Another way to look at speakers and design is to study the company. Companies have cultures and some are in for profit (the big ones) and have a quarterly report that drives everything, including engineering budget to invent or build new things. They hire the top engineers and have the brain power to develop new ideas. These engineers might have a revolutionary idea but whether they can pursue it depends on if it will make more money. These companies have a board, have an owner(s) who are not engineers, a larger staff with a CFO and very formal company structure. They move forward new ideas that improve income- period.
The small companies are more often Engineering driven, and they will develop a new idea even if it puts them out of business (engineers are often not good business people). They may struggle with staying around, but they are constantly developing new new new. We can all think of companies like this. I think of PS Audio, Cardas, ATC, Kii, etc. people like that. They have an engineer at the helm and he calls the shots, win or lose. We may not always agree with them, but they break new ground. They will not be cheap products and are often the most expensive.
So if you want new tech, look to the engineering based companies. If you want a deal, look to the manufacturing based companies. And stay aware of brands that change hands, as the brand value may have arisen through engineering, but the new owners see that brand as a way to grow the business through manufacturing. This has happened quite a few times lately with major Danish and English brands.
Brad