Bouncing off what Al has alluded to above, I think what comes before the speaker has greater influence on the outcome than the speaker itself. If we exclude the variance in the source material and room, if you have a one of the high quality speakers mentioned, the difference between them might be less than the differences gained in the cables and components.
For a decade, I had $2k speakers (Maggie 1.7’s) with $20k in electronics. Yes, they missed an octave on the low end, but they improved as my gear improved. I know this isn’t the cost equation most people use but putting all your chips in on speakers without some in the kitty for better gear would be imbalanced.
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The system must harmonize together. When I built my power-hungry speakers, I still had small power amplifiers. In contrast to my large AVM monos, the speakers sounded OK on these. The bass range sounded less controlled and muddy with the small monos. You could see that the membrane made the bass stroke that it wasn’t supposed to and had resonance. With large power amplifiers the bass is very controlled. When choosing speakers, you should always connect the right amplifier. If it doesn’t fit together, the result is not complete. And the speaker should also fit the room in terms of size and placement options.
It’s probably better to have a good quality amplifier driving small, simple speakers than the other way around. What use is the best loudspeaker if the amplifier cannot control it and has it under control. It’s a puzzle
A few reviews I read about my amplifier stated something to the effect that the amp was completely immune to whatever speakers you connect to them. Apparently with a full farad of capacitance the power supply is up for anything. Hook anything you want to it and it won’t break a sweat no matter what. Of course my speakers do 92dB at one watt so it’s a stupidly easy load. But who knows, some day…
(I was planning on getting a second amp just like it and only use two amps to power MBL Extremes. But then I lost interest in another amp, more cables, and MBL Extremes)
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With your amplifier you are prepared for anything. Also on the failure of the heating system 
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Oddly enough, it’s predecessor would really heat the room. The new one not so much. But the amp is 1/3 acre in size, with more heat sinks than a Nuclear Power Plant. No grilling steaks on it.
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That would have been extreme
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I don’t think I’ll ever own a pair of loudspeakers that does not have some form of planar or ribbon-like mid-range and/or “tweeter”.
I just can’t imagine doing without the imaging and “clean” mid and higher frequency response you get out these types of drivers.
FWIW.
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I have had (and continue to enjoy) a similar journey with my unbelievably low cost speakers (Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1s). They are uncommonly good performers at their original price point of $2,995/pr plus $900 for the AGA Reference S.A. bass amp.
I am sure I will upgrade some day when they are just too long in the tooth. But every time I spend some more money on better kit and accessories upstream of the speakers, they give me more performance.
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I’ve had a similar experience. Over 20 years ago I bought a pair of Von Schweickert VR IV-jr speakers. Since then I have upgraded everything else in my system. The speakers have enabled me to hear clearly the differences with each new component (or occasionally lack of difference).
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I really wanted to buy a set of FR-20 or FR-30 but the aesthetic was a no go for my wife. If they would have had a round top it would have worked. She was put off by the round bottom and flat top for whatever reason. Lack of symmetry maybe?
I believe that for the money spent they simply cant be beat.
The Spirit G2’s on the other hand she loves the look of and I love how they sound.
FWIW
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Speakers are in a special category from most other parts of the audio chain. If you get it right a speaker can stand up to scrutiny to more modern designs for a lifetime. My Dahlquists are approaching five decades old and they still do it for me. A can’t imagine other things, a DAC for instance, having that kind of staying power. The proof in the pudding is if your speakers can continue to resolve the improvements you make elsewhere. If I could transport my system back in time to where I started with these speakers I wouldn’t believe it.
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It took 30 years before I finally found a pair of speakers (in my price bracket) that could make music better than my Shahinians - Von Schweikerts. I fully expect they now will remain in my system for as long as I’m still around.
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Vern
So you moved on from the Gershman’s? I thought you had just ordered the new base units from Ira.
I didn’t get the new bases ordered before the Vivid deal appeared but yes the Gershman’s are out of the system and headed for the sale block.
I hate to see them go but I don’t see any need to keep them in my possession any longer.
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Do you remember what Ira told you the new bases would cost? Other than maybe looking better aesthetically they only seemed to offer a 1db increase in the bass response from what I was able to find. The Giya’s are certainly a different look.
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Having worked at a B&W dealer in the pacific northwest for a year, the 802 was B&W top model as far as sales. I even heard that it was the single most profitable product of theirs (they must be selling a lot of them).
That being said, the recent nearly 50% price increase (moving from $22k to $31K between the D3 and D4 models) really takes away a significant amount of the price/performance that it had.
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Surprised here as I got the impression they were one and done! I just picked up a pair of SabrinaX and know better then to keep looking/listening to alternatives. There will most certainly be better, either at a price, or with certain aesthetic compromises.
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The Gershman’s were and still are awesome for the money (~$16k) spent.
The Grand Poo Bah nudged me in the direction of the Vivid’s and he was absolutely correct.
At 4x the new retail money the Vivid G2’s obviously should be better and of course they are better.
More mass, better drivers, better structural design but at a much higher price point. With no flat surfaces anywhere on the cabinet there are no reflections to deal with and the soundstage and sweet spot are wide. Voices are “real”. Subs are not needed.
Now I am done with speakers. All of them not in use are heading for or already at TMR.
Life is good.
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You are having fun, and an Apex in your future?
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If you mean DAC’s I had a Rossini APEX with Master Clock and the Playback Designs MPD-8 was better in my system. I just sold both the Rossini APEX and the Master Clock at TMR.
The DAC search is also over. 
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