No frills speaker manufacturers

Tekton Design to your first question. To your second question, I’d probably buy something from Focal, Sonus Faber, or Wilson. I’ve owned two pairs of Tektons and I likely won’t buy another pair because, to me, looks do matter. I’ve liked the sound of most of the Tekton models I have heard but not the looks.

Vandersteen’s cloth covered models and ATC studio series.

GR Research, absolutely. Danny Richie is an excellent designer, and offers his loudspeakers as kits only. However, as noted above the enclosures are offered as flat packs (and even fully assembled and painted or veneered if so desired) by closely-affiliated woodworkers. Watch his videos on YouTube (easy to find. Just do a search for GR Research) to learn more about what he offers.

Try the CONFIGURATOR 

www.blueprintAcoustic.com

For example:  Buchardt S400 MK II

A direct to consumer speaker, so less profit margin than most other companies.

All the rage on youtube review channels, everybody absolutely LOVES it

Said to have much better crossover parts than any speaker in this price range.

"Best speaker you could possibly buy for $2000"

And yet, when i add up the cost of tweeters, woofers, radiators, it is $600/pair

$600 for parts in a $2000 pair of speakers.  (i know i ignored the Xover cost)

Now, when you buy a KIT you may decide to spend $1800 on parts and $200 on wood, glue, paint, and you will have parts that cost 3X what S400 MK II is using but you didn't spend any more money at all.  And spending 3X will get you pretty close to the best parts in the whole world.  Of course they need to be incorporated into a good design.  You should go with a Kit Designer who is well known and has a lot of good feedback.