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Before I order the Magnepan 1.7s...

Hi. My wife and I finally agreed to put a proper stereo in the big room (700 sqft or thereabouts) and I bought a massive Krell amp in preparation for the eventual Magnepan purchase because we decided that the aesthetics of those speakers (with white socks) were tolerable. 

Before I pull that trigger, though, are there any "beautiful" speakers, respected by the audiophile community, that I should consider? I've looked over SFs and Focals, and they're indeed beautiful, but not so beautiful as to sway us. 

(as an aside, really, would it kill some of these manufacturers to offer a few more finishes-- with high-resolution photos taken from modern homes? They are literally throwing money out the window with these Geocities-quality websites. I'm surely not the only suburbanite looking for an audiophile-approved speaker with nice aesthetics)

Thank you.
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b_limo
2,288 posts
 
Salk offers a ton of finishes and outstanding speakers.

I’ve got a pair and a pair of Maggies.

The Maggies have a unique sound and are only good for 1 person / listener. They have a very small sweet spot, but that spot is pretty sweet. Piano, strings, horns and bass are pretty spectacular, and this is just the LRS.  Im strongly considering some 1.7i’s.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Where are you located?
Magnepan/ Vandersteens 
its kind of obvious after 40 plus years each
Krell will work great with both 
JohnnyR 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,627 posts
 
very unique appearance

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324249372836?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/audio-tv-en-foto/luidsprekers/m1733424416-set-devialet-phantom-gold-spe...

https://www.olx.pt/d/anuncio/avantgarde-acoustic-solo-colunas-corneta-horn-speakers-IDGk1nL.html?isP...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362966583960?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154336434788?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649662384-stradivarius-string-bass-speakers/

https://www.audiophile.org/Ilan/Ascendo-system-e-tower-speakers/42170

https://reverb.com/item/4374229-gershman-acoustics-sw-1-x-1-speakers

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333947075889?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

I remember hearing these at a show

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649740812-jbl-250ti-speakers/images/3280982/

I worked one block from Harvey's, 45th st, nyc, height of modernism

https://reverb.com/item/37107638-bang-olufsen-beolab-2-full-system-2-speakers-w-all-manuals-and-guid...

these look like the ushers I heard at a demo, awesome

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294282255159?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://sound-affair.com/bang-and-olufsen-product/beolab-8002/

https://sound-affair.com/bang-and-olufsen-product/beolab-17-floor-stands-black/

waterfall glass

https://www.2dehands.be/a/audio-tv-en-foto/luidsprekerboxen/m1724810781-waterfall-audio-victoria-evo...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114443730408?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

I never heard of Goodmans

https://usato.audiograffiti.com/annunci/diffusori-acustici/252267/

oh yeah, walsh

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255053896568?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274590344437?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649684055-vivid-audio-oval-v15-speakers/images/3011806/

lets not forget anthony gallo

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649760769-anthony-gallo-acoustics-reference-31-speakers-with-sa-...

davone again

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324247647261?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

bose 901's were unique in their day

https://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/bose-901-mk-vi-speakers-equaliser-stands/17313309

anyone?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254641581126?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.audiodoo.de/hifi-marktplatz/inserat.html?tx_pnmaudiodoo_pi5%5BshowAd%5D=12888

Quad's, the original unique look, unique sound

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333001735505?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

beolab surround

https://sound-affair.com/bang-and-olufsen-product/beoplay-14-5-1/

I remember these, out of nowhere, Canton everywhere!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163898944564?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

just unusual in a way

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373620565067?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

gorgeous finish, never heard them

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649734072-lsa-10-statement-monitor-speakers/images/3248104/

the original new look for B&W

https://reverb.com/item/42289598-bowers-and-wilkins-b-w-801-matrix-2-floor-speakers-1991-walnut

talk about unique looking

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324712125836?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

another curiosity

https://www.marktnet.nl/audio-video-film/luidsprekers/actieve-zang-set-1800-watt-2-x-sub-2-x-top-spe...

morel bookcase

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184946644455?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

new, for a 'budget' start, I would like to hear them

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373641405296?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

zu 'wont fit in a' bookshelf

https://skyfiaudio.com/collections/all-collections/products/zu-audio-omen-bookshelf-mk-ii-speakers-i...

unique looking KEF

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234086841393?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

it's been fun, I gotta stop now




inscrutable
313 posts
 
The 1.7’s are only about $2k new, so many of these suggestions are multiples of that budget, if constrained to near that. For new near that, I’ve almost done a trial of the new LSA 20 Statements and/or Signatures. Nice finishes (not user selectable), and with Dan Wiggins on board I expect a very well executed low end at the least.
Bit still, I’m leaning hard toward the 1.7i’s for my situation.
I understand WAF … my living room setup uses Epos K2 in white to go with other furniture and relatively inconspicuously.
jplunkettj
58 posts
 
You should consider the Spatial line of speakers. They look very modern and fit in to the aesthetics of most room furnishings.  Don't require massive power and sound great. Also, I think they still have an in-home trial period and a 5yr warranty.
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