I've heard all those speakers and several are absolutely world class.
Regardless of comments (including my own), speakers are a very personal choice that basically comes down to choosing the one with errors that disturb YOU the least.
While I agree with Sdcampbell about the Vandy 5A being an alternative, given the limits of your list, I would choose the Avalon Eidolon Diamond first place and maybe the Sonus Faber and Talon FIrebird tied for second.
That being said, I could choose my least favorite from the list and make it sound better than my first choice set up improperly and matched up with bad sounding associated equipment.
My point being that it's just as important when purchasing this quality level to carefully work to preserve what the speaker is capable of.
Basically you have to dig to find what it's best match is.
Regardless of comments (including my own), speakers are a very personal choice that basically comes down to choosing the one with errors that disturb YOU the least.
While I agree with Sdcampbell about the Vandy 5A being an alternative, given the limits of your list, I would choose the Avalon Eidolon Diamond first place and maybe the Sonus Faber and Talon FIrebird tied for second.
That being said, I could choose my least favorite from the list and make it sound better than my first choice set up improperly and matched up with bad sounding associated equipment.
My point being that it's just as important when purchasing this quality level to carefully work to preserve what the speaker is capable of.
Basically you have to dig to find what it's best match is.