Dawgbyte and Hrcapers - gentlemen, thank you both for your responses - I appreciate your time. I intend to contact Madisound on Monday to learn if they have had some previous experience w/ this particular brand and model. Judging from their website, I'm feeling a little better for thinking they can help.
Hrcapers - do you know if the T-5 and the T-8 used the same tweeters. Judging from a couple pictures leads me to think they did (Vifa?) although I can find nothing similar in the current Vifa online catalog. I did muster the courage to fire up a favorite CD this aft, and must say I didn't readily hear a difference. Albeit, I suffer from high freq hearing loss and do not feel qualified to offer the final word. Also, may I ask if the exterior metal dome is responsible for correct dispersion, or is it some type of cover. If the former, then I can't imagine one of them functioning properly, as the complete left side of the sphere is totally smashed in and I may add, more in a crumpled fashion. The other has a simple dent - lord knows how both were damaged when they are 8 feet apart - I dare not speculate - nothing positive could come from it. Add to this the thoughts of lost "virginity" and I've not been a happy camper, losing their original condition.
Final note - I've found the thread started by Mitchb, and the Seas Millenium looks to be a contender - hmm? Who knows where this will end :~)
Again, thanks...
Tom