: +/- 2dB from 60Hz - 45kHz
  • Frequency Response 30° Off-Axis: +/- 2dB from 60Hz - 20kHz
  • Mid/Bass Frequency Driver: 7" (178mm) Truextent® Beryllium driver
  • Sensitivity Room/Anechoic: 92 dB / 89 dB
  • Low Frequency Extension: 36Hz
  • Suitable Amplifier Power Range: 15 - 250 watts
  • Maximum Input Power: 150 Watts
  • Impedance: Compatible with 8 ohms
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 17.125" × 8.875" × 13" (43.5cm × 22.5cm × 33cm)
  • Weight: 31 lbs. (14 kg)
  • Finishes: High Gloss: Vanta Black, Harmony White; Metallic Gloss: Aria Blue, Sonic Silver
2-driver, 2 way bookshelf bass reflex *Stand not included
2-driver, 2 way bookshelf bass reflex*Stand not included
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • Paradigm designs and manufactures their own drivers, including the rare and expensive Beryllium drivers used in their higher-end Persona and Founder series, allowing for precise control over performance characteristics.
  • They utilize Perforated Phase-Aligning (PPA) lenses over tweeters and midrange drivers, a visually distinctive technology they claim smooths and widens dispersion while protecting the drivers.
  • Paradigm is known for integrating Anthem Room Correction (ARC) technology from their sister company, Anthem Electronics, to optimize bass performance and room integration of their subwoofers.
  • They focus on delivering high dynamic range, enabling their speakers to play loudly and cleanly without compression or distortion, even at mass-market price points.

Monitor SE 8000F

  • Positioning: The entry-level floorstanding speaker in Paradigm's lineup, offering high performance at an affordable price.
  • Description: Features a 5-driver, 3-way bass reflex design that delivers robust bass and clear highs, with dynamic sound and excellent imaging. Compared to higher-end models like the Premier 800F, it offers great value for those with budget constraints, making it ideal for medium-sized rooms where affordability and quality are key.

Premier 800F

  • Positioning: The mid-range floorstanding speaker in Paradigm's lineup, balancing performance and value.
  • Description: Features clear midrange and well-integrated bass, using Active Ridge Technology (ART) for reduced distortion. While it offers superior sound quality compared to the Monitor SE 8000F, it remains more accessible than the Founder 120H.

Founder 120H

  • Positioning: The high-end floorstanding speaker in Paradigm's lineup, designed for audiophiles seeking advanced technology and superior sound.
  • Description: Features a hybrid design with active bass and a built-in amplifier, providing deep, controlled bass and precise sound. Its advanced technologies, such as the AL-MAC high-frequency driver, offer a more refined audio experience than the Premier 800F.

Persona 9H

  • Positioning: The flagship model in Paradigm's lineup, representing the pinnacle of their speaker technology and design.
  • Description: Features Truextent Beryllium drivers for exceptional clarity and Anthem Room Correction for precise audio tuning. It surpasses all other models in the lineup, including the Founder 120H, in terms of technological sophistication and soundstage.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
319
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Brand Popularity
14
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Products Listed
90
Founding Year
1982

Our take on the brand

Paradigm is a Canadian hifi speaker brand that designs and builds their products locally, using advanced materials like beryllium in their drivers and their proprietary PPA lens technology for better sound dispersion. Their speakers are favored by audiophiles seeking high-end sound at relatively lower prices, and they integrate Anthem Room Correction technology to optimize performance in modern open-concept homes with challenging acoustics.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

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What if you spend more?

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Audio Note
AN-J
10500
10500
/
7
Reviews

The design of the AN-J Loudspeaker, by contrast, follows an altogether different philosophy. It calls for a cabinet that complements the chosen drive units, rather than fighting against them. Instead of trying to kill the resonances, we tailor the cabinet to place them in frequency bands where they aid and enhance the operation of the drive units, culminating in a loudspeaker system that makes the most of the preceding amplifier’s output. The material choice for the cabinet is an area where a great deal of research and development has taken place. Over the years, we have tried many different materials and combinations, a time consuming endeavour culminating in the current design, which utilises the highest quality birch ply for the entire cabinet. Bracing and internal damping is kept to a minimum and strategically applied to help, not hinder the drivers.

