ascend sierra tower with raal or Focal Aria 936

I've never read one single review of the Aria series that's described them as bright or harsh. 
I also don't believe buying factory direct buys a better speaker for the money. Speakers generally command a price based on their qualities, not what they cost to build. 
Beyond all that, I'd never buy a speaker I can't hear first. Choosing based on hear-say, opinions, and reviews is like choosing a wife based on text messages. 

Well if you want to marry a pair of speakers, I guess.   The internet sales model is far different than the retail method, and is indeed based on what they cost to build.   The retail speaker brand will gin up its qualities and get print media types to "rave" about them so as to "command" a premium price.  Hey, its your money, spend as much as you want.

I seriously doubt what they ask has anything to do with what they cost to make. What's more, speaker companies hardly go around petitioning the likes of Stereophile to review and rave about their products. If a product is that good and that attention-getting at audio shows it'll be competently reviewed. 
If I had to choose between speakers sight unseen, some from a company renowned around the world for it's quality, engineering prowess, and for supplying the drivers for many other renowned speakers, and some from a company who's products I couldn't find with a search warrant, I'm going with the former every single time. 
Maybe there are speakers better than 936's, but I wouldn't dream of buying $4000 without extensively listening to my options. I'm always surprised when these kinds of threads pop up because nobody's opinion is going to matter in someone else's listening room. Ya just gotta listen to the things. The 936's we're the best I was able to find and listen to. If a manufacturer can't appreciate the importance of physically placing their product in the marketplace, but would rather depend on internet ad copy to win the day, I wouldn't take them very seriously. 
Just one guy's opinion... But it sounds good in my listening room. 

If you're surprised at this thread, then you must get surprised an awful lot, because EVERY audio forum is chock full of threads asking for owner's impressions of their gear. It's how people develop a short list these days as the internet has changed the game.

And of course you want to audition speakers before deciding, it doesn't matter if they cost $4000 or $40.  I'd rather audition speakers with my gear in my room over 30 days before deciding, rather than doing it in a sometimes badly set up sound room in an audio store, with a salesperson who may not know what they're talking about or who is pressuring me to buy now.  YMMV.

213runnin:  Assuming that Ascend is doing a charity by not just taking the extra money they would be giving to dealers is so short sighted.  Just because they are manufacturer direct means NOTHING.  If you were in their shoes, would you throw away profit for no reason?  If so, you’d be a terrible businessman.