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For the Audiophile with a taste for good design(looks)....a question.

What are your favorite audio components and speakers based on the way they look (looked).  Yes, I know that sound is what counts and that is my major influence, but I do enjoy well designed/good looking products.   I no longer do, but did have a collection of art deco radios, both table models and consoles.....and that was all about design rather than their audiophile qualities.  Thanks 

whatjd
davehg
85 posts
 
Leben 
AirTight
VAC PA90
WAVAC
(pretty much a tube thing)

Devore
Avantgarde horns
Auditorium horns

@snilf I was a college kid selling hifi when Mke Mahoney showed up with the Tesla’s. They looked great, but man did the top end just sizzle. Mated with warm tubes like the VAC, they sounded nice if a bit muddled on the bass. I personally liked them but after CGs review, we couldn’t give them away unless the customer wasn’t an audiophile and didn’t read Sphile.
coffee-jerk
73 posts
 
Sevi01 elevates this thread by introducing Dieter Ram, one of the most influential designers in our lifetimes.  I don’t really want to own a Braun stereo, but the man is an amazing designer (and team player).   So many Braun products are icons, and have influenced a couple of generations of our best designers.  Most hi-fi products look like absolute shite.  
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
607 posts
 
I think that Avalon males some of the most decorative speakers, not to mention generally excellent sound.  You probably have to have modern decor for them to fit in, mind you.

As for gear, the champagne coloured Conrad Johnsons stuff looks nice with just about any decor.
whatjd OP
1,139 posts
 
Thanks to all for your input.  Could not agree more...loved the looks of my CJ ART pre and the champagne color was/is "out of the norm". 

jacksky
102 posts
 
As evidenced by the range of responses, “ good design looks” can mean eye candy or museum level cabinetry.
I never had a listening session with plasma speakers, but imagine if you like tube amp aura then turning down the lights with plasmas running would float your boat. Me, I REALLY wonder what they sound like.
in my early 20’s I had a Sound Shaper III equalizer, 35 red lights glowing and a pair of level meters doing the dance as music played. Gadgetry ruled.
Regarding earlier post stating they thought  Vandy wood Quatros are beautiful, yeah but only if you compare them to how ugly earlier sock covered Vandys were. 
In todays offerings, I don’t much like the look of Blades speakers although I admit it took guts to push them to market. They sounded awesome in one showroom, mediocre in another.
i think if the founder of Green Mountain audio was still with us, he would have come up with a new audacious design, his last design, Calypso, was interesting to look at
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