Olympica Nova III or V?

"....but became grating over time.started becoming edgy, clanky, piercing, edgy and clenched sounding and this was with the prescribed amps being used in the demo..."

The above description of sound was coming from the electronics... not due to the speakers... this is not the sound any Sonus Faber speakers bring to the table... This would be the sound fed them. 

@ghdprentice that character didn't change with any change in electronics. As I told the store what I was hearing and they kept switching to warm, solid state stuff and tube stuff and still that excess was present. So I can say that is definitely the speakers cos no combinations changed that

The shop told me first hand that those are the recommended components that are known to pair well with the Sonus Faber brand and it didn't help still

I don't think I can still say it was components

Then I have no explanation. I have twenty years of experience with Sonus Faber and they have never under any circumstances sounded like that. They are musical and forgiving speakers that sound natural. 

I've always been curious on the Sonus Faber offerings but have never been able to audition them.  I assume synergy is big with them like anything and room is a huge factor. 

Curious how someone can consider them harsh and grating and other people find them to be natural and forgiving.  I know we all have different preferences but seem like love or hate type designs from this conversation.  Of course it's one person in this thread but they're not the first person I've heard say they didn't enjoy the SF sound.  They certainly look gorgeous but that's personally a low priority for me when sound is concerned

One man's "transparent" is another man's "unforgiving." Some would consider the treble to be sweet, detailed, and refined, while to the ears of another, it's harsh and brittle. Bass can have an elegant bloom or a muddy boom. A natural and nuanced midrange might strike someone else as nasal and fatiguing.

Measurements aside, you like what you like, and you use the words that describe your preferences. Fortunately, we all get to buy whatever we want (and can afford)!