The Absolute Sound High-End Loudspeaker of the Year: Yamaha NS-5000

2020 Product of the Year Awards | High-End Loudspeaker of the Year - The Absolute Sound

The Absolute Sound revealed its High End Loudspeaker of the Year choice: the $15K Yamaha NS-5000. Glad to see something besides the usual European companies (B&W, KEF, etc.) for a change.

 

Music Direct below link provides a bit more detail...

Yamaha - NS-5000 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers with Stands

 

Now we know who paid the most in advertising with TAS!

 

I’ve really wanted to hear these. No idea where or when I could though, but one day...

 

TAS must have changed, then. They used to review without "fear or favor" and panned Infinity's Kappa 9 speakers (circa 1990), along with one or two others (The IRS Beta got a decent, but not great review, and a couple of others), even though Harry had the Infinity IRS speakers as his reference. Arnie Nudell was not happy about that, and his speakers never made speaker of the year, yet he continued to advertise. I reviewed a pair of Genesis and the review was mixed, yet Infinity continued to advertise.

So, I guess you're talking about a different TAS, yes?

Also, this isn't THE speaker of the year; I believe that that will be the Wilson XVS speakers. This is a Product of The Year within a category. The fact that there are no other products means this will be put into perspective when the (print) magazine arrives. But it sounds like its more a "good-for-them" Product of The Year. Harley proclaimed the Wilsons the most lifelike speaker he'd ever, EVER heard. So, I doubt a $15,000 set of speakers would be THE product of the year. TAS has turned into an Alternate-Universe version of Stereophile.

In fact, this "Product of The Year" thing? It's confusing the way they do things now. I don't subscribe or read it much; it's not the TAS I knew and loved. Not by a long shot.

 

The Lady doth protest too much, methinks

 

Sad but true. Don’t forget payola.

 

Can we stop calling speakers like this "bookshelf"? They are floor standing speakers with a see through base, or stand mount speakers. If they are bookshelf speakers they should be reviewed on a bookshelf against a wall.

 

Gorgeous. Bet they sound good too.

For that price, though, it'd be tough to not go active ATC.

But these look nicer.