What’s a 10k to 15k speaker from smaller company that performs well?

Music culture. 

They're $6495, but after six months, I'm still happy with Sonist Concerto 4 Gen 2.  Solid wood, high WAF, very efficient, 27hz-45khz, great soundstage, very transparent without being edgy.  What's not to like? I had 10k budgetted, so used the savings to justfy a magical tube amp.  I added 3rd party jumpers and feet.  Hard to audition.

I second the TAD ME-1. I just picked up a demo pair at CAF. They are spectacular. The biggest deepest bass in a smallish cabinet.

@479142 +1 Yes Sanders is really a wonderful sounding system. 

Salk Sound.  
  
Every blind test I’ve seen them been included in had them winning. Their cabinets are also gorgeous and custom, but have long wait times as such.