Audio Note UK is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of valve-based audio equipment, designing and producing nearly all components in-house, including transformers and capacitors. The brand has achieved cult status among audiophiles who appreciate its minimalist, non-oversampling approach and its emphasis on musicality over technical specifications.
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Product Strengths

  • Solid bass performance for a speaker of its size
  • Able to do justice to any genre of music and at realistic volume levels
  • Very easy to drive
  • Offers a balanced presentation from top to bottom with seamlessness between the woofer and tweeter
  • Started sounding like far more than a pair of 8″ two-way monitors when properly positioned along the side walls

Product Considerations

  • Achieving the best imaging and deep bass may require experimenting with toe-in and distance from corners and the back wall
  • Does not provide much forward/backward information, with the image typically stopping at the outer edge of the speakers
  • The basic 'D' model comes only in black ash veneer, while higher-end models offer more choices
  • Bass can be overblown if not adjusted properly in room placement

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The AN-E has more bass, is easier to drive, and has a bigger presentation
  • Some may prefer the J because they find it a more taught presentation in the mid bass, as well as more "present" in the voice band

Takeaway:

The AN-J is a near full-range loudspeaker capable of articulation and organic flow, making music sound natural and engaging. If someone is looking for a communicative quality that remains consistent wherever they listen, then the AN-J could be a good fit.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Audio Note UK is one of Europe's largest manufacturers of valve-based audio equipment, designing and producing nearly all components in-house, including transformers and capacitors. The brand has achieved cult status among audiophiles who appreciate its minimalist, non-oversampling approach and its emphasis on musicality over technical specifications.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
KEF
Reference 1 Meta
10200
10200
/
7
Reviews

The one standmount model in the Reference series could be the only loudspeaker you ever need. A three-way model boasting KEF’s 12th generation Uni-Q® driver array with MAT™, Reference 1 Meta is capable of delivering expansive, high-performance sound that goes way beyond what its relatively compact size would suggest was possible.

KEF's signature Uni-Q technology places the tweeter in the center of the woofer to create a single point source for sound, while their Metamaterial Absorption Technology absorbs 99% of unwanted sound from the rear of the driver. Their Music Integrity Engine corrects timing errors in the speaker crossover, and their Shadow Flare technology reduces diffraction for improved detail and clarity in sound reproduction.
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Product Strengths

  • Balanced, refined, and musical performance
  • Fine stereo imaging and a wide—beautifully focused—soundstage
  • Impressive bass power and authority for a standmount speaker
  • Excellent build quality and finish
  • Uni-Q driver produces a consistent dispersion pattern

Product Considerations

  • Demands an amplifier with plenty of power due to its low sensitivity (85dB/W/m) and 4 Ohm impedance (minimum 3.2 Ohms)
  • Dedicated stands are expensive (S-RF1)

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4: Sounds larger-scale, more muscular, and punchy

Takeaway: The KEF Reference 1 Meta is a superb speaker combining excellent sound with clever engineering, well suited for audiophiles looking for a high-quality listening experience. It delivers an immersive and detailed soundstage.

Video review

Our take on the brand

KEF's signature Uni-Q technology places the tweeter in the center of the woofer to create a single point source for sound, while their Metamaterial Absorption Technology absorbs 99% of unwanted sound from the rear of the driver. Their Music Integrity Engine corrects timing errors in the speaker crossover, and their Shadow Flare technology reduces diffraction for improved detail and clarity in sound reproduction.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Product image
Bowers & Wilkins
805 D4 Signature
13500
13500
/
7
Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
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Product Strengths

  • Adept at handling complex compositions and uncovering the finest sonic detail without losing track of the musical picture as a whole
  • Gets listeners closer than ever to the artist's intent
  • Excellent sense of detail, of boundaries naturally drawn
  • High-frequencies sound realistic and natural

Product Considerations

  • Low frequencies were somewhat lightweight
  • With such a tipped-up tweeter, the resulting sound could be too bright
  • Due to a lack of boundary reinforcement, Bowers & Wilkins speakers with top-mounted tweeters always drop off below around 5kHz

