RMAF 2016................Boenicke W5

The surprise factor of an ultra small speaker talking big can be and probably is an element in the wow factor experienced by the OP. Admittedly, to get some great timbre and believable music from such a small package is quite remarkable. The price-well if you look at the offerings on this site 3.6K isn't otherworldly. Gawd is just saying, in his view, they outperformed their price tag. We all listen to each other in attempting to dig through price/valuations etc. 
charles 1dad, I have two sets of Zu speakers. They must be dialed in and other factors must be dealt with, tubes etc. But I assure you they have a 'they are here" quality and can be balanced to give an eerily real presentation. In a hotel with two days prep? Maybe not.

Hello Dentdog,
I trust your ears and judgement. Same with other Zu owners whom I hold in high regard. Germanboxers, 213 Cobra,gsm (gary) Spiritofmusic. You'd think that once or twice out of 5 listening encounters they'd sound reasonably good, not yet. 

It is puzzling as other brands have managed to sound very well under the same show environment constraints. I like their design concept of high efficiency and wide band drivers. Again this is why I relate to Gawbless's comments. When you're in a room with exceptional sound you know it.😀.
Charles, 

No wow factor, I think anyone will only need only a few  minutes upon hearing to realize if a speaker is good, or not..........

Hi,
I heard the Boenicke W5's at the Tokyo Audio Show. In a giant room. I am still amazed, weeks later. They truly shocked me with their tremendous soundstage, clarity, and softness (I don't know if that is the right term but I felt gently enveloped by their sound).  By far the best speaker I heard. It was magical. 
There was no forwardness. No assault on the ears. And they filled the entire room with beautiful music. I could not believe that all that sound was coming from such a tiny speaker. 
In Japan they cost the equivalent of $7,000 for the pair. As I dream of owning them at the US retail price (and the quality electronics to go with them) I'm encouraged by the fact that they would be easy to smuggle back in my suitcase.
Bruce

They maybe small in stature, and price lol, but they, when heard no way portrait the traits of a small speaker, I know someone will harp on about size, graphs, the laws of physics etc blah blah blah......., but they are the consummate bargain for their quality of sound, excluding the bottom octave.
$3600 is a lot of money for  single component in the chain, but when one counts the many hours of happy listening, the price Is not an issue.