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

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.

I don't know if it's a small manufacturer, but you really can't go wrong with Harbeth.  I have the SHL5+ and they are stunning.  My room is too small for the 40.2s, but they are even more impressive (in the right room).

As an aside, I recently added the SOtM Duo bridge and word clock to my system powered by an Illuminati DC supply.  I would not have thought the Harbeths could get any more detailed, but what an improvement!

@calvinj With Salk you'll come in under 10K.  The Song3 BEAT or Song3 Encore fit your needs.

Salk Exotica 3's fit the limits stated.
I really like the Song 3A version for around $6kish.
I've owned about 6 pairs of Salks and you cannot go wrong.

With that budget, you should be looking at a real state of the art speaker, such as anything from Bang & Olufsen. Not another tired passive with an MDF box.