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Versus Magico A1, Magico A1 aim for pure neutrality
  • Versus Dynaudio Confidence 20, Dynaudio Confidence 20 is for listeners who just want to enjoy their music

Takeaway: The 805 D4 makes music sound very realistic and clear, almost as if you are there. It can make a small room feel big with its sound.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
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Focal
Diablo Utopia Colour Evo
10499
10499
/
6
Reviews
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Product Strengths

  • Features a 1-inch pure beryllium inverted dome tweeter that rests inside its own chamber, which acts as a tuned resonator, and helps give the speaker its iconic profile
  • The cabinet's shape helps to mechanically time-align the two drivers and optimize the phase between them
  • Bass is firm, free of any distortion or boominess, and agile when driven correctly with a capable amplifier
  • The speaker is neutral throughout the midrange, and clear, focused, and detailed
  • Transparency to the music and resulting 3-dimensional soundstage that is boundary-defying in almost all directions, with dynamics close second only to the La Scala

Product Considerations

  • For true full-range playback, a subwoofer is required
  • The beryllium tweeter has the ability to showcase the flaws in poor recordings
  • Sound improves the more upmarket the accompanying equipment is
  • Amplification pairing is vital and can drastically change the sound
  • Placement of these speakers in different spots in the room changed the sound drastically

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The Diablo's have more detail on tap but remain smooth and realistic, with the midrange being leaner but cleaner than the Fleetwood Deville SQ
  • The Diablo will offer everything the Sonus Faber Sopra 1 does—and even more

Takeaway: The Focal Diablo Utopia Color Evo speakers are transparent and reveal details in music with incredible imaging, making for a fun listening experience. To hear all the nuances in music, these speakers could be a great choice.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Bowers & Wilkins
805 D4
9500
/
Released
2021
Little Diamond 805 D4 might be smaller than its tower speaker siblings, but it's no lightweight: its beautifully constructed Reverse-Wrap cabinet, stiff aluminum bass pods and 165mm (6.5-in) Continuum™ mid-bass cone afford it exceptional bass extension and scale for a relatively compact speaker.
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Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  •   Excellent build quality, featuring a blend of aluminum, leather, and wood veneer, or gloss paint.
  •   Detailed sound with excellent stereo imagery.
  •   Good detail and clarity.
  •   Wide and deep soundstage.
  •   Design features contribute to cabinet rigidity and reduced coloration.

Product Considerations

  •   May sound bright with the wrong amplifier or cables.
  •   May require a high-power solid-state amp.
  •   Needs quality amplification and may sound soft if underpowered.
  •   Requires stands, adding to the overall cost.
  •   Bass may not satisfy those seeking high-output bass without a subwoofer.

Takeaway: The 805 D4 is an excellent speaker that is beautifully built and delivers a detailed and engaging sound. It's a great option for those seeking a premium listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Gershman
Studio II
5500
/
Released
Gershman Studio II Delivers performance beyond what is typically associated with its price.
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Gershman Acoustics speakers use Back-wave Control Technology and bass trap designs to deliver deep, controlled bass from compact enclosures, defying expectations about speaker size and performance. Their unique cabinet designs, including truncated pyramid shapes and resonance control devices, help create an intimate, club-like listening experience with exceptional clarity and precision.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Full-range sound, impressive bass response, and the ability to pressurize a room, often negating the need for a separate subwoofer
  • Smooth, warm, and coherent midrange provides natural and engaging vocals and instruments for long listening sessions without fatigue
  • Well-extended treble presents in a naturally smooth, enjoyable, and pleasing manner
  • Excellent imaging and soundstage capabilities create a realistic and immersive listening experience
  • Sound reproduction makes it a speaker that one can live with
  • Connectivity options are available

Product Considerations

  • Quality amplification with sufficient power and current is required to achieve optimal performance and control the woofer effectively
  • The backplate for bass adjustment uses wood screws, making it easy to strip if not handled carefully
  • Placement and setup, especially stand height and toe-in, are crucial for achieving the best high-frequency response, it can sound dull if not optimized
  • May not be ideal for listeners who prefer a brighter, more forward sound signature or those who prioritize extreme loudness levels
  • Grilles may cause micro-rattling at moderate to loud listening levels due to weaker magnets

