KEF and Paradigm

Thanks to all for the helpful input.  I'm leaning toward the KEF Reference 3 but plan to wait a couple of weeks so I can hear the Ryans and see if anything new is announced at the CES--probably not but it's only two weeks away.  Yyz, thanks for the suggestion but I've checked with the five KEF Reference dealers within 100 miles of me and none stock the Reference 5.  I even called KEF and the closest dealer they could find who stocks the 5 is 350 miles away.  Anyone heard the 5 who can compare it to the Reference 3?  I'm reluctant to buy a speaker I've never heard, especially when some people have told me that the 3 actually sounds better, so the 5 may not be a consideration.   I will do some more research to make sure my 130watts/channel amplifier is sufficient.  The KEF specifications call for much less power.   Keys, welcome to the board and I appreciate the information.  I like the same things you do about the KEFs and may join you soon as an owner.

Still not finding any place to hear the KEF Reference 5 within 350 miles, after many inquiries.  If I could hear them and was impressed, I would be willing to spend the extra cost over the Reference 3. Here's what puzzles me.  Dealers tell me there are at least two reasons for not stocking speakers like this--floor space and, they claim, they have to buy the speakers in order to have them on the floor (seems to be an industry practice-- just with KEF).  Understandably, dealers are reluctant to invest in too many expensive components.  But why don't companies like KEF just loan speakers to some dealers, knowing that the products won't sell if they can't be heard?  I asked a KEF representative but didn't really get an answer.   I know little about the economics of the audio business but am curious about this apparently sales limiting practice.

Fast,

There have been a lot of KEF posts recently and AudioTroy (NJ dealer) has replied to a most of them with feedback since he says they display a lot of the KEF line. You may want to go through the old A’Gon threads. One thing I remember he said in his comparison of the REF 3 and the REF 5 was that they both sound identical except that the REF 5 has much more bass and can better fill a larger space. However, you would likely need more amp power for the REF 5 (I have not checked specs). So I gathered that space should be the factor when deciding between the REF 3 and REF 5.

I heard the REF 5 at a show and I kept thinking I would rather spend the extra $7K for the Blade 2.

I do not see anywhere where you mention what type of amps you will be using. I am in the process of researching my next system(s) and some of my decisions may help you. I am going to get the Blade 2 and maybe also the KEF 3. Tons of amps would work with these speakers, mostly a little expensive. These are the amps I am currently thinking are the candidates (order by preference):

1) Luxman m900u ($15K MSRP and what I will get for Blade2)
2) Benchmark AHB2 mono block ($6K for pair)
3) Bryston 4B cubed (approx. $6k)
4) PeachTree Nova 300 or 500 integrated (I already have a Nova 150 beautifully driving KEF LS50s)

If I get the REF 3 for a second system I will decide between #2, #3, or #4. Some of that decision will be determined by how I plan to use that system and how much money I want to throw at it.

I'm interested in Blade 2s.  I have an Ayre VX-5 Twenty amp (175@8Ω, 350@4Ω) that I use with a KX-5 Twenty preamp to drive LS50s.  I also have a pair of Parasound JC 1 monoblocks (400@8Ω, 800@4Ω) that I use with JC 2 BP preamp to drive KEF Reference 107/2s.  The catch is the QX-5 Twenty Digital Hub that pairs so well with the Ayre preamp will be my music source in the future.  I'm wondering how the KX-5 would pair with the JC 1s that can make the 107/2s (and presumably Blade 2s) really sing.

db