Stone, Good evening, I guess it's time for a Vantage owner to chime with my two cents. Downsizing....?? I assume your moving ? Your Ascent's don't look out of place in your present system , and besides you have had them for two years and I assume "love" the sound in "your" enviroment(electronics,up-stream source,cabling,Hard-wood flooring and various other room accoustics). So when you audditioned the Vantage at your local audio salon you were not impressed, I'm not too surprised at that for the simple fact that there were too many variables in the audio stores presentation vs. what you are used too. I really think that any current M/L owner who is pleased with their current system and is thinking of something "new" needs to home audition to be sure.
FWIW, I was coming off a pair of Klipsch RF-7's so for me it was a no-brainer !!
I thought i would never find a speaker that would better the music to $$ factor that my Maggie 3.6 gave me..... I was wrong and I smile every day that I sit down and listen ! Good Luck !!