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Totem Acoustic Manny 2 Signature: The Studio 2 has a more forgiving presentation, denser midrange, and stronger bass
  • Vs Klipsch Forte 3: The Studio 2 offers a more natural tone, especially in the midrange and upper bass, along with greater soundstage depth
  • Vs Vienna Acoustics Mozart Symphony Editions: The Studio 2 beats them in bass and midrange
  • Vs Harbeth (SHL5 and Compact 7 XTs): The Studio 2 cannot be matched by the Harbeth's articulate bass response
  • Vs Celestion SL6-S: The Studio 2 has deeper roots in the trunk, and they got high branches and leaves, but they don't go all the way up to the highest branches and leaves at the tippy top

Takeaway:

The Studio 2 is a well-built bookshelf speaker that delivers a smooth, full-range sound with surprising bass and clear imaging, making for an engaging listening experience. With the right setup and quality components, these speakers can provide years of musical enjoyment in a variety of room sizes.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Gershman Acoustics speakers use Back-wave Control Technology and bass trap designs to deliver deep, controlled bass from compact enclosures, defying expectations about speaker size and performance. Their unique cabinet designs, including truncated pyramid shapes and resonance control devices, help create an intimate, club-like listening experience with exceptional clarity and precision.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Dynaudio
Focus 10
5500
/
Released
2022
Focus 10 is more than just a pair of active loudspeakers. It's a complete music system, packed from top to bottom with the technology that's taken Dynaudio to legendary status – allied with the most cutting-edge wireless features we could think of. And we thought of a lot.
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Dynaudio is a hifi speaker brand known for its unique external voice-coil construction, which allows for larger voice coils that improve thermal power handling and reduce thermal compression. The brand has a heritage in professional sound production and uses advanced materials like the Esotar 40 tweeter and rare 240mm drivers to deliver superior dynamic realism and headroom.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Integrated technology allows direct high-resolution listening without extra devices
  • The speaker uses the same Pascal Class D amplification and processing technology from Dynaudio's Pro line Core series
  • Discrete amplification channel per driver: 110 watts for the tweeter and 280 watts for the woofer
  • Dirac Live room correction is available, which can tune some of the annoying sounds of a garage, for example, using the soft dome tweeter

Product Considerations

  • Running a digital coaxial cable from one speaker to the next results in the signal being sent at 24-96 kilohertz, which is a lower quality than what the master speaker receives (24-192)
  • There is no HDMI arc or e-arc connection
  • Drilling holes may be required to attach the speaker to stands
  • Setting up the speaker with the app is not as quick or seamless as Bluesound
  • A microphone is required to do Dirac room calibration

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs PSB Alpha IQs: Plays louder with a higher level of amplification
  • Vs Dynaudio Core 7: The Core 7 has more power and a slightly better tweeter and woofer, but is not as aesthetically pleasing and needs a Bluesound Node
  • Vs Dynaudio Evoke: It is similar to an Evoke speaker, but with a bigger woofer

Takeaway: The Focus recMsY5ljWopDD7UU is a sophisticated wireless speaker that pulls technology from Dynaudio's Pro line and features Dirac room calibration. It is ideal for someone looking for high-resolution listening without extra devices and who values sophisticated sound and aesthetics.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Dynaudio is a hifi speaker brand known for its unique external voice-coil construction, which allows for larger voice coils that improve thermal power handling and reduce thermal compression. The brand has a heritage in professional sound production and uses advanced materials like the Esotar 40 tweeter and rare 240mm drivers to deliver superior dynamic realism and headroom.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
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Arendal Sound
1528 Monitor 8
5900
/
Released
2024
1528 Monitor 8 Generating a powerful sound in a (slightly) less imposing form factor than 1528 Towers, 1528 Monitors deliver a clarity and depth that outshines many floor-standing speakers. Feel every detail with stunning precision, deep bass, and a rich, immersive soundstage. Sleek, modern design and versatile settings ensure perfect sound tailored to your environment. Enjoy full-range sound without needing a subwoofer.
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Arendal Sound is a Norwegian-designed hifi brand whose 1723 series is THX Ultra certified for rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet, featuring cabinets made from high-density fiberboard instead of standard MDF for better sonic performance. Their speakers use a distinctive waveguide-loaded tweeter design for controlled dispersion and lower crossover points, while their subwoofers feature the Avalanche 1200 IQ amplifier with an LCD control interface.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • Exceptionally well-built, described as monolithic and like concrete bricks
  • The tweeter provides detailed highs, comparable to a good AMT tweeter, and performs effortlessly even at high volumes
  • The midrange is special, with a carbon graphene construction for well-behaved out-of-band performance and high output
  • The speaker's design allows for significant room gain, providing real bass extension below 20 Hz
  • Immense potential, described to be a top shelf product

