Short answer: the Paradigm Persona 9H. It ranks #60 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.4/5, at $39,999.98. The PS Audio Aspen FR20 ranks #111, rated 4.2/5, at $22,999, $17,000.98 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The case for the Paradigm Persona 9H: The Persona flagship, whose four 8.5” woofers have built-in amplification and Anthem Room Correction while the beryllium midrange and tweeter run passively, rated to 15Hz. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
What the PS Audio Aspen FR20 does well: A larger PS Audio Aspen FR10 with a 10” planar magnetic midrange, a planar tweeter, two 8” woofers and two 10” passive radiators. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers.
Buy the Paradigm Persona 9H. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $17,000.98 you would save on the PS Audio Aspen FR20 does not close the gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Paradigm Persona 9H 4.0 to 4.8; PS Audio Aspen FR20 3.8 to 4.6). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Paradigm Persona 9H | PS Audio Aspen FR20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,999.98 per pair | $22,999 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #111 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 1x 1” beryllium dome tweeter, 1x 7” beryllium midrange, 4x 8.5” X-PAL woofers | 1x 2.5” planar magnetic tweeter, 1x 10” planar magnetic midrange, 2x 8” woofers, 2x 10” passive radiators |
| Sensitivity | 96dB room / 93dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 87dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms compatible (manufacturer specified) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 45kHz (±2dB on-axis, manufacturer specified) | 23Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, half space, manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 15Hz (DIN, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Dimensions | 52”H x 11.8”W x 20.5”D (1320 x 300 x 520 mm) | 50.5”H x 16”W x 18.7”D (1283 x 406 x 476 mm) |
| Weight | 189.6 lbs (86 kg) | 132.9 lbs (60.3 kg) each |
| Enclosure | Hybrid, active bass with acoustic suspension | - |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50-300W recommended |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Paradigm Persona 9H:
- Perlisten S7t vs Paradigm Persona 9H
- Paradigm Persona 9H vs TAD Evolution 2
- Paradigm Persona 7F vs Paradigm Persona 9H
- Magico A5 vs PS Audio Aspen FR20
- Perlisten S7t vs PS Audio Aspen FR20
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Paradigm Persona 9H: $39,999.98 per pair Estimated Paradigm eBay
Same family: the Paradigm Persona B (bookshelf, estimated 4.1/5), the Paradigm Persona 3F (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4.2/5), the Paradigm Persona 5F (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 4.3/5), the Paradigm Persona 7F (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.4/5), the Paradigm Persona C (center, estimated 4.2/5) and the Paradigm Persona SUB (subwoofer, estimated 4.2/5).
Pros: The Persona flagship, whose four 8.5” woofers have built-in amplification and Anthem Room Correction while the beryllium midrange and tweeter run passively, rated to 15Hz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. At 86 kg each it needs a large room, and the powered bass section needs mains power at each speaker.
Full Paradigm Persona 9H review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 15Hz (DIN, manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 52”H x 11.8”W x 20.5”D (1320 x 300 x 520 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 1” beryllium dome tweeter, 1x 7” beryllium midrange, 4x 8.5” X-PAL woofers |
| Enclosure | Hybrid, active bass with acoustic suspension |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 45kHz (±2dB on-axis, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms compatible (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 96dB room / 93dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 189.6 lbs (86 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
PS Audio Aspen FR20: $22,999 per pair Estimated PS Audio eBay
Same family: the PS Audio Aspen FR5 (bookshelf, rated 3.7/5), the PS Audio Aspen FR10 (smaller floorstanding, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5) and the PS Audio Aspen FR30 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 4.3/5).
Pros: A larger PS Audio Aspen FR10 with a 10” planar magnetic midrange, a planar tweeter, two 8” woofers and two 10” passive radiators. Hi-Fi News measured low distortion and bass to 32Hz (-6dB).
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared with ranked speakers. Hi-Fi News measured a loose pair match of ±5.1dB, and at 60.3 kg each it is heavy.
Full PS Audio Aspen FR20 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2022 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50-300W recommended |
| Dimensions | 50.5”H x 16”W x 18.7”D (1283 x 406 x 476 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5” planar magnetic tweeter, 1x 10” planar magnetic midrange, 2x 8” woofers, 2x 10” passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 23Hz - 20kHz (-6dB, half space, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 87dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 132.9 lbs (60.3 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons