Which one? Paradigm persona 3f, Revel Studio2, Audiosolution Figaro L, Goldenear reference


Guys, I am new here and have been following many topics here. I am like an audio enthusiast (not a audiophile by any means) and just did my 2 channel stereo with B&W 702 S2 with Naim Unity atom: It is also connected to TV via optical cable in living room. They sound very good overall and am happy with it.
Now, I am planning to complete a home theater in basement: I am considering 2 options.
1. Either using my B&W 702 S2 as part of 7.1.4 set up in basement and get a new 2 channel stereo.
2. Keeping the current set up in living room and buy a separate set of speakers in basement for 2 channel stereo for music and L/R for home theater.
I went to audition B&W 802 D3 and 803 D3 at Houston, while I was on business trip. At the same place, I auditioned Audiosolutions Figaro L and XL. Those speakers sound "amazing". The sound stage, bass were excellent. The mid were very good. The highs were not as good as B&W, but very close. I have selected them over B&W 8 series above. I am close to get Figaro L. But, have heard a lot of reviews on paradigm persona 3f, revel studio2 and goldener reference (somewhat within the price range, I am willing to pay). Has anybody had to make decision with similar speakers. Any body with expereince with above speakers ?, especially audiosolutions. I will soon go for audition of paradigm, revel studio2 and f228be. Hard to find a goldenear dealer for audition close to Indianapolis. Is there any other speakers in this price range (10-13), that is worth ?. I did audition Focal soprano N2 and very good overall. Still in the list of probables.
I had auditioned Dynaudio contour 60. Not my taste. 
romney80

Showing 4 responses by steve59

The tweeter in the studio is great and that speaker is supposed to be easier to drive than the salon2. I owned a few revels and for some reason prefer the earlier models to the f22-be? The sopra 2 and persona 3f would probably sound more different than alike the persona more tight, unfortunately less forgiving too. My room can seriously effect the sound of a speaker and what sounds good here may sound like crap at your house, so get a home demo of something After hearing it at a shop so you have an idea of your rooms influences. Have fun 
When I built a system to a price around 2000-02, around $10k total I bought the Krell kav300il first then patiently visiting all the local shops, 5 I think I brought home 2 pair at a time from Saturday til Monday and it was really helpful. I had to provide a CC and some shops swiped some didn’t , but I was up front that they were coming back if I wasn’t blown away and all the speakers I brought home were floor demos. $4k was the most I wanted to spend on speakers, aerial, paradigm, Dynaudio, Vienna Acoustics and the infinity compositions. Each speaker excelled at something, but the Vienna Acoustics were the most natural and involving of all to me with Dynaudio’s dynamic bass making it a tough decision 
I had the Salon2 but my little 250/425 wpc int couldn’t really get them woofers woofin. I just went through a bunch of speakers in the salon2 price range and they were all really good, but you’re going to have to decide what is the most important cause none of them excel at everything and, unfortunately many ‘hi end’ speakers fall flat once you get them home and plug them into your old components. 
Listened to the persona's with a pathos integrated driving them and really recommend anyone curious about either piece to listen to them together.