Product Considerations

  • The image was a little high
  • The speakers want power from a good amplifier to really open up
  • The listener might not always be as emotionally convinced by the result as they perhaps should have been
  • The speakers are large and may be obtrusive for most UK spaces

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • vs Paradigm Founder 120Hs: Similar to the Paradigm Founder 120Hs, which have active jumpers
  • vs RBH SVTRs: The reviewer loves the RBH SVTRs, and these new speakers are being tested to see if they can be a game changer in the industry
  • vs Spendor Classic 3-1: Arendal 1528 is neutral from top to bottom, while Spendor is warm from top to bottom
  • vs Cabasse Morano: Cabasse Morano has some coloration, but the Arendal 1528 is dead neutral

Takeaway:

The Arundel Sound 1528 recMsY5ljWopDD7UU speakers are incredibly well-built with high-quality components that deliver an excellent listening experience. They are capable of filling large rooms with detailed sound and powerful bass.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Arendal Sound is a Norwegian-designed hifi brand whose 1723 series is THX Ultra certified for rooms up to 3,000 cubic feet, featuring cabinets made from high-density fiberboard instead of standard MDF for better sonic performance. Their speakers use a distinctive waveguide-loaded tweeter design for controlled dispersion and lower crossover points, while their subwoofers feature the Avalanche 1200 IQ amplifier with an LCD control interface.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
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Triangle
Magellan Duetto 40th
6250
/
Released
2022
Liveliness and dynamics are trademarks of TRIANGLE's sound, and they are packed into this gem, the Duetto, a compact 2-way bookshelf speaker. Superb piece of engineering, its horn-loaded tweeter TZ2900 is equipped with a next generation dome in magnesium alloy.
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Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Expand Details

Our Summary

Product Strengths

  • The Magellan line represents Triangle's 'all out, cost no object designs'—making these speakers among the best the brand makes
  • The tweeter provides an accurate, smooth, and fluid musical quality, highlighting fine details and upper harmonics
  • The midrange/bass driver delivers firm and dynamic bass frequencies while maintaining clarity and finesse in the vocal register
  • They offer fantastic clarity and an open sound, making listening to music an exciting experience—allowing listeners to soak it all in
  • The speaker creates a wide sweet spot great for listening with more than one person

Product Considerations

  • The speakers can sound overly bright, hard-edged, and forward if not properly run-in, requiring a break-in period before critical listening
  • They need careful partnering with electronics to avoid an overly bright sound, as they aren't particularly forgiving of aggressive recordings or brighter-sounding equipment
  • The bass may sound weak in a large room, so Triangle suggests a small to medium room for these speakers
  • The packaging may not be sufficient, as the speakers are heavy and shipped in one box, potentially damaging the packing materials
  • Siting can be critical, with placement affecting the bass quality—positioning them too close to the rear wall can negatively impact the bass

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Børresen X1: The Triangle Magellan Duetto has a more open and airy sound, whereas the X1 has a more bass-centric sound
  • Vs Daniel Hertz Ambers and Focal Diablo: The Triangle Magellan Duetto offers more musical information

Takeaway: The Triangle Magellan Duetto is a high-end bookshelf speaker known for its clarity, detail, and engaging sound. Beautifully crafted, they are a great way to enjoy music if a detailed and lively sound is desired.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Triangle is a French speaker manufacturer known for its bright, lively sound and distinctive tweeter designs that use horn-loaded tweeters to enhance high-frequency detail.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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