I have a Makala MK-B, which I bought new, is considered a cheapo, but it plays sweet, needed no setup, intonation is spot on out of the box, and even has a truss rod and paid only $83. It is tuned re-entrant CFAD.
I also have a Lanikai LU-21B, which I got used, also considered 'entry-level' but has also an impossibly sweet and deep tone, plays like a dream, intonation is very good, and is tuned linear DGBE.
Having these two has reduced any lust I might have for more expensive baritones. I am very satisfied. (I also play and own several concerts and tenors)...
One day I would like to try a vintage Vega Arthur Godfrey bari model, but have never played one, so if it sounds/plays bad, then this might be just a passing fancy based upon the historical significance of this instrument.
There's always tons of love here on the forum for Pono baritones, but I don't recall anything remarkable other than that for maybe the past year at least.