AXPONA 2018 Show Report -- Audio Expo North America

Paradigm To Demonstrate Persona, Prestige, And Décor Speakers
Plus Anthem STR And MRX Electronics At AXPONA 2018

   Paradigm and Anthem are proud to announce that award-winning Persona, Prestige, and Décor loudspeakers and Anthem STR and MRX electronics will be available for demonstration for three days during the Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2018, which runs from April 13 to 15, 2018. AXPONA is the largest high-end audio show in North America. The three-day experience features multiple hotel floors packed with listening rooms.

Paradigm Persona 7F / Anthem STR Preamplifier and Power Amplifier / Audio Video Interiors of Chicago (Room 2 - Prosperity)
Paradigm's Persona line has been praised by reviewers and audiophiles alike. The flagship Persona 9H received a 2017 CES Innovation Award, as well as a Golden Ear Award 2017 from The Absolute Sound. Developed over five years, this flagship lineup, entirely designed, engineered, and Crafted in Canada, provides an unprecedented level of realism and transparency. One of the keys to Persona is the use of Beryllium, the absolute best diaphragm material, typically found only in speakers costing considerably more. Specifically formulated to be exponentially stiffer and significantly lighter than other premium diaphragm materials, beryllium enables superior transient response and virtual transparency, with low audible coloration.

Paradigm's Persona 7F loudspeaker is a passive design that is patterned after the performance and appearance of Persona 9H. Persona 7F delivers unprecedented transparency at lifelike performance levels thanks to its Truextent® Beryllium tweeter and mid-range driver system and Dual 8.5” Ultra- High-Excursion Differential Drive woofers.

The Anthem STR Preamplifier is based on an entirely new platform of advanced technology. Packed with functions such as leading-edge DAC, onboard Anthem Room Correction (ARC), customizable bass manager for mono or stereo sub outs, MM and MC phono inputs, the STR Preamplifier offers far more than the average preamplifier.

The STR Power Amplifier delivers massive power generation, audiophile-quality output, super-efficient performance, and cutting edge digital and analog technology in a smartly designed component. The STR Power Amplifier doles out 400 Watts/channel into 8 Ohms with both channels driven (450W single channel), a massive 600 Watts/channel into 4 Ohms (both channels driven) and 800W in 2 Ohms for true no-holds-barred performance.

Audio Video Interiors of Chicago will be using the Paradigm Persona 5F ($8,500/each US retail) with an Anthem STR Preamplifier ($3,999/each US retail) and STR Power Amplifier ($5,999/each US retail). Music will be provided using an Aurender A10 music server. Cabling throughout the system includes Audioquest.

Paradigm Persona B, Prestige 85F, and Prestige SW1000 Subwoofer / Saturday Audio Exchange (Room 306)
The Paradigm Persona B bookshelf/stand-mount loudspeaker delivers the full performance benefits of Beryllium drivers. It is the only loudspeaker in its class that features the tandem Truextent Beryllium tweeter and mid-range driver system, delivering remarkable transient response, surprising low-end extension, seamless blending and breathtaking transparency.

Paradigm's Prestige 85F floorstanding speakers utilize 2.5-way crossover technology to greatly improve off-axis performance (for listeners not positioned directly in front of the sweet spot) and boost deep bass dynamics. This leap in acoustic performance is based in utilizing all three woofers at low frequencies, while the bass/midrange covers voice and musical instruments without the necessity of "crossing over" to the dedicated midrange.

Saturday Audio Exchange will be using the Paradigm Persona B ($3,500/each US retail) and Prestige 85F ($1,999/each US retail) speakers and Prestige SW1000 ($2,999/each US retail) subwoofer with electronics from NAD. Music will be provided using NAD BluOS and Roon. Cabling throughout the system includes Audioquest.

Paradigm Décor and Seismic 110 Subwoofer / Anthem MRX 520 Receiver / Kole Digital Systems (Expo Hall)
Paradigm Décor Custom Collection custom-length, build-to-order speakers offer a sleek and seamless installation with flat-panel TVs for a completely tailored look, but with Paradigm high-performance sound. Décor speakers are Custom Crafted in Canada and ship to customers in only three days from ordering. Décor speakers are available in both horizontal / sound bar and side-mounted / vertical configurations, with up to three audio channels in a single enclosure. Speakers can be combined to create a slim, elegant, high performance audio system that is customized to the exact height and length of any wall-mounted, flat panel television.

The Anthem MRX 520 includes five channels of amplification, 5.1-channel processing and a rear panel input complement of seven rear HDMI inputs (including one with MHL support), three optical, two coaxial, and five stereo analog inputs. It has two parallel HDMI outputs, (including one with Audio Return Channel). MRX receivers include support for the latest UHD video formats. For Hi-Res Audio enthusiasts there are premium-quality differential-output D/A converters with 32-bit conversion and sampling rate-optimized filters.

Kole Digital will be using the Paradigm Décor speakers (starting at $1,499/each US retail) and MilleniaSub subwoofer ($1,399/each US retail) with an Anthem MRX 520 receiver ($1,399/each US retail). Cabling throughout the system includes Tributaries Series 8.

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