Paradigm Persona 5F (pack of 2)

The Persona 5F stands out for its use of beryllium in both the tweeter and the midrange driver—a rare approach that ensures exceptional tonal coherence. With its high sensitivity and sophisticated construction incorporating the brand’s latest technological innovations, the Persona 5F is aimed at discerning audiophiles seeking surgically precise sound reproduction in a meticulously designed contemporary enclosure.

Cutting-Edge Technologies and Innovations

The Persona 5F features several proprietary technologies developed by Paradigm in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada. The PPA (Perforated Phase-Aligning) lens system is one of the most remarkable innovations. These perforated metal grilles not only protect the fragile beryllium drivers, but also act as sophisticated waveguides. The graduated perforation, with larger holes at the edges narrowing toward the center, controls the dispersion of different frequencies and prevents destructive interference between the central and peripheral areas of the cones.

The SHOCK-MOUNT isolated mounting is another significant advancement. This technology isolates each driver from the front baffle, greatly reducing the transmission of unwanted vibrations to the cabinet. This approach results in purer sound reproduction, especially beneficial for the mid and high frequencies where even the slightest coloration is audible.

FEA (Finite Element Analysis) optimization of the pole pieces demonstrates Paradigm’s scientific approach. This finite element calculation method optimizes the geometry of the magnets and pole pieces to achieve a perfectly uniform magnetic field, ensuring linear response and minimal distortion.

Refined Construction and Design

The Persona 5F’s cabinet is the result of a sophisticated manufacturing process using seven layers of HDF (High Density Fiberboard) bonded under high pressure. This multi-layer construction, reinforced by the use of radio frequencies to accelerate the curing process, ensures exceptional rigidity while controlling unwanted resonances.

The bass-reflex architecture takes an original approach with a downward-firing port that opens into the space created between the cabinet and the metal base. This configuration allows for placement closer to rear walls while maintaining the efficiency of the bass-reflex tuning. The integrated metal base, beyond its aesthetic role, contributes to the stability of the unit despite the speaker’s 43 kg weight.

The available finishes reflect particular attention to integration with contemporary interiors. The glossy Vanta Black and Harmony White versions offer understated elegance, while the metallic Aria Blue and Sonic Silver finishes provide a more distinctive touch. The driver cones and metal hardware are coordinated with the finishes for perfect visual harmony.

Sound Performance and Acoustic Character

The Persona 5F’s sonic signature is defined by remarkable neutrality and exceptional analytical capability. The beryllium midrange delivers surgically precise reproduction, revealing the subtlest nuances in recordings. This analytical quality can sometimes seem overly detailed on certain recordings, but it is a major asset for audiophiles seeking the truth of the recording.

The highs, also made of beryllium, extend impressively up to 45 kHz with surprising smoothness, considering beryllium’s sometimes “metallic” reputation. The tweeter benefits from ferrofluid cooling, which stabilizes its performance even at high power, preventing dynamic compression.

The bass section, handled by three pure aluminum X-PAL woofers, favors precision and speed over sheer impact. This approach ensures excellent timing coherence with the upper registers, especially appreciated in acoustic and jazz music. Extension down to 23 Hz covers the essential musical spectrum without necessarily requiring the addition of a subwoofer.

Amplification and Compatibility

The high sensitivity of 93 dB is one of the Persona 5F’s major strengths. This feature, rare in this category, opens up a wide range of amplification possibilities. A 50-watt amplifier can deliver the same sound level as a 200-watt amplifier on a conventional 87 dB sensitivity speaker.

This flexibility allows for the use of tube amplifiers, low-power Class A electronics, or high-quality transistor amplifiers without worrying about power reserves. The recommended amplification range of 15 to 500 watts attests to this exceptional versatility.

The dual set of terminals allows for bi-amplification, a particularly interesting technique with this speaker. This configuration enables the use of different amplifiers for the bass and for the mid/high frequencies, optimizing the performance of each section. The supplied nickel-plated bridging plate also allows for classic single-amplification use.

Technical Specifications

Acoustic Design

• Type: bass-reflex column, 3-way, 5 drivers
• Crossover:
  • 3rd order at 2.4 kHz (tweeter / midrange)
  • 3rd order at 450 Hz

Drivers and Technologies

• High Frequency
  • Truextent beryllium tweeter (2.5 cm)
  • Ferrofluid damping / cooling
  • PPA phase lens
  • FEA-optimized design
• Midrange
  • Truextent beryllium driver (17.8 cm)
  • Inverse differential drive neodymium motor
  • PPA phase lens
  • SHOCK-MOUNT isolated mounting
  • High-temperature voice coil (3.8 cm)
• Bass
  • 3 X-PAL high-excursion drivers (17.8 cm)
  • ART surrounds
  • SHOCK-MOUNT isolated mounting
  • Tandem high-temperature voice coil (3.8 cm)

Frequency Response

• On-axis: 45 Hz – 45 kHz (±2 dB)
• 30° off-axis: 45 Hz – 20 kHz (±2 dB)
• Bass extension: down to 23 Hz

Electrical Specifications

• Sensitivity:
  • In-room: 93 dB
  • Anechoic chamber: 90 dB
• Recommended amplification: 15 – 500 W
• Max power: 300 W
• Impedance: 8 ohms compatible

Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions (H × W × D): 118.5 × 24.1 × 42.7 cm
• Weight: 43 kg

Available Finishes

• Gloss: Vanta Black, Harmony White
• Gloss Metallic: Aria Blue, Sonic Silver