I'm not being defensive Scott.
Just trying to point out what a shame it is about the current state of the high end and that things could have been so much better for the hi-fi industry, but for a certain way of designing speakers that was and continues to be regardless of the protestations, of its followers, completely at odds with the average person's domestic wants and needs.
I'm going on what I got told by friends, acquaintances and colleagues.
Did you know, for instance, that from my research done so far, even single pedestal speaker stands, no matter how good looking are not wanted in their homes. Three and four legged stands are rejected out of hand. And don't get them started on spikes! OK its only a small sample of around thirty, taken over the last six months, and it is merely anecdotal, but I believe it is very relevant.
Now this information was all collected, from the results of talking to women, who like it or not have their own views on hi-fi and living rooms that need to be respected. No men were asked, which was easy to arrange as my profession, particularly the 5-11 age range I work with, as you know, is very highly feminised, so I had the perfect subjects.
Small speakers are only allowed in the living room if they are on bookshelves, floorstanders only if they are right back up to the wall and certainly not 18" deep front to back. Wider than deep, maximum 10 inches depth and up against the wall is a floorstander configuration that is liked, so Dave D's Mileva and Demetri are well in.
All I did to get this what I consider valuable info, was show these women pictures of speakers, past and present; a sort of mood board and say, "would you have this in your living room?"
If speakers are to be different from the above aesthetics, then they need to look different to the run of the mill rectangular shape, so that they become an attractive feature piece of furniture/talking point, but they still must be against the wall.
I have other anecdotal evidence, but you get the picture.
Interestingly I presented a smaller part of the info I've gathered, last year, on another forum I no longer post on and was told in no uncertain terms by one person to grow a pair; pathetic really.
I make no judgements, just observations.
Sgt. Baker started talkin’ with a Bullhorn in his hand.