Thanks Mike!
One other thing I am concerned about with the 9s is listening distance.As I've mentioned in my own thread, I find I need at least 8 feet from the O series for them to have good high frequency life and coherency. Whereas my seating requires speakers to be a bit closer. I'm therefore wondering if the necessary 8 foot distance only pertains to the design of the O series, or whether there's something in the way John Devore designs his speakers that makes the gibbons also less amenable to closer seating distances. If you get a chance to audition the 9s maybe you could try moving to a closer listening position - e.g. under 8 feet - to briefly check out if they maintain their high end and coherency when closer.