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KEF and Paradigm

Anyone want to help a fellow audiophile decide among speakers?   I've been listening to many and narrowed it down to the Paradigm Persona 5 and KEF Reference 3.  I would consider the Reference 5 but can't find it anywhere.  While there are many things I like about the Persona, I'm also kind of knocked out by the wide and holographic sound of the KEFs  (a salesman also is urging me to hear the Ryan Tempess iii before choosing--and there's the new Magico due shortly--although I heard the Magico S1 and wasn't that impressed--I know the upcoming model will have lower bass extension at a lesser price).  My amplifier is 130 watts/channel and the room is fairly large (29x17).  I'm really  leaning toward the KEFs. I totally understand that no one else can decide for me but before I pull the trigger I would appreciate input on this board.  I've read so many good things about the Personas and listened to them several times but keep returning to the KEFs. Of course listening in a store isn't the same as living with them over time. Would I regret the KEFs over the long term?
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Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,457 posts
 
You should contact a few KEF dealers (there are a lot) and ask if they have any demo REF 5's if you are interested in buying them. I am looking around for KEF 1 or 3's myself and a couple of the dealers I spoke or emailed had demo units they asked me if I would be interested in.

There were a few REF's on A' Gon last month and they will reappear the day you buy your KEF or Persona's. Though I prefer to buy speakers from a dealer. Other electronics have no issue with used.
yyzsantabarbara
4,457 posts
 
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.

yyzsantabarbara
4,457 posts
 
FAST,

In the event you have not seen the following review.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/kef-reference-5-loudspeaker

"Summing Up
I very much enjoyed my time with the KEF Reference 5. It may not be a more affordable, less visually idiosyncratic Blade Two—that speaker stands alone in KEF's line—but it offers its own balance of strengths: a neutral, uncolored midrange; weighty but well-defined lows; sweet, smooth highs; and superbly secure, stable soundstaging. The Reference 5s might sound too mellow in a large, overdamped space, but in my somewhat irregularly shaped room (18.5' long by 14' wide by 8' high), the immaculately finished KEFs gave me all I need for musical and sonic satisfaction. "
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