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.

I think the Yamahas are really for musicians and music lovers rather than audiophiles.They are not about sonic fireworks or awesomeness .They are about musical and tonal purity.Like Bakoon amplifiers and Supratek preamps.Using Anthem pre and power amps would not do them justice.If any company knows how instruments should sound it is Yamaha.

@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.

@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.

Have you gone up the line at all? I hear the 7F and was very impressed with the crystalline midrange. It just sounded so real and precise. Was easily superior to the 800D3.

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.