Man! Thanks for all the input! I'm planning on listening to several of the speakers mentioned (Wilson, Vandersteen) and I've had several of the others. It's interesting how upstream components and the room have incredible effects on speakers etc. (as does "taste"). Originally I was trying to find the greatest value at this price point in the used market (given the different depreciation rates of various equipment and the relative stability of performance in the electronics realm vs mechanical). Part of the staying power is of the former is value and part is reputation. I was wondering about secondary manufacturers who were producing nearly the quality of the big boys and faced a radical drop-off in the secondary market rendering these speakers a virtual "steal" given the drivers, cabinets etc. Some speakers hold their value quite well (i.e. B&W, Wilson, Vandersteen) others decline more rapidly (but I think the sound does not decline at the same rate). I was hoping to capitalize on "your alls" experience and find a value speaker that tooks a great hit, but sounds really incredible and it's used price is actually undervalued given it performance.
It's similar to a situation I faced with a boat purchase, A few years ago I bought a new runabout for 26,000 and now the same boat new is 45,000. Folks have found out it's a good boat and have bid up the price. I don't want to pay the inflated price!
Thanks again folks. Keep suggestions coming!