bhuff
Thought I would chime in as its been a week of silence. The Hawthorn offerings generally are efficient, and mid range dominate, but at the cost of deep bass extension and smoothness. With the right set up, electronics and source material they can and are enjoyable.
The Manzanita family is, by intension, smoother, less efficient and usually offer one or more octaves of additional bass extension. Each design has its merits. I am, of course VERY prejudice... and you will take that into account.
The Hawthorne designs seem to have a robust following, which implies they do more right than wrong. For a few years at LSAF there have been rooms with various Hawthorn set ups as well as several of my Manzanita designs. Both have been well received.
Clear as mud... right!!
You just have to spend time with both designs and then and only then can a meaningful comparison be made. Not easy to do.