Do you care about speaker looks / appearance?

[Sal1950]

So you like these?

I love em!

 

[Doodski]

I love em!

Yeah they are awesome...

 

[Tell]

So you like these?

Oh wow, I didn't mean tapered like that. I can see the pros of having boxes like that, but no I didn't really like them as they are now no, but without that big slanting sides and in a better light those might look good imo.
Instead I mean something like this. Couldn't find any other good example now when I did a fast google so I'll just show you my own speakers, a pair of Ino Audio piP. Not the best finish up close, but I do like the overall look of them.

 

[Doodski]

Oh wow, I didn't mean tapered like that. I can see the pros of having boxes like that, but no I didn't really like them as they are now no, but without that big slanting sides and in a better light those might look good imo.
Instead I mean something like this. Couldn't find any other good example now when I did a fast google so I'll just show you my own speakers, a pair of Ino Audio piP. Not the best finish up close, but I do like the overall look of them.
View attachment 361266

Yeah I like light oak or light walnut too. You have those same tweeters?

 

[Penelinfi]

Oh wow, I didn't mean tapered like that. I can see the pros of having boxes like that, but no I didn't really like them as they are now no, but without that big slanting sides and in a better light those might look good imo.
Instead I mean something like this. Couldn't find any other good example now when I did a fast google so I'll just show you my own speakers, a pair of Ino Audio piP. Not the best finish up close, but I do like the overall look of them.
View attachment 361266

Since they are a little rustic, your next upgrade are these : (stereophile)

 

[Tell]

Yeah I like light oak or light walnut too. You have those same tweeters?

Yup those are my tweeters.

Since they are a little rustic, your next upgrade are these : (stereophile)

View attachment 361268

Oh those looks quite nice from the front! But the sides doesn't really work for me, but I give them an A for the steampunk effort ^^


@goat76 Hello, nice to see you here!

 

[DJNX]

I just wasn’t born to find beauty in speakers. I mostly divide speakers into type of ugliness:

-Inoffensive bulky boxes that try (but fail) to blend in, like the KEF R3.
-Weird exotic things that stand out like a sore thumb, like the KEF Blades.
-Drab driver containers, like the Genelecs.
-Ungodly frankensteins, like the Wilsons.

Don’t know why it is like these with speakers. Other gear I definitely find really aesthetically pleasing and desirable.

 

[JyPay]

For me proportions and eye appeal are very important. I tried to obtain the best I can do with my DIY speakers. I'm always delighted to see them, and even more delighted to hear them. The two aspects are in my opinion really important. But I am no so objective

 

[goat76]

@goat76 Hello, nice to see you here!

Nice to see you too!

And to speaker designs…
I usually prefer speakers that look like speakers. While looking around in my local HiFi store I think about 90% of all speakers look over-designed, plastic, and way too glossy.

I tried to visualize the KEF Blades in my living room and they would definitely look misplaced, I think I would need to redesign my room more as an alien spaceship from Halo if it's going to work.

I think Linn usually makes beautiful speakers, the active Akubatik with the electronics and amps built into the stands are nicely designed. They look very similar to my ATC SCM11s when I think about it.

 

[bluefuzz]

Of course, this consideration is essentially limited to North America, Europe and parts of Asia as well as Australia [ ... ] even for someone who can save around 500 euros a month, these speakers are within reach.

I live in one of the most expensive countries in Europe and earn a fairly average wage. I am by no means poor or even need to spend money on a car. While I could theoretically set aside €500 a month (if I stopped eating etc.) I would still have to save for nearly five years to buy a pair of KEF Blades at current prices.

This is way beyond what I would consider 'normal' ...

 

[Mart68]

I've no problem with the high tech look of Wilsons. I think their price/performance level gets
them in trouble with the measurement sensibilities here.
The ones I would never own are the art/deco designs such as Vivid Giva's or the B&W Nautilus. OMG, no thanks.
JMHO

With you on the Gayas, but I could live with the Nautilus - until the day I trip over the speaker cable and impale myself on those spikes.

 

[egellings]

Indeed - I don't mind the looks of these Wilsons at all but I'm pretty certain I'm in the minority as anytime a pic of them is put up there's a barrage of posts exclaiming how awful they look

I wouldn't curbside 'em if I had 'em. I'd just deal with the looks and enjoy the sound. Fortunately, that's a decision I'll never have to make due to their stratospheric price.

 

[Mart68]

I live in one of the most expensive countries in Europe and earn a fairly average wage. I am by no means poor or even need to spend money on a car. While I could theoretically set aside €500 a month (if I stopped eating etc.) I would still have to save for nearly five years to buy a pair of KEF Blades at current prices.

This is way beyond what I would consider 'normal' ...

I live in a country so expensive that the big corporations call it 'Treasure Island.'

Did find some ex-demo Blades for £15.5K the other day. About 8 months take-home pay.

But I'm old and could buy them out of my savings. Rather have some JBL 4367 though, and they're cheaper!

 

[DLS79]

There are designs like this Avalon that will never fit into my home..the only positive point with these speakers is that children naturally move away from them.

They have a Darth Vader/Cylon vibe!

 

[Stick Figure]

For now I'm in to the vintage look. I have a pair of JBL L52 black edition. Both me and my wife love the look. My amplifier is the Yamaha AS-801 that also has the vintage style.