The Sonus Faber Cremona speaker was over $10k - I was not a huge fan of the smaller standmounts which are the only other ones I've heard except for their top of the line model. I would not call the 1.6 remotely dynamic - quite the reverse - excellent left to right stage but not much depth and not much in the way of pressurizing a room. The Sonus Faber I heard was connected up with Linn's new streaming front end at over $10k and Simaudio's Moon i7 amplifier.

E-Stat - I get what you're saying but rather than look entirely at the "next model up" at 1200% increase why not start at the bottom. Because there are roughly 10 versions of the speaker you the customer with your hard earned money can decide which version you want and which upgrade you want and which you think is patently absurd.

I have no problem with your argument regarding increased prices but no one is holding a gun to your head. The best speaker soundhounds sells is the AN E/LX HE at $6,500 in my opinion and the guys who sell them opinions. So it's not expensive relative and is easily the best value in terms of sound they sell (granted subjective opinion based). The people who buy the upgrade models are people that want "more of the same" and added refinement in what they already feel is the best loudspeaker design on the market. People who think Magnepan is the best loudspeaker on the market would probably like to have upgrade paths - better ribbon, crossovers, connectors, etc. And if they love their speaker - they'll be willing to pay to get more out of it.

To me that is more "relevant" than the fact that AN also make a $125k version with external crossovers that use over $30,000 worth of Silver parts and all silver wired voice coils in a very rare Alnico Tweeter. Is it better than the $6500 version yes - is it worth it - probably not. It will only be worth it if you the rich customer believes it to sound better than every other speaker $125k and under.

I respect the fact that others may prefer what they prefer but walking away from those auditions at Soundhounds to be perfectly blunt the 20.1 was seriously and roundly embarrassed by the Quad, and the AN E/LX HE and the Cremona too. The salespeople just watch my reaction and laugh with a subtle "yeah we know."

But of course you and Feaner are talking to someone who is not a die-hard fan of panels - you are talking to someone who prefers HE/SET based set-ups so clearly we hear it differently. So I respect your choices and your hearing of it - you may very well go there and walk away with an entirely different perspective.

Sometimes I get too "I'm right" about this. I am merely saying this is what I heard in direct comparisons - I would be interested in your direct comparisons if you ever get an opportunity.