ascend sierra tower with raal or Focal Aria 936

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.

@contuzzi, are you saying that Ascend's (or any manufacturer that sells directly to the consumer, in any industry) business model has no bearing on the way they price their products?  You not only said it means nothing, but you capitalized the entire word for emphasis.  Are you actually saying that their pricing is in no way whatsoever derived from the cost structure of their business model?

Contuzzi, the ID business model is far different from the B&M model.  No stores, no salespeople, no marketing to speak of and no ad campaigns.  Typically, they add a margin to the cost of their products and sell it in a marketplace that is probably very budget conscious.  

And, there is no 'extra money'.  If a given price drives a certain amount of sales, Economics 101 tells us that a lower price raises demand, and revenues.  We the consumers don't have to pay for B&M stores, marketing campaigns, fancy packaging\excessive bling in the product, nor the markup going from wholesale to retail.  

Plus, Ascend Acoustic speakers are Made in the  USA, including the cabinets.  I'm pretty sure any imported drivers come from Europe, not Asia, and for sure it's assembled in the USA, not some factory in China with disregard to human rights.