Vivid Audio alternatives

@kenjit

If sound quality is not infinitely more important than looks you are not an audiophile.

Thank you. I resemble that remark.

@gabbabe The Yamaha NS5000 does not sound like a Vivid, but I think is just as good. Do some research on it or PM me and I can pass along some info. I demoed the following speakers before deciding on the Yamaha.

Magico A3
TAD ME1
KEF Reference 1
Paradigm Persona 3F and 5F
Vandersteen Treo CT
Vivid Kaya 90

All of the above were excellent, look nice, and I would have been happy with any of them. All of these speaker manufacturers make their own drivers, which I like. The Yamaha just seemed a bit better for very long hours of daily listening in my home office. It is also the most life like speaker I have heard. The 3 drivers being of the same material could be the cause of that.

Vivid is a tough one because their products are so unique.  Fiberglass cabinets (which matters) and custom drivers that are designed for optimal interaction.  You might look at Wilson Benesch, Marten and Rockport.

How big of a speaker are you looking for?  Are you looking for monitors or larger floor-standers?  I produce composite cabinet speakers (fiberglass or carbon fiber) that are smallish monitors with a pretty good WAF.   I don't claim to be quite in the same league as Vivid, but I think mine are pretty good.  They are the Verdant Audio Nightshade and Blackthorn.  

I'v heard Vivid speaker and the best I've ever heard. They sound way different than KEF ref and Dynaudio and other many high end stuff.

Maybe you should try TAD speakers or paradigm persona , I didn't heard any but it seems close to vivid than other brands.

@tantejuut thanks. Will get to check out estelon YB;  though whilst 
@kenjit @yyzsantabarbara sound quality is important, but also is what gets allowed at home... the restrictions I have to live in!  
@yyzsantabarbara thanks for the list;  I will try out TAD ME1.  Lots of good reviews on the Yamaha, but I suspect it does not have the transparency or resolution of Vivid's.  but definitely will go to see a demo.
@verdantauio Vivid is indeed unique.  I'm indifferent to bookshelf or floorstanders; but ideally not too big. I'm currently using Boenicke W8se and can go just a bit bigger in size.  Will note to check Verdants at the shows!
@w1000i Will try TADs! thx

I used to have a pair of vivid giya g3, sold it and now 
have a wilson sasha 2. At first i thought it was a lateral
move, but it turns out wilson is a much better speakers
all around.
sasha 2 is faster. Have a blacker background, a bass that’s
more textured, a sweeter highs and the adjustable tweeter
and mids of the wilson is a godsend.