Talon Khorus - Why So Many So Cheap?


I have read many rave reviews of these speakers and am intrigued why such an expensive speaker ($14 - $16K new) is so commonly available in the $3 - $4K range. I have also noted the propensity of some who have heard the speakers to describe them as "love 'em or hate 'em". Unfortunately I am not situated in an area where I can audition these speakers but am impressed with the reported attributes of the Khorus. As I am in the market for speakers, any feedback anyone might provide would be appreciated.
zygat
I was offered for them the price of $6500 demo-used from the respected dealer and auditioned them in relatively good and treated room and they sounded boxy and laid back like the sound would never come out these pyramids even on significantly large volume levels. The source and amplification components were solid rated class A and sure worth their ratings. I figured that they're not worth $6500... Maybe with X- crossover modification they might do the right job for the money but there the price for them dropped bellow $4k since it still need work to sound. And I would say man, I want to listen to the music, not to the Khorus indeed!

Everything there was present bass increadibly low and deep, mids, highs, dynamics except the main i.e. music and that's where the rest of speakers in this price range outperform them.

To prove my observation I'd like someone to try to get used Avantgarde Unos that can't outperform Khorus' bass, slam, and certainly volume for the same used price as Khorus. I'm not tobe here among the horn lovers but Unos let's shortly say did a bunch of things that I realy love during hm... 2 hours of auditioning comparing to fatiguing 30min of Khorus...
I've owned the Verity Parcifal Encores, Magnepan 3.6s, Usher 8871s, Khoruses (in that order), currently live with a DIY speaker called the Orion by Linkwitz and have listened extensively to at least 10 speakers retailing over $10,000. That said, I have regarded the Khoruses from their first iteration to most currrent version as among the best speakers I've ever listened to. They are musical, seamless and very dynamic. I would take issue with those who say they are overpriced above $10,000, they are not. They are fair value (relative to what is fair value in this hobby!) at their retail price and a steal in the $4,000 to $8,000 range. At this class of speakers it's like comparing Sacher Torte to Strawberry cheese cake, whether it's the Kharmas, Wilsons, Dynaudios or Talons, it boils down to taste and effective selection of associated components.

Talon was the subject of controvery from the very beginning, running up against an established line up of speaker companies. Their continued pursuit of product improvements and revisions to their lines have caused significant aftermarket price reductions. This has obviously angered alot of people (Talon owners included) and probably was not the best business decision, but does reflect Talon's dedication to excellence. For this, they should be commended and for those who want high end sound at low prices and are willing not to have the latest model, a great opportunity!
As a Khorus (non-X) owner, I also think they're a good deal at their used prices. Whether YOU like them or not is another story. I've recently owned Genesis V, Proac 3.5, Dunlavy Aletha, and I like the Khorus best. But the highs do seem a bit subdued. And the mids can be a bit thick/over-ripe. But they're very musical, to me anyway, and draw me in to the performance in a way and to a degree the others haven't. And they play all kinds of music well.
I haven't found used prices a very consistent of quality. For example, I sold the Dunlavys for more than the Genesis, but felt the Genesis to be much superior, at least in my set-up.