I ve bought the RS 10 few months ago and they are easily of the reference quality musical tools.... They are more for the refined audiophile& music lover, who has heard it all, and regularly attends live musical events and knows what live music sounds like ... I ve not heard the R9s, so cant comment, but heard and owned various REGA speakers over the years, and the RS 10s have completely different drivers&sound signature, sound more like the best electrostats with guts and bass.... Easily top 10 speakers regardless of price in my very non-humble opinion....