Listened long at AXPONA and they did many things impressively except for the upper midrange lower treble dry, brash flavor. Turns out to be present in the entire line. Possibly due to the amplification but I heard what I heard.
In the $5K range The SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle and Revival Audio Atatante 5 sounded better and especially more refined. I would live with either over the SP 8888.
Tone wise the SP8s are my favorite with more warmth and less brashness.
The SVS had true sub bass and was one of my show favorites.