Who makes the finest full range loudspeaker?

Find a shop that carries these speakers. It might be kind of hard. You might have to go to the manufacturer directly for some. The 800D is probably the smallest of the group. And maybe the cheapest?
Not to sound rude but, do you have the means for purchasing these? I would love to hear the Focals!
At these economies of scale, it probably comes down to which one looks good to you. Let us know which ones you get!
Re reading your post, I see we are playing fantasy speakers!
My vote is on the Focals. Although for funky looks, there was a German Physiks model that was really cool!
My next vote would be the Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl. Because they are huge and they are attainable by most on the used market!

For a truly full-range speaker with money not being much of a problem... I'd definitely want to hear Dynaudio's Consequence rather than Evidence series. With the bottom end at a very low 17Hz, that's one pair of speakers you don't need to use subs with.

Arvus Prerenaissance
Frequency response: 17Hz – 43kHz +/- 1dB
Maximum continuous output: 120dB
Total height: 2.25M
Depth at base: 940mm
Plinth width: 700mm
Total weight: 348kg each
http://www.arvusloudspeakers.com/pre..._overview.html

These "who's the best" threads are pretty ridiculous but still fun.

Peak Consult Dragons?...
http://www.peak-consult.dk/

Magico Ultimate II or M5 or Model6?...
http://magico.net/Company/index.php

JBL DD66000 Everest II?...
http://www.jbl.com/EN-GB/Products/Pa...?PID=DD66000EB

B&W Nautilus?...
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speake.../Overview.html

Just some ideas

Oh, I believe it. I also believe you could throw some models in that are only a few thousand dollars and in a blind test they would be chosen by more people than we care to admit.

These "elite" speakers have to be one of the biggest rackets going. I haven't experienced the six figure options, but have a few in the 30-40k range...and just didn't get it.

First that comes to mind is the Watt Puppy. Don't get me wrong...very nice, but not much worth the cost difference over something like...say, Paradigm Studio 100's. I'm sure others will disagree, but....hey, that's audio!

I agree with you 100%. I heard a pair of Wilsons once at a dealer (I think the same one as the picture above with the square/boxy look) and frankly, I'd pass.

I then heard their B&W showcase system.... pass again, although I LOVED the bazillion dollars worth of McIntosh they were using!

Here's affordable (under $7K/pair) and killer sound, especially if you want dymamics.

I'm very interested in the Salk Soundscapes

http://www.salksound.com/soundscape12%20%20images.htm

I think the days of conspicuous consumption are behind us. With that in mind, (used) Salon 1 or 2 and PSB T8 are the best choices on your list. The Salons IMHO are among the best speakers availalable at any price.

How about Danley SH50's or something from Meyer (X-10 or Archeron)?
Seaton Catalysts would also be a great choice.

(I agree with matti).

Maybe so, but that's one of the beauties of sound equipment - it doesn't need to be conspicuous.

I don't think so.... we have short memories. The people that caused this "condition" haven't learned anything. I know several families in my personal circle that have gone through multiple bankruptcies and are STILL heading down that road today.

http://www.sunnycable.com/index.htm

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak010708.shtml

Sunny Cable Technology H3W18

Description: 3-Way system with bass reflect woofer and horn-loaded mid and high frequency drivers.
Frequency Response: 20 to 45,000 Hz
(-10dB: 15 to 100,000 Hz)
Sensitivity: 96 dB
Mid-Range Horn: 16.5 (42 cm diameter) and weighing 77 lbs (35 Kg). Original design with innovative material.
Mid-Range Driver: Compression driver with 4 voice coil, 110 mm diaphragm, neodymium magnet, 2 exit.
High Freq. Driver: 10 cm supertweeter with machine-milled pure brass housing and magnesium diaphragm.
Woofer: 18 bass reflect design. 4 voice coil. 450 watts power handling capability.
Crossover: Special design using the best commercially available components known for their fast speed and long term reliability. Unique design to balance the speed among drivers. Fully shielded and grounded.
Adjustments: Supertweeter: 4 dB levels in 8 steps.
Mid-Range: 3 dB levels in 6 steps.
Internal Wiring: Patent pending Time-Accurate cable design. Fully shielded and grounded.
Binding Posts: 7 total including one for grounding. Twi-wire and tri-amp connections possible. Unique design using the posts as clips only and not for conducting. Conductors are brought to the outside for direct contact with
speaker wire terminals. Binding posts are extra large, widely spaced for ease of connecting; and gold plated for beauty and durability.
Cabinet: Highest quality MDF with thickness ranging from 1 to 3. 3-piece modular design: mid and high frequency units secured together as one, bass unit and stand as the other two.
Finish: Black piano finish on all six sides.
Dimensions: Overall 74 H x 26 W x 29 D. (188 cm H x 66 cm W x 74 cm D)
Weight: Approx. 660 lbs (300Kg).
Remarks: This loudspeaker design is based on the same Time-Accurate cable design principle. Only the fastest, most accurate and technically advanced drivers of the highest quality are chosen, without regard to cost. The design took 10 years to refine and cumulated into a loudspeaker with complete integration of all drivers, capable of reproducing recorded material with unprecedented accuracy, realism and dynamics.
List Price: $88,000 a pair. Made in U.S.A.

I know too many rich people still making tons of money and spending even more.

Premium brands seldom take a hit like the mid range price tag brands. The rich still get to buy their toys and the rest struggle even more.

I have heard 1/2 of those brands listed in the OPs post and all of them have failed to meet my requirements.

I guess I come from a different school. Even if I had the means to buy these six figure speakers, I wouldn't. The law of deminishing returns applies to speakers very well. I would be very happy with some Focal Diablo Utopias and a Paradigm Sub 15. That would be under $20k.

The sunny cable speaker is interesting and I have read about it before. It has many my requirements and we are specing out large waveguides in DIY forum right now for the ultimate waveguide build. We can best that speaker easily and keep the $87K in the bank

According to Geddes this is the best designed speaker EVER



Updated pics here....






http://www.gedlee.com/



Geddes obviously does not spend the $$$ on looks

What are those?

Those are Geddes designs. Best sounding and best measured speaker in the world, just ask Dr. Geddes

One of the best that I have heard at its price point.

The designers on HGTV will find a place to cover them up.

If I had the money...

I am with you on these. I heard them at the RMAF and was totally impressed with them. I love the look and the sound was so nice. The price tag wasnt so nice though.