If $ was no object what speaker would you buy?

Probably the Von Schweikert VR9 or the Sonus Faber Stradivari. For me, when it comes to buying $$$ speakers, it's also important to consider the dealer you can get these speakers from. I trust Jonathan Tinn of Chambers Audio and find most Sumiko dealers to be very knowledgeable and passionate so my choice is influenced by the dealers carrying the product as well.

Actually I would be happy with many speakers above about $1500 and can understand fully why my choice in speakers may differ from others... it all comes down to what it is designed for and your tastes.

The fact that I have spent many times more than $1500 on speakers does not mean that my speakers sound many times better. Unfortunately, as cost increases, it is always diminishing returns in performance after about roughly $1500, which is probably why the ultra high end manufacturers suffer from low volumes.....the value for money just isn' there anymore.

I guess there just aren't enough of us around who are so fussy or so wealthy as to spend so much $$$ for small incremental benefits to create a big market for high end gear.

On the MBL 101 E:

The MBL 101E idea of speakers that radiate in all directions is impressive and brilliant, they radiate in "full-space" mode. In conventional speakers only the base frequencies actually radiate in all directions (at less than about 300 Hz).

The MBL101E might have GREAT applications for concerts held at the center of large stadiums or at the center of a very very large room such as a gymnasium (if they can get the SPL levels higher).

Of course right and left channel would lose a bit of their meaning with speakers like this, and, without a change in recording studio and mixing techniques, I am not sure how they would sound on existing material. Current music is most often recorded and mixed in Studios for soffit mounted "half-space" sounding speakers.

Also I would be worried about all the reflections in home applications of this type of design. I agree an evenly dispersed sound field is a plus but most designers normally try to limit wall reflections not maximise them....so it is an even and forward radiating soundfield that is normally maximized.

Very interesting post, it would indeed be nice to see the volumes up on high end speaker sales such that prices dropped....but I am not holding my breath.

I don't know, I would have to listen to a large number first. I could say the x model or the y model but being in a situation where money was no objection then the options would REALLY be wide open and my answer would propably be different.

The New York Philharmonic.

My choice would have to be predicated on my listening room and the equipment I currently own. Many of the "megabuck" super-speakers, such as the Wilson Alexandria's and the Alon Grand Reference, are simply impractical for the vast majority of listeners. And it would be pointless to buy hyper-expensive speakers without also improving the rest of the audio chain.
So, factoring in my current listening area and my electronics, I'd buy the Vandersteen 5A's.