Most beautiful speakers in the world ?

[Kal Rubinson]

I searched for "ugliest speakers" on google and found about a third of all speakers mentioned here.
High End Audio manufacturers, take notice!

That has happened on multiple websites over many years: De gustibus non est disputandum.

 

[Dialectic]

Does anyone else inexplicably like old Snells?

EDIT: I guess not. I like them because they look like speakers and do not try to resemble anything else.

I enjoyed this interview with Kevin Voecks (later of Revel) about his work at Snell. https://www.stereophile.com/interviews/390voecks/index.html

Being a millennial audiophool, I've never heard Snells.

 

[Hai-Fri. Audio]

I know that a lot of people find the B&W 800 series ugly, but I think the 802 D3 with prestige finish is a very nice looking speaker.

I agree wholeheartedly (tad biased : D ). Difficult to capture the rosewood's color shifts as lighting conditions change. Truly a feast for both senses. Anyway, here's some more eye candy for anyone interested:

 

[mononoaware]

Trying to fit in here. . . came across this image and thought it was a speaker.

Turns out it’s a $69,990 Monoblock amplifier.

 

[redshift]

Trying to fit in here. . . came across this image and thought it was a speaker.

Turns out it’s a $69,990 Monoblock amplifier.

Why one when you can get two for double the price?

Now is a SMR nuclear reactor included in the price?

 

[mononoaware]

Now is a SMR nuclear reactor included in the price?

I am not sure. . . but they refer to THD in parts per billion. . .
So Large hadron collider?

“I know one thing it’s good for ! Smashing pumpkins !”

Sorry this just came up in my head not sure if it’s funny or not. . .

 

[Blaspheme]

Trying to fit in here. . . came across this image and thought it was a speaker.

Turns out it’s a $69,990 Monoblock amplifier.

The first time I saw and heard those (their predecessor actually, same appearance) was also my first afternoon with Focal Grande Utopia pictured early in this thread. Brainchild of Bruce Candy. You see a few originals popping up on Audiogon, etc, I was tempted a while back.

Halcro was taken over and mothballed, then re-emerged with the very similar design you picture here, at a substantially higher price. That converts to < AUD$100K, actually cheaper than pre-announced, unless the markup here is the usual skewering, a bit rich from an actual Australian company—yes, Len Wallis lists them at $138K a pair, or > $30K over exchange rate+GST. Australian Hi-Fi retailers are pretty fucked up.

 

[mononoaware]

$138K a pair, or > $30K over exchange rate+GST. Australian Hi-Fi retailers are pretty fucked up.

Never heard of Halcro. . . and I am sure there are more expensive options, for reasons unknown. . . how many do they expect to sell per year? 0.25 units?

 

[redshift]

I am not sure. . . but they refer to THD in parts per billion. . .
So Large hadron collider?

“I know one thing it’s good for ! Smashing pumpkins !”

Sorry this just came up in my head not sure if it’s funny or not. . .

Haha, right. Crushing Cars perhaps?

Parts per goddamned billion and then hooked up to the worst offenders of fidelity - loudspeakers.

 

[Blaspheme]

Never heard of Halcro. . . and I am sure there are more expensive options, for reasons unknown. . . how many do they expect to sell per year? 0.25 units?

Australian company, as mentioned. Notable for producing the first high-power low distortion amplifiers (ignoring the questionable numbers delivered by the THD wars of the 70s). Back then—before the days of Benchmark and Purifi—getting down below 0.001% THD+N across the audible spectrum at ~150 watts wasn't expected.

They were always expensive: USD$25K/pair for the original DM58 monoblocs circa 2002; USD$18K for the stereo DN38 circa 2004 (the one I eyed off on Audiogon last year for AUD$7K) and USD$40K for the DM88 monoblocs circa 2006.

They sold a few, probably > 0.25 per annum I'd wager.

 

[Harmonie]

Trying to fit in here. . . came across this image and thought it was a speaker.

Turns out it’s a $69,990 Monoblock amplifier.

That Halcro amp is not new and I remember it many years ago on Stereophile's front page.
Additionally, it may be a good surprise, as the price you mention is for the pair

Sorry, just noted that @Blaspheme showed the source.

 

[mononoaware]

Additionally, it may be a good surprise, as the price you mention is for the pair

I also linked the source in the price text.
Weirdly the “stereo” version is half price with 2 channel amplification.

So you pay double for single Monoblock design (equivalent to quadruple per channel)?

 

[Harmonie]

I also linked the source in the price text.
Weirdly the “stereo” version is half price with 2 channel amplification.

So you pay double for single Monoblock design (equivalent to quadruple per channel)?

Monoblock design costs very often more than a stereo design.
However, here the ratio is a bit harsh and the final amount certainly significant though.


So why don't you publish the Halcro on the Audiophile jewellery thread ?

 

[mononoaware]

Monoblock design costs very often more than a stereo design.
However, here the ratio is a bit harsh and the final amount certainly significant though.


So why don't you publish the Halcro on the Audiophile jewellery thread ?

I think the standard is too low for the Jewellery thread.
They seem to prefer actual “jewels” embedded in the product.

 

[Harmonie]

I think the standard is too low for the Jewellery thread.
They seem to prefer actual “jewels” embedded in the product.

Anyhow, speaking of jewels ... they won't get mine

 

[mononoaware]

Anyhow, speaking of jewels ... they won't get mine

I see you have managed to fit into the Jewellery thread with your last post.

 

[Tovarich007]

Look what have I found!

a mint Jamo D 830/Concert 8... and it's beautiful and sounds great as well.

View attachment 141688View attachment 141689View attachment 141690View attachment 141691View attachment 141692View attachment 141693

This is an excellent model from Jamo, probably the best speaker this brand has ever released, using top range SEAS drivers and, indeed, a beautiful cabinet.

Very good purchase. How much did you pay for it ?

 

[richard12511]

I agree wholeheartedly (tad biased : D ). Difficult to capture the rosewood's color shifts as lighting conditions change. Truly a feast for both senses. Anyway, here's some more eye candy for anyone interested:

View attachment 143173View attachment 143174View attachment 143175

I think the 800 series separate mud section towers are my absolute favorite.

 

[Zvu]

This is an excellent model from Jamo, probably the best speaker this brand has ever released, using top range SEAS drivers and, indeed, a beautiful cabinet.

Very good purchase. How much did you pay for it ?

While i agree that these are beautifull, there are also Jamo R909 and Jamo R907 which look better, used Seas and Peerless drivers and are very well engineered. Last good speakers from that company in my opinion. Everything after that looks and sound awful.

 

[zanlation]

The best looking speakers is an emotional response. So, DIY will always be the best. I love my spotted gum baffles. Each speaker is unique. The driver is a Mark Audio 7.