HOW MUCH DO NON-AUDIO FACTORS INFLUENCE YOUR AUDIO PURCHASES?

A rather enjoyable look into what matters most to us. I have been very pragmatic over the years looking for value and sound quality over brand names. If I felt something was truly ugly I might hesitate if it needed to generally be in view.

I loved the sound of my first good speakers, Martin Logan SL3s and despite the size they looked clean and amazed all who listened. And the esthetics of the Dynaudio Sapphires in the Bordeaux finish were visually stunning but I only bought them because of the superb full range sound. And although I'd have bought 'first available' (gloss black or walnut burl) I admit to being thrilled to get the D2 (current/final?) speakers in the beautiful burl veneer.

Although I listen without vision a lot, the speakers are an integral part of the primary living area and looking beautiful helps. I'm not concerned about Chinese manufacturing. Show them the product design and quality level needed; they can do it. I also mix gear with no concerns. I'm looking for system synergy and not positive using the same brand automatically provides it. (No thank you on McIntosh speakers....ugh.)(JA Perspectives are awesome speakers in my book, prof.)

1) SQ/value/budget - beware the law of diminishing returns - avoid upgradeitis
2) Don't care about color of boxes or looks, but don't want my den to look like a physics lab and it has to fit in its space with the records
3) British design + chinese manufacturing = value if done right. Good for speakers, not much else.
4) make sure to maximize what you have - vibration control, room dynamics, electrical isolation. This is very underrated - smaller dollars invested here can have a bigger (sometimes MUCH) impact than changing boxes. Put your turntable on a wall shelf if at all possible. Just did it after 25 years - WOW. You'll never have a bigger bang for $200 in your audio lifetime.

andysf  You might check to see if you should I believe you need to dismantle your system and return most of the innards to China.  Still, all of my electronic were made in North America, and since the 1970's I have only used British (also English Speaking) British.  I do have Japanese tuners (3 of 4) and a Japanese CD player, but that country is not full of CPF's, of which I am one.

My golden, metered Phase Linear 400 was much more fun to watch than my Black, three LED (ON, Clip left, Clip Right) Audire amps, but for fun, I can turn the power way up on system 2, and watch the old B&W's  light up the LED's as it diminishes the sound to save the drivers from drunken fools.

I definitely take other things into consideration when buying gear.

I’m probably in the minority, but I am willing to pay a little more because I trust the dealer for honest advice and after-the-sale service.

That being said, I no longer buy brands that have very low resale values.