What are the best loudspeakers under $4000 to re-create lifelike piano

re: John--
  I agree , My Bache-audoi-002  get  active crossover built in
with 2 amplifier , Cross points 80Hz and 700Hz. so one class D
amp working like sub , but another one loaded on 8 " driver
working with frequency 80-800Hz active crossover 24db/oct
and adjuster to make flat responce ,   and piano tone very natural
So external amp ( can be low power) driving another 2 driver with
regular passive crossover cover all after 700Hz

I owned Nola Contenders first version. They were great. I received a call from Nola regarding my speakers. They needed a first version for a dealer abroad. Carl, the owner offered me a brand new pair of his 3rd version as a swap. Fast forward, I received my new pair. I was told they had about 50 hours on them. These are the first pair in production. Right away they sounded great, but I decided put more hours on them. To be fair I must say I have 3 systems. They are an amazing speaker. Much better then the ones I had before. Carl explained to me he has upgraded the drivers, the crossover and the cabinets are made in the US. The benefit of the US cabinets is in the denisity and production. I've been really enjoying them. What blew me away was a piano piece. I was completely taken back by what they were doing. The Contenders rendered the piano with amazing scale. I could here the full weight of the instrument. I felt as if the piano was in the room! As I mentioned before I do own 3 systems. The Nola Contenders cost a fraction of other speakers I own. They are the only pair that can do Classical music well. I believe the price will be $4,900. If you get a chance audition them. I could go on and on about them but your own ears will tell you best. Side note, I'm driving them with a Cary Sli80 intergraded amp. Sources, Bluesound Node2 and an Oppo BDP-105 D. Cables are mostly low end Nordost with the exception of the Nola Blue Thunder speaker cables. Happy listening,  Brian 

I owned Nola Contenders first version. They were great. I received a call from Nola regarding my speakers. They needed a first version for a dealer abroad. Carl, the owner offered me a brand new pair of his 3rd version as a swap. Fast forward, I received my new pair. I was told they had about 50 hours on them. These are the first pair in production. Right away they sounded great, but I decided put more hours on them. To be fair I must say I have 3 systems. They are an amazing speaker. Much better then the ones I had before. Carl explained to me he has upgraded the drivers, the crossover and the cabinets are made in the US. The benefit of the US cabinets is in the denisity and production. I've been really enjoying them. What blew me away was a piano piece. I was completely taken back by what they were doing. The Contenders rendered the piano with amazing scale. I could here the full weight of the instrument. I felt as if the piano was in the room! As I mentioned before I do own 3 systems. The Nola Contenders cost a fraction of other speakers I own. They are the only pair that can do Classical music well. I believe the price will be $4,900. If you get a chance audition them. I could go on and on about them but your own ears will tell you best. Side note, I'm driving them with a Cary Sli80 intergraded amp. Sources, Bluesound Node2 and an Oppo BDP-105 D. Cables are mostly low end Nordost with the exception of the Nola Blue Thunder speaker cables. Happy listening,  Brian 

I was wondering if anyone has owned or heard the older (circa late '80s early '90s) 5 1/4 neoflex focal drivers in a proper bass slot loaded and inert speaker? It had been the most believably lifelike tonal reproduction of piano I've ever had, with an old (Sherwood?) tube integrated and modified old Magnavox CD player in my living room playing a Naxos solo piano disc. Sounded exactly like the upright piano in the same room was playing, hearing it while approaching from outside the house, it fooled me to thinking someone was actually playing the real thing.

There has to be a few of those focal driven speakers that still exist?

Why not start a new thread instead of replying to a 4 1/2 yr old one? Just a thought….