I don't think people that would buy those AN speakers actually read any audio forums. They are probably too busy doing what they do.
They send out there minions to put together systems for them with the approval of their decorators.
This may sound strange but I will try to find the Wall St Journal link to an article about an audio dealer in NYC that specializes in just that, putting together systems for the very rich, usually assembled for approval by the decorator, and this dealer does very well indeed.
The problem here is that we are mixing us, the meat and potato audiophile, with the well heeled gent that buys very expensive audio gear...two very different people with very different reasons for assembling a system, hence the disparity of our feelings, especially regarding price.
That AN speaker is an anomaly..it is a freak that was allowed to be....and being so outlandish is seems right to be subject to some criticism, it happens all day long with other products, like super expensive houses or boats or planes, what makes this so freakish is that the super expensive house is usually gigantic with all sorts of over the top amenities, or the boat is super big with a submarine and gold anchors, but what we have here is a plain jane stolen design, a simple design priced like it was something more than it is...sort of the emperors new clothes if you will.
If 99% see it as a rip off and 1% see it as a good deal what does that say?
and in defense of the super expensive house or yacht, I am in favor of that because I like to see how far we as humans we can go. Yet a 3 million dollar Boston Whaler would make me scratch my head and wonder why?
Just normal, natural...and human
Class warfare? I think not. Jealous of their money..most likely, jealous that they bought that speaker? ..most likely not...just curious who would buy that speaker, even if they had unlimited sums of money, Ultimately it is us middle class wondering why a wealthy person, someone we wish we were, and believe that they must have some superior mind to become wealthy would all of a sudden not see it as we do...a terriffic waste of money, buying yachts and ferraris we understand,,,buying little 2 way monitors at that price makes us wonder................no class warfare