With respect to manufacturing finished product, and that includes the crew at Longmont, the history is one of general incompetence and cost cutting that has come to bite both the consumer and AV451. Until such time as you hear from him directly by written word as to what his exact and specific involvement is, I would discount anything they say. They're famous for dropping names and shortly thereafter, dropping the ball. If you're hell bent on ID brands, and that's fine, there are some out there that have far superior track records, stock replacement parts, have intelligent and skilled designers, contract with modern factories that actually bring economies of scale to bear, and deal with generally superior suppliers.
I'd look to sell my existing speakers on the open market and not have to rely upon shipping them. You know they'll find something wrong and inform you that they'll be sending them back at your cost. Unless you're willing to accept less that is. Really now. How many times do you have to keep going back to the same hooker and have to get treated for the same STD's? Eventually, you'll get burned forever.
