The 40's don't image or project sound like a line array. You'll find I think that due to a lot of the midrange coming from the top 12" woofer that they image much higher than the Alphas (which are larger, and as large as the RMX's).
They're a WMMTMMW array. Much diff. from the Alphas true line array layout.
I still own the Newform Research 645's that the Alphas replaced.
They use 4 ~$145 7" (often called world class) Scan Speak 8545's in the 1000Hz on down range which is very close to the range the 18 6" Alpha woofers are run and the Alpha line was very very clearly better in speed, transparency, realism, etc... but tonally it sounds very similar -both being thick paper cones.
The Newforms IMO had some quirks I wanted fixed but otherwise I think beat a LOT of other high end speaker themselves.
The Alphas IMO beat the Newforms in everyway. Some subtle, other NOT subtle.
Woofer for woofer -and I've had them side by side... the Scan Speak looks like it's a better driver, but in the speakers it's not even close.
The woofer in the Newforms don't mate perfectly with their 45" 3 section quasi-ribbon whereas the Alphas are 100% seamless between their planar and woofers so that easily beats the Newforms.
The Scan Speak 8545 is used on LOTS of super costly high end incl. every version of the Wilson WATT/puppy.
I've heard the Sonus Faber Cremonas which use Scan Speak's best woofers (the only step above the 8545's and I think what the Wilson MAXX use?) the Revelators and IMO you just can't at all do what a line of woofers can do no matter how incredible the one or two woofers used are.
Heard Martin Logan's Prodigys on down and they almost always sounded ragged on the highs and always sounded weak in the dynamics and poor imaging.
Avantguarde horns, Quad's, Magnepan, Revel Salons, vmps, etc... lots of very high end well know names and VERY diff. designs, and the only speakers I thought sounded as dynamic, realistic, effortless were the Epiphanies Danny also designed.
There's a lot of diff. ways to make a speaker of course and lots of diff. 'sounds' but attributes like soundstage, dynamics, accurate freq resp./tonaility are things all these great speakers I think are trying to do.
Maybe it'd be helpful to you if you take it point by point what you like in this or that other speaker?
Some people know a LOT about what's inside those other speakers and can maybe relate specific diff. vs. the Alphas to you.
The effi. of the Alphas means you can use about any amp you want and takes little power to drive them loud.
When driven loud you can put your face right up to each little woofer and can hardly see it move at all vs. a speaker using large bass woofers where you can easily see them moving from across the room.
What this means for music for example... This Chinese drum track which in real life is uses HUGE drums and plays DEEP.
On the Alphas is sounds and images 'real' IMO. On even systems that sound outstanding in many ways... it sounds like subwoofer drivers playing really good quality bass. That's VERY impressive... but just not the same as sounding 'real'.
Once broken in the Alphas can image VERY sharp while still allowing a very wide soundstage. This puts so much air between instruments and makes orchestras sound as powerful, dynamic, deep and HUGE as they are in real life, etc...
The Alphas can handle a huge amount of power too so that combined with needing so little to drive them means you'll never come close to driving them hard or getting real distortion like you will get from any 'world class' regarded cones/planars/ribbons/domes, etc... driven hard.
The driver sections are level matched so there's no padding on either section to match eachother like you will almost always find on most other speakers. All the more pure signal path.
It's shocking to see the x-overs of so many SUPER costly speakers. A real shame too.
The speed and detail of 16 neo planars is astounding IMO.
Crossing over to the woofers playing the full midrange and bass gives you full impact in those ranges and playing those sub 12' long freq. I think they sound as fast as any of the planar speakers I've heard -none of which give you that realisitic impact untill they cross to bass woofers.
The diff. is very clear if you get a chance to hear it IMO.
I hate to RAVE about anything but they're just such an outstanding speaker and untouchable price IMO.
'If' those mega buck systems were kits... they'd all be FAR cheaper than the store brands so it's good to see you talk about clones or some of them, but I think if you compare the details of the assorted designs you'll see why the Alphas shine like so many have said they do.
It's not exageration or magic or clever advertizing b.s. that explains it. That was one of the best things about the design IMO. It's clear and easy to see and explain why it does what it does and why most other speakers just can't do what it can.
I could go on and on but I'll leave it at that for now.
