Amazing how one could read this thread and note no correlation between the preferences expressed. Not that this thread is any different than so many others on this forum.
When choosing very costly speakers, like in the $20K+ range, you eventually must listen for yourself, multiple times in different venues. Carry your own music. You may have to travel to hear them. (I did, to hear two of my alternatives.) I also recommend talking to the factory and getting listening venue recommendations from them. You'd be surprised how helpful they can be. (And if they're not I'd forget that brand.)
And unless $20K+ is not a significant sum of money for you, or you've artificially limited the field by biases, the decision process may not be easy. I agonized over the Sound Labs, and I still wonder if I should have chose them. I thought long and hard about the Linkwitz Orions too. Interesting how those choices aren't even mentioned in this thread, and I was so dismissive of the ones that are mentioned (after hearing them).
It seems like asking for advice about expensive speakers is about as effective as asking for advice about a mate. ;-)
When choosing very costly speakers, like in the $20K+ range, you eventually must listen for yourself, multiple times in different venues. Carry your own music. You may have to travel to hear them. (I did, to hear two of my alternatives.) I also recommend talking to the factory and getting listening venue recommendations from them. You'd be surprised how helpful they can be. (And if they're not I'd forget that brand.)
And unless $20K+ is not a significant sum of money for you, or you've artificially limited the field by biases, the decision process may not be easy. I agonized over the Sound Labs, and I still wonder if I should have chose them. I thought long and hard about the Linkwitz Orions too. Interesting how those choices aren't even mentioned in this thread, and I was so dismissive of the ones that are mentioned (after hearing them).
It seems like asking for advice about expensive speakers is about as effective as asking for advice about a mate. ;-)