Does it / Do they pass the wife test? Speakers

When it comes to equipment/speakers that look as good as they sound, atleast to the female gender, think Italian or French. My JM Lab Mini Utopias have always been well received by women. If you're willing to consider used, the Minis are smaller than your 104.2s and are frequenly listed on Audiogon.

I convinced my wife I found a speaker that not only looks ascetically great but sounds great=non fatiguing.
She said go for it, and now is in love with the Seas Thor's.
Mind you it is s a kit, takes some time to put together. Other wise go for the Tyler's Systems or another of his design's.

Paul
Baton Rouge

It depends entirely on the particular wife. My wife doesn't like small stand-mounted speakers, preferring floor standing speakers. She also doesn't like completely rectangular boxes, regardless of the quality of finish.

I suggest you show your wife LOTS of speakers and find out what appeals.

Kal

I agree with Kr4, most speakers are butt ugly.
Take a look at the Thor link provided at Madisound Audio, Not the Kit photo, the link photo. Other than the Thor's the best looking speakers I've ever seen are the entire Tyler line.

Two things:

1) How do they fit with the rest of the decor
2) How loud do they play

If they don't "fit" match the rest of the decor, they wont please her and if they play too loud (which is a subject of her moods) they wont please her.

Unless of course she is an audiophile herself, in which case the issue is usually the best sound for what you can afford (by her definition of afford)