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hmmmm
06-11-2005, 07:18 AM
This has probably been done before, but I was curious to know who you think makes the best looking speakers.

JohnMichael
06-11-2005, 09:47 AM
This has probably been done before, but I was curious to know who you think makes the best looking speakers.

Sonus Faber

Florian
06-11-2005, 10:47 AM
Finish= Sonus Faber Stradivarie Homage
Look= Apogee Scintilla (timeless)
Majestic look= Perigee Definitive

PAT.P
06-11-2005, 03:53 PM
This has probably been done before, but I was curious to know who you think makes the best looking speakers.
Martin Logan ,Von Schwekert (referance grade loudspeaker) B&W (NAUTILUS) Totem (Wind) .Im glad you did'nt ask who makes the best sounding speaker .Pat.P

topspeed
06-11-2005, 05:14 PM
SF's definitely belong on anyone's "Best Looking" list. Their woodwork is stunning.

I like Wilson Benesch for their hi-tech look and beautiful carbon fibre work.

Others would be B&W 800d's, Gershman, Revel, ML, and Innersound.

Eric Z
06-11-2005, 05:47 PM
The Krells look pretty darn cool- I like the rubber stringy concept in the place of the regular speaker cover.

http://www.abtelectronics.com/product/16232.html

jasmit
06-11-2005, 06:25 PM
California Audio Technologies. For somewhere between $12,000 and $2,000,000 they'll make the speaker of your dreams -- so they say.

Feanor
06-11-2005, 07:33 PM
This has probably been done before, but I was curious to know who you think makes the best looking speakers.
I rather like the Marten Design Coltranes ...

http://www.martendesign.com/english/index_eng.html

Geoffcin
06-11-2005, 07:37 PM
I dunno, the B&W Nautilus are one that really should be in the MOMA.

drseid
06-12-2005, 01:41 AM
My favorites are the Legacy Audio Whispers and everything from Salk Sound (take a look at the Veracity floorstander in particular).

Other favs are just about all of the Sonus Faber upper lines, and for something different, I really like the futuristic look of the Gallo Reference IIIs.

---Dave

20to20K
06-12-2005, 12:27 PM
I rather like the Marten Design Coltranes ...

http://www.martendesign.com/english/index_eng.html


Oh yeah...those Coltranes look sweet!

My other favs are Sonus Fabers Stradivaris, Meadowlard Blue Herons,
and B&W Naut 802's.

markw
06-12-2005, 01:16 PM
Tiny, almost invisible and for the price, sound awful. Hey, two outta three ain't too bad. At least Meat Loaf would say so. ;)

RGA
06-12-2005, 04:24 PM
These look funky http://www.cd-konzert.de/Produkte/Ejupiter.htm

And these are for those who like chess http://www.cabasse-usa.com/english/artis/ -- I heard these some years ago -- They look good don't sound great for the money -- usually the case when designing looks over sonics.

Feanor
06-12-2005, 04:43 PM
These look funky http://www.cd-konzert.de/Produkte/Ejupiter.htm

And these are for those who like chess http://www.cabasse-usa.com/english/artis/ -- I heard these some years ago -- They look good don't sound great for the money -- usually the case when designing looks over sonics.
I wonder how they sound?

theaudiohobby
06-13-2005, 03:43 AM
I wonder how they sound?

The Duevel sounds very good, though its ominidirectional dispersion pattern has profound effects on the soundstage and the image and this will not be to everyone's taste. Never heard the Cabasse, so cannot comment.

Worf101
06-13-2005, 06:51 AM
Ohm Walsh Series, Allison 4's.

Da Worfster :cool:

kexodusc
06-13-2005, 08:10 AM
Call me old fashioned guys, but I prefer the classic looking wood finish...nothing fancy. Maybe chamfered(rounded) edge or something, but no silver or gimmicky looks. Genelec and PMC have a few that look simple enough.

I do like some of Hi-Vi/Swans designs though as far as fancier looks go, even if they might be borrowing from B&W (they look better IMO).

topspeed
06-13-2005, 09:50 AM
I can't believe no one has mentioned B&O. Yeah, yeah, they're overpriced and don't sound that hot (except the Beo 5, which is quite nice), but they do look damn cool.

Tarheel_
06-13-2005, 10:05 AM
yes, they are contemporary looking...but in person they are stunning. At 270lbs each, rock solid and one can order any color comination. Audio bliss

E-Stat
06-13-2005, 10:05 AM
This has probably been done before, but I was curious to know who you think makes the best looking speakers.
I rather like Maggies because they don't look like speakers - more like decorative room dividers. While my current Sound Labs are a bit funky looking, my old Acoustats got a similar reaction. Folks would walk around them and ask "so where are the speakers?"

rw

goatspeed
06-14-2005, 11:01 AM
Totem winds are pretty nice looking speakers.

RJW1138
06-14-2005, 12:13 PM
Obviously, I don't find all the following to be "the best", but failing to make up my mind on that, here are a bunch that I quite like. I know a lot of these probably aren't considered very special looking by too many, but I mostly like simple and woody.

