Tonian Labs TL-D1 Mk2

am interested in the 12's (larger, PHY drivers)- supposedly amazing, but much more $$$ ($9k+)

I'm with you Sutts. After hearing these TL-D1's, I want a pair of 12.1's one day. But as you say; expensive. Well to me they are expensive but everything's relative. To others 9 or 10K may seem 'budget speakers'. If down the road I have the $$$ for a pair I'd buy them. I've never heard a PHY driver but have heard great things about them. And I think Tony Minasian at Tonian Labs is some kind of audio genius so I've no doubt his implementation must be superb.

Yes- have heard the same- it's too bad I am in Toronto and he is in California I believe- kind of far for an audition!!

While I'm not in Toronto, I'm also very far from California. I didn't audition these TL-D1's. I had just been looking for speakers that would be a good match with my RWA amps and from all I read I had a hunch these were the ones to get. I took a chance and I'm glad I did. I don't regret it for a second. Tony is a great guy to deal with too. He also makes recordings. His recording of a drummer is among the finest recordings I've ever heard. It sounds so real. So pure. It doesn't seem like a recording, it seems like the drums are in the room. Which is also one of the qualities of these speakers; realism. The image, depth, soundstage, tone, pace,... everything seems just right to me. Instruments sound like what they are and where they should be. I forget I'm listening to 'a stereo' and just get lost in the music. As other owners and reviewers have written; Tony designs these cabinets in a way that they give a little, just like an instrument as an acoustic guitar etc... would. While I find they excel with every type of music, there are certain recordings where I'm just blown away by how real the music sounds. A real sense of living breathing musicians in the room. Like on the aforementioned drummer recording and just the other day I was listening to Anouar Brahem's 'The astounding eyes of Rita' and I was, well, astounded:-) It's great music and a great recording and these speakers reveal it. Just so enjoyable.

For me that's the whole thing, am I enjoying it or not? Am I forgetting about stereo equipment and just enjoying my music collection? I'm not an audiophile, I just love music. (At least I don't _think_ I'm an audiophile but I may be in denial:-) One day...I can see it now, "Hello, my name is In_time and I am an audiophile."...."Welcome In_time!")