Ascendo C8 Renaissance: any opinions?

Is there any chance of actually hearing them in person? Have you auditioned the Harbeths, they have a very pronounced style in my view?

If you're in the northern NJ area, there is an Ascendo dealer in Bernardsville, NJ (Audio 202--very nice place and owner). I have heard a couple of Ascendo speakers there, but not the C8s. I listened to one of their top of the line models and felt it was truly world class, one of the best speaker systems I had ever heard (and at its then $45K price it had better be!). I also listened to a Series D model, and thought it sounded quite natural, musical and involving as well. But you really should hear them in person--as with the Harbeths, the Ascendos have a "sound". Having heard Harbeths too, I would say that while they do not sound identical at all, they are similar in that neither of these two brands is for the "boom and sizzle" crowd, but aimed more for the music lover. Just my opinion.

By the way, you can get a bit of information from the website, just click on the English button in the lower left part of the home page to get the text in English.

Thanks to you both for your thoughts. Mechans, I pretty much have to go on the opinons and reviews I read for a couple reasons. First I would have to drive to Boston or NYC to find a dealer that sells anything other than sound bars. Second, It would bother me to waste a dealers time knowing that I'm going to search for used equipment. And in the case of most speakers that have piqued my interest, that's what I'd have to do. I've audited gear when others are shopping, but I just try to be a fly on the wall, and not get in the way. Honestly this approach isn't ideal, but I've only been disappointed once (with a Mc amp of all things).

I realize these are two very different approaches to design. the Harbeth fans are so enthusiastic, that I feel like it's a safer bet. I simply want to sit back and let the music take over. I don't mind a slightly colored presentation, even if it's not audiophile appoved...my preamp has tone controls, heresy, I know. I do listen a lot at lower volumes (late night, early morning). The reported SHL5 performance at lower levels sounds like what I'm looking for.

I gather that the Ascendo is a cleaner, more detailed presentation, but there's a small part of me that thinks all the money for this speaker is going into the box's fit and finish. An opposed to the Harbeth, which despite its inflated US price, seems to have had more r&d time in getting the sound
right.

Thanks again for the input.