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

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.

Agree with the Magnepan 30.7. But as others say, it depends on what your priorities are. The Maggies excel on acoustical music, they have a spooky realism to them. Even my old Tympani IVa’s can be jaw-droppingly realistic (talk about bargains -- maybe $3000 used), and the 30.7’s better them in every respect.

     - whats the downside to the maggies?

Well, Jonathan Valin said they didn’t have the most bass impact on rock. To put that in perspective, they measure flat to 20 Hz and my old Tympani IVa’s, which have less panel area, will do chest compression in my small room. But I don’t think Maggies and other planars are the best choice if you listen primarily to rock -- some will disagree. My IVa’s will cruise at 110 dB, which is plenty loud, but they won’t give you the ear-destroying SPL’s of something like a big Wilson, or the incredible dynamics of a horn.

I think the main drawback for most though is their size. They don’t really require a huge room, they place nicely in a room that’s 14’ wide -- but they are big and they have to be at least 5’ out from the wall behind them to sound their best (3’ is the minimum).

Still, Jonathan said you’d have to spend $100,000 to find speakers that sound as good and having heard them twice now I suspect he’s right.

   - whats the downside to the maggies?

Well, Jonathan Valin said they didn’t have the most bass impact on rock. To put that in perspective, they measure flat to 20 Hz and my old Tympani IVa’s, which have less panel area, will do chest compression in my small room. But I don’t think Maggies and other planars are the best choice if you listen primarily to rock -- some will disagree. My IVa’s will cruise at 110 dB, which is plenty loud, but they won’t give you the ear-destroying SPL’s of something like a big Wilson, or the incredible dynamics of a horn.

I think the main drawback for most though is their size. They don’t really require a huge room, they place nicely in a room that’s 14’ wide -- but they are big and they have to be at least 5’ out from the wall behind them to sound their best (3’ is the minimum).

Still, Jonathan said you’d have to spend $100,000 to find speakers that sound as good and having heard them twice now I suspect he’s right.

Thanks for that. I really want to hear them but unfortunately no store near me has the 20.7 or 30.7 :(

Great to hear that sort of report.I really think the NS5000s set a new standard for midrange reproduction.The rest is very good too.The drivers being all made from the same Zylon material must also help with tonal consistency and cohesion.
If you are concerned about the bass overdriving your room Yamaha make  acoustic panels which you position just  behind the speakers.

Snell speakers can be had for a song. I have a pair of Type B's. I picked them up off eBay for under $700.00 Bass goes down to 20 htz and they throw a big soundstage. One warning; the midwoofers need to be replaced or reglued. I found four new drivers out of Australia. They cost around $380.00 to get them to my door. To my ears these Type B's sound as good as the big B&W's of which I've owned several pairs. A guy does have a pair on Audiogon for sale. You can see the mids were reglued. Great speakers!