My first post, need some opinions about speakers

Concur with everything said by Viridian. If both speakers seem about equal to you, you have two choices:

Be a good friend and support your friend's speaker building business, knowing that you will never be able to sell your speakers.

OR

Buy the name brand speakers that you know you will be able to get at least half your money back on (assuming you are buying them new).

Speakers and money are a lot easier to replace than a great friendship and integrity - never jeopardize either.

I tried the Devore Super 8's for about a week in my setup. Found them too forward/revealing for digital gear (I've heard that Devore designs his speakers around analog sources). They're nice, just not good with my tube amp and digital front-end. They have the same drive units as the Nines if I'm not mistaken.

Living Voice IBX-R2's might be another consideration. Just as (actually more efficient) than the Devores while giving you a warmer "british" sound that's favorable to rock and other forward sounding music (and much more forgiving with digital). That's what I'm likely settling on as I've been demoing them for over a week now.

support your friend...you're going to replace everything in a couple more years anyway....its the law.

I would move your friends speakers into your listening room for a month. Then decide.

If it were me, I would get the Nines. I lived with the Super 8s for a year and a half and loved them. If I were able to home the demo the Silverbacks I suspect I would be listening to them right now instead of my VA POs, but then again.....