Speakers under $50k that rival $200k+ speakers?

Nice mention of the Yamaha NS 5000. 

Tomorrow, my dad, who resides in Canada, is going to be my proxy ears and demo and compare the Paradigm Persona 3F and Yamaha NS 5000 with the Anthem STR preamp and an unknown amp (maybe Anthem STR). The Yamaha is not available in the USA where I am located but I can get it from Canada.

Interestingly, someone on another audio forum compared the 3F and NS 5000 at the store my dad will visit and stated a preference for the 3F. Really the first negative thing I have read about the NS 5000.

To the OP’s question, the KEF Blade mentioned previously is an awesome speaker if you have the space.

@jtgofish Comments like yours are why I have been keeping the NS 5000 flame burning instead of just buying the Persona 3F. I have auditioned the 3F and liked it. The Anthem STR pre is something I would HAVE to consider using if I went with the NS 5000. I would need DSP to shoehorn in the Yamaha into my small office space. I am looking at the Luxman m900u amp for whatever speaker I get and that amp is reference caliber great.

Thanks for your private comments to me on the NS 5000 maybe 6 months ago. The wheels have been turning since then to figure out a way listen to them. Should be exciting tomorrow to hear my dads feedback on the 3F and NS 5000 comparison.

I have gone up the Persona line to the 5F. That speaker plays bigger than the 3F but I of course want something for a smaller space. I heard that with a very good SimAudio 860A amp.

I have another huge room downstairs that is currently my toddler's play area. Once he is a bit bigger and I can take over that space I am looking at the Persona 9H or a KEF Blade to put there. I would not get the 9H if I get the 3F for my small office space upstairs. 

My understanding is that the Persona mid and top are very similar in the lineup. The bass is the biggest factor going up the lineup. I have heard the KEF Blade tons and I love that speaker. I think the Persona and the KEF give good value for the money. It does not hurt that I love the sound of both.

I recently contacted the distributor of Vimberg speakers to have a listen to why it is getting all the great feedback. In the future, I am looking to do something similar to you with a $50K and under speaker.

@smodtactical I get the impression you are in Canada. If you around Toronto you may want to have a listen to the Vimberg at Wynn Audio. They are a distributor but have opened up a listening room for high end speakers.

http://wynnaudio.com/contact/

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2016/11/wynn-audios-grand-opening-in-toronto.html

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/106-uncategorized/854-jeff-buys-loudspeakers-the-vimberg-tondas

From the review above

I also toyed with the ideas of the Bowers & Wilkins 800 D3 and the Paradigm Persona 7F, though I’d place those models a fair bit behind the other three.

If you do how about posting your impressions on the Vimberg.

BTW Kennedy Hi-fi in Toronto put together the Persona 9H system for one of the TAVES shows. They also have the Yamaha NS 5000 for demo.

BTW 2 - One could argue that the design of the Persona Line originates from the Yamaha NS 1000 from the year 1976. The NS 5000 is the successor to the NS 1000 and uses new driver material.

I just heard back from my dad after he did the Persona 3F vs Yamaha NS 5000 shootout today in Toronto. The electronics used were actually the new Yamaha gear (likely top of the line ones). My dad and a family friend who went were both unanimous in their praise of the Yamaha over the Persona 3F. My dad also thinks the Yamaha would fit into my room without DSP but I think DSP is needed for that woofer.

The words my dad used to describe the Yamaha were similar to what reviewers have been saying. Incredible mid-range, very coherent sound, and the feeling of listening to a live performance. The Persona 3F was also very good in these qualities and why I had them as the speaker to buy. However, now, I think I will go with my dads opinion on this and buy the Yamaha, unseen or unheard by me.

You may want to have somwhat interest in the KEF BLADE. I have heard 5 of your somewhat interest speakers and I would take the BLADE over those.

@smodtactical I heard a few TAD speakers and liked them but the price seemed a little too high relative to the competitors such as KEF.  At the store where I went and demoed the TAD ME1 (in Los Angeles) there was a TAD R1 MKII demo on sale. It was in NEW condition.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9dff4-tad-r1-mk2-full-range

If you are going to spend this much cash on speakers you should spend a few days in a big city such as LA and listen to everything on your list in one shot. Spend a week, it won't cost too much relative to the amount you want to spend on speakers.