Obscure brands worth considering

Charney Audio in Somerset, NJ. They make full range single driver rear loaded horns based on the Tractrix theory. No steps in the horn just smooth and expanding on all sides. Impressive to listen to and equally impressive to look at...a true work of art in every aspect.

http://charneyaudio.com/speakers.html

http://www.audiokinesis.com/   dont forget old Duke 

Classic Audio is not very well known either, I thnk.

Absolutely!

2 or 3 that compete with the "high-priced spread" at a fraction of the price are these:

Wavetouch Audio Grand Teton's / Antero's
Linkwitz Orion's or LX521's
AudioKinesis Dream Maker's / Jazz Module's
Lahave Audio Mela's

All of these have incredible sound quality that compete with the best available.  

However, because they are "obscure," they are more difficult to resell than the big brand names.

I'm not sure I would buy from "obscure" company again.  Hyperion Sound, I bought speakers from, went bankrupt (very poor marketing) and now I cannot replace drivers or Xover if necessary.  Drivers are "exotic" to make it worse.