I think Jonathan has been a victim of two factors. One getting a new product into production often runs into totally unanticipated problems. I have personally know several small companies with great new products that have run into just incredible obstacles, such as small manufactures saying they cannot make more of a vital component. Fortunately for most of these companies, their sales developed slowly. This is Jonathan's second major problem, too much success. I too was wowed by what I heard in the prototype long ago.
I would not have purchased a pair based on the prototype given my experiences above. In fact I have equipment that I still use and like that is mine forever given the failure of the small company involved. I can say nothing about transparency, of course. I guess we will see if the more expensive speakers will succeed. I have heard no one say they are awful, so I guess they will survive, although they might not be a great bargain.
I would not have purchased a pair based on the prototype given my experiences above. In fact I have equipment that I still use and like that is mine forever given the failure of the small company involved. I can say nothing about transparency, of course. I guess we will see if the more expensive speakers will succeed. I have heard no one say they are awful, so I guess they will survive, although they might not be a great bargain.