Paradigm Persona 3 vs 5 vs Monitor Audio


I just spent a couple of hours comparing the Paradigm Persona 3 and 5. The 3 sounded very good and I was sceptical about whether the 5, for one additional speaker, was really worth 70% more. I expected it to be very similar to the 3 with some added bass. After hearing the 5, I think it offers more than the additional bass. As good as the 3 sounded, the 5 had added depth and realism, even on music without that much bass. I listened to St. Saens 3rd Symphony and Beethoven’s 7th (2nd movement) to hear the bass and Eva Cassidy, Cecilia Bartoli and Brahms Piano Trio #1 for other characteristics.

The 3 is well priced compared the competition and certainly is a good choice. If you can afford the extra $7000, the 5 is definitely better--to me worth the significant price differential.

 To complicate my choice, we then visited another dealer to hear the Monitor Audio pl300ii and it’s an excellent speaker too if you like what I do--wide soundstage, good imaging, realistic rendition of individual instruments. It’s not an easy decision between the Paradigm 5 and the Monitor. To confuse myself further, I’m going tomorrow to hear the third speaker on my short list--the KEF Reference 3 which I’ve liked in prior hearings. I hope to make a decision after that.



brownsf
Just heard the KEF 3 again.  Again I liked the wide soundstage, the tight bass, the positioning of solo instruments, the fact that the speakers disappeared and the sound seemed to be coming from a wide stage a couple of feet behind the speakers.  
But...my wife, who has better hearing than me, felt that the KEFs were harsh at times and that violins in particular didn't sound natural. I noticed these things too.  Help!! Someone tell me what to do with the three speakers on my short list--KEF Reference 3, Monitor Audio PL300ii and paradigm Persona 5 (just kidding).  I'm not sure what to do next but, at the risk of wearing out my welcome at the store, I may go back to hear  the Persona 5's one more time.  

I've heard all extensively, and I'd say Persona for sure. 

There is something special about having the exact same material mid and tweeter as on the personas.  Once you spend a lot of time with them, you start to realize how much of an advantage that is.  It's hard to appreciate with short auditions.
Anyone compared the Persona 3F against the ELAC Adante AF-61 or the Revel f208be?  I'll likely purchase one of these if 100 tube watts is a good match.