Totem
Monitor Audio
B&W (700 & 800 series)
ASW
Sonus Faber
Canton
Meadowlark
Von Schweikert (lower models)
Revel (older Performas)
Acoustic Energy (Reference)
RBH (some)

thepogue
06-14-2005, 12:19 PM
but I kinda like the blue logo on the ML Prodigy's....and I really like the look of Innersounds...and I love the big Legecy's...awesome looking

Pogue

pulsar19
06-14-2005, 04:32 PM
I think that Legacy Audio makes some gorgeous loudspeakers.I
liked the WHISPER the most,but I'd buy a no less than
fantastic SIGNATURE III.Its specs and reviews are also
amazing.

theviking
06-14-2005, 10:14 PM
NHT-ST4 Black gloss, considered one of the most beautiful speakers ever, awesome sound and a steal

vr6ofpain
06-14-2005, 10:31 PM
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue18/images/tablette.jpg i dont know much about it (too expensive to care), but I saw a pair on ebay once and was impressed by it visually.

T BOMB25
06-14-2005, 10:39 PM
Avalon eidolon,Usher Dancer CP8571,Dali Hellicon 400,Quad 11L,Totem Arrow,Mordaunt-Short Performance 6,Mordaunt-Short Avant 908

nightflier
06-15-2005, 03:10 PM
I can't believe no one has mentioned Audio Physic. The Kronos looks like it could be sitting in the messhall of the Starship Enterprise. I've never heard them, though, and apparently side-firing woofers are not ideal, but that's a smart looking speaker.

Don't care much for the cone-on-the-cabinet look of Wilson Audio speakers and their ilk. I suppose they sound much better than they look, though.

I really do have to tip my hat to the manufacturing process involved in the wood panneling on the Sonus Faber speakers. They are absolutely well built.

Also, while they look somewhat ordinary, the Dynaudio cabinets are not only meticulously made, but everything in the design is there for some sonic purpose, even in their entry level Audience line. While I don't know enough about the B&W nautillus design, it does seem to me that this is taking the design beyond the purpose of great sound reproduction. Kind of like comparing a Saab to a Jag: I would rather be seen in the latter, but the practicality is overshadowed by design (crash test results anyone?).

Tarheel_
06-16-2005, 04:35 AM
I can't believe no one has mentioned Audio Physic. The Kronos looks like it could be sitting in the messhall of the Starship Enterprise. I've never heard them, though, and apparently side-firing woofers are not ideal, but that's a smart looking speaker.

Don't care much for the cone-on-the-cabinet look of Wilson Audio speakers and their ilk. I suppose they sound much better than they look, though.

I really do have to tip my hat to the manufacturing process involved in the wood panneling on the Sonus Faber speakers. They are absolutely well built.

Also, while they look somewhat ordinary, the Dynaudio cabinets are not only meticulously made, but everything in the design is there for some sonic purpose, even in their entry level Audience line. While I don't know enough about the B&W nautillus design, it does seem to me that this is taking the design beyond the purpose of great sound reproduction. Kind of like comparing a Saab to a Jag: I would rather be seen in the latter, but the practicality is overshadowed by design (crash test results anyone?).

I agree with the Audio Physic mention....esp. the Yara. You find yourself just staring at it...as if it's a piece of art. Sounds beautiful to boot.

Tarheel_
06-16-2005, 04:36 AM
but I kinda like the blue logo on the ML Prodigy's....and I really like the look of Innersounds...and I love the big Legecy's...awesome looking

Pogue


haha, i never thought about it, but your right...i can see the buck knife influence it in. To hear is to appreciate.

http://www.revelspeakers.com/image_library/salon_hgr_lo.jpg

JoeE SP9
06-16-2005, 09:32 AM
I rather like Maggies because they don't look like speakers - more like decorative room dividers. While my current Sound Labs are a bit funky looking, my old Acoustats got a similar reaction. Folks would walk around them and ask "so where are the speakers?"

rw
My Acoustats get the same response. "I thought they were room dividers" is the usual comment. Of course once they hear them it's a different story.

Florian
06-19-2005, 04:34 AM
I got the same reaction on my old Magnepan 3.6R. "Whats that ?!? a door?"
Of course now with the Apogee's everybody thinks its something from the 2001 Space Odysee :p

Peter_Klim
06-19-2005, 06:16 PM
DALI makes some of the finest looking cabinets:

http://www.dali-usa.com/images/page/64_2.jpg

Florian
06-19-2005, 06:19 PM
DALI makes some of the finest looking cabinets:

http://www.dali-usa.com/images/page/64_2.jpg
Yes definetly !! The Euphonia series especially. The big one is over 10K euro tough....
My friend at Stuttgart carries them exclusively with Lyngdorf Audio. He is also the biggest B&W dealer, owns part of NAD and Rotel ;-)

They soud very good and are definetly very good build quality.

JoeE SP9
06-19-2005, 10:52 PM
The Acoustat Model 3's I once owned made even me think of the monoliths from 2001. With the black grills on they had nearly the same effect on me as non-audiophiles and I knew what they were. Incidentally, they were the only full range ES speakers I've ever heard that needed no subwoofer. They were flat to 28Hz in the room I had them in. Without a doubt they had the best bass I've ever owned. The bass I get from my current subs is deeper but not better. Maybe having a crossover with my current rig has something to do with it. They were also more efficient than my current ES's, both fronts and rears.