In this review, we will be comparing NS-5000 and R3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Yamaha and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Yamaha NS-5000 and KEF R3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Yamaha NS-5000 | KEF R3 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.25" Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | 3.25" | 5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 12" Cone | 6.5" Hybrid aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 26-40k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 200-600 watts | 15-180 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 35.02kg / 77lbs | 13.55kg / 29.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 27.125" x 15.5" x 15"
689.0 x 393.7 x 381.0mm | 16-5/8" x 7-13/16" x 13-1/4"
423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Yamaha NS-5000 and KEF R3 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Yamaha NS-5000 |
KEF R3 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both NS-5000 and R3 are 3-way speakers.
Yamaha NS-5000KEF R3
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Yamaha NS-5000 |
KEF R3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.25-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 3.25-inch |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 12-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
NS-5000 features a 1.25" Dome Dome Tweeter, a 3.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 750 Hz / 4.5 kHz. On the other hand, the R3 features a 1" aluminum Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 6.5" Hybrid aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
NS-5000 has a frequency range of 26-40k Hz whereas R3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 26Hz, the NS-5000 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R3's min frequency of 52Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
NS-5000 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the R3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. NS-5000 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the R3's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Yamaha NS-5000 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF R3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
NS-5000 can handle a max power of 600 watts RMS, whereas R3 has a max power handling value of 180 watts RMS, 420 watts less than the NS-5000.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
R3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. NS-5000 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF R3 Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Yamaha NS-5000's and KEF R3's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-5000 has external dimensions of 689.0 x 393.7 x 381.0mm (27.125 x 15.5 x 15inch) whereas KEF R3 has external dimensions of 423.0 x 199.0 x 337.0mm (16-5/8 x 7-13/16 x 13-1/4inch).
Yamaha NS-5000 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 194.7mm wider, 266mm taller and 44mm deeper than KEF R3.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Yamaha NS-5000 is approximately 1500.0cm2 / 232.5inch2 and base area of the KEF R3 is approximately 670.6cm2 / 103.9inch2. The NS-5000 requires 124% more surface area than the R3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Yamaha NS-5000 weighs 35.02kg / 77lbs and the KEF R3 weighs 13.55kg / 29.8lbs. This makes the NS-5000 158% heavier than the R3.
Here is a comparison of how NS-5000 and R3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of KEF R3?
Here are the items that come with the R3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
600 watts
vs
180 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.5 ohms
vs
3.2 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
26 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
423mm
vs
689mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
670cm2
vs
1500cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
2200USD
vs
22000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Yamaha NS-5000 |
KEF R3 |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
200-600 watts |
15-180 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
3.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
26-40k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
12" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Hybrid aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.25" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
3.25" |
5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
750 Hz / 4.5 kHz |
400Hz and 2900Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
689.0mm (27.1") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
| Width |
393.7mm (15.5") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Depth |
381.0mm (15") |
337.0mm (13.3") |
| Weight |
35.02kg (77lbs) |
13.55kg (29.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black Gloss, White Gloss, Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Yamaha NS-5000 costs roughly 10x what KEF R3 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
A |
Yamaha NS-5000 digs deeper - 26Hz against 52Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match |
B |
KEF R3 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom |
A |
Yamaha NS-5000 takes more power (600W vs 180W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
KEF R3 is easier to place; Yamaha NS-5000 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
B |
KEF R3: bi-amping. KEF R3 sits in a wider range (5 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
B |
KEF R3 is cheaper - $2,200 against $22,000, about 90% less; arguably a different class. |
A Yamaha NS-5000
B KEF R3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 52Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper KEF R3 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Yamaha NS-5000 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, KEF R3 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.