Best U.S.A. speakers?

>>I guess their strange looks never gathered many converts<<

If you heard them you'd realize looks had nothing to do with it.

Merlin, Nola (a.k.a Alon), Thiel, Vandersteen, Magnaplanar and Devore. I've not yet heard Zus, but they appear to have a growing following.

My top ten...uh, twelve?

1. Magnepan
2. Ridgestreet Audio
3. Merlin
4. Soundlab
5. Green Mountain Audio
6. Joseph Audio
7. Nola
8. Magico
9. Wilson
10.Aerial

*Honorable mention (too new to really know at this point) - YG Acoustics
** Vandersteen would have made my list just a few years ago but progress by other companies has me dropping this fine company from my "top ten"

Maggies, and Wilson's, Klipsch..and yes even a mention for the good old 901's,

I've been a fan of Classic Audio Reproductions for a long time- 20Hz-45KHz response, 16 ohms, 97 db. The field-coil powered drivers have the resolution of the best ESLs with dynamic range that is hard to beat, all in a package that sets up even in smaller rooms very easily.

The MG20.1 has always struck me as a best buy. Full range response with plenty of resolution, not too hard to drive either.