Short answer: the TAD Evolution 2. Both are rated 4.4/5 for sound quality (#44 and #60 of 226 floorstanding speakers), and the TAD Evolution 2 costs $19,995 against $39,999.98 for the Paradigm Persona 9H, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
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 TAD Evolution 2 does well: Independently measured by ASR (not vendor-supplied data) with an excellent on-axis smoothness score of 0.182 and a nearly flat tonal balance (a slope of just -0.01dB per octave), from a beryllium tweeter on a cast-aluminum waveguide paired with dual MACC-diaphragm woofers. Watch for: Its directivity-index standard deviation of 3.70 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.25 are both unremarkable, not matching the excellent on-axis smoothness, and it’s priced at $19995/pair, sold only through a small dealer network, with one dealer showing it temporarily sold out.
Buy the TAD Evolution 2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $20,004.98 less than the Paradigm Persona 9H.
About the ratings: the Paradigm Persona 9H’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 4.0 to 4.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Paradigm Persona 9H | TAD Evolution 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,999.98 per pair | $19,995 per pair |
| Ranked | #60 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #44 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers |
| Drivers | 1x 1” beryllium dome tweeter, 1x 7” beryllium midrange, 4x 8.5” X-PAL woofers | 1” beryllium dome tweeter (cast-aluminum waveguide), 2x 6.5” MACC-diaphragm woofers |
| Sensitivity | 96dB room / 93dB anechoic (manufacturer specified) | 87dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Impedance | 8 ohms compatible (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal, 4.5 ohms minimum |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 45kHz (±2dB on-axis, manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 15Hz (DIN, manufacturer specified) | 58.6Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Dimensions | 52”H x 11.8”W x 20.5”D (1320 x 300 x 520 mm) | 12.6”W x 42.7”H x 15.9”D (320 x 1085 x 405 mm) (1113mm tall with spikes) |
| Weight | 189.6 lbs (86 kg) | 70.5 lbs (32 kg) each |
| Enclosure | Hybrid, active bass with acoustic suspension | 2.5-way, bass-reflex, SILENT laminated cabinet |
| Country | - | Japan |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 5.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.96 |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 30.3Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| DIY Kit | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How TAD Evolution 2 compares with other leading options:
- KEF Reference 3 Meta vs TAD Evolution 2
- TAD Evolution 2 vs Arendal Sound 1610 Tower 8
- Magico A5 vs TAD Evolution 2
- Perlisten S7t vs Paradigm Persona 9H
- Paradigm Persona 9H 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
TAD Evolution 2: $19,995 per pair House of Stereo eBay
Pros: Independently measured by ASR (not vendor-supplied data) with an excellent on-axis smoothness score of 0.182 and a nearly flat tonal balance (a slope of just -0.01dB per octave), from a beryllium tweeter on a cast-aluminum waveguide paired with dual MACC-diaphragm woofers. Alpha Audio’s review called it a “competition killer.”. Measured bass extension of 58.6Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Its directivity-index standard deviation of 3.70 and predicted in-room smoothness of 0.25 are both unremarkable, not matching the excellent on-axis smoothness, and it’s priced at $19995/pair, sold only through a small dealer network, with one dealer showing it temporarily sold out.
Full TAD Evolution 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 30.3Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, ASR via spinorama.org) |
| Country | Japan |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6”W x 42.7”H x 15.9”D (320 x 1085 x 405 mm) (1113mm tall with spikes) |
| Drivers | 1” beryllium dome tweeter (cast-aluminum waveguide), 2x 6.5” MACC-diaphragm woofers |
| Enclosure | 2.5-way, bass-reflex, SILENT laminated cabinet |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 4.5 ohms minimum |
| Sensitivity | 87dB @ 2.83V/1m |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.96 |
| Weight | 70.5 lbs (32 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons