Before replying I was waiting to see if Mike Lenehan could make time in his busy schedule to post some info - he is obviously in the best position to answer this stuff. So I will do my best with what little I know - especially about the pricing issue which I is what I know least about.
What I posted about price is what was mentioned to me when I discussed getting a version of the ML2 that was as close as possible to the Reference which will be a lot more expensive. My understanding is the pricing structure on the site is the ML1 prices here in Australia which has recently been raised about 40% reflecting the move to a retail model. This is how ML1's and ML3's are sold in Australia. However the ML2's are very new - I am getting the second one being made - and my understanding is the pricing model for the sale of ML2 has not been decided yet so the quoted price does not reflect the price of a retail model with dealer overheads. It is quite possible they will go retail here in Australia so the Australian price may go up. However I know Mike, in conjunction with Rollo, is looking at a different model for the US that will likely mean lower prices for that market. This was the egg on my face I posted about - I did not know discussions on this had progressed on that front. Anyway I am sure that once the discussions are complete full details of the exact prices that will be charged in the US will be available. I am not privy to these discussions so I can't really say anything more except what I said in my initial post that the price of about $4850 is the ballpark - but don't hold me to anything.
I know a bit more about technical details since I quizzed Mike about that when I heard he late prototypes and ordered a pair - the pair I will be sending. It is a 2 way stand-mount with a 6.5 inch Peerless HDS woofer and either a HDS or Morel Supreme tweeter - but probably the Morel. It is a ported design using a proprietary alignment. The cabinet is lined with steel and the crossover is the result of many years development designed to be as flat as possible even 90 degrees off axis. I have seen the plots and it is.
To understand a bit more about the philosophy of this speaker check out an interview with Mike Lenehan:
http://www.stereo.net.au/articles/mike_lenehan_interview/Thanks
Bill