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

Ditto Daedalus and Chapman. These are both artisanal product lines available from long-established designers. Both Lou Hinckley of Daedalus and Stuart Jones of Chapman are likable and freely available by phone. The factory-direct pricing model is reasonable.

You should have come over on Oct 20th and heard the Rosso Fiorentino Volterra Calvin.  The little brother Fiesole went home with someone and the Volterra sold a week later.  I've still got the Siena on demo.

I know how much you like older Sonus Faber and the Rosso Fiorentino gear has been compared favorably, but I much prefer the RF sound.  RF is not a 'small' company, but they haven't saturated the US market yet.

+1 Joseph Audio Perspectives 

So that you know I ask this question just to help others in THIER search. My gato FM6 is a beast. GATO FOR LIFE! 

Audio thesis. I will,get out there over the break for a listen