I realize that it is often the case that loudspeakers share a living space with other household members and that a certain attractiveness is a bonus and sometimes even a requirement. I credit Lewis Lipnick, when writing for Stereophile, for creating the WAF [Wife's Acceptance Factor] and the MIF [Marriage Interference Factor] guidelines regarding the visual appeal of any audio equipment. I know personally that any compromises that were encountered involved trips to the Laura Ashley Store to smooth things over.
Personally, I once owned a pair of B&W 801 loudspeakers, finished in rosewood, that were so attractive to view that they became a distraction to my enjoyment of the music they produced ! I actually traded them to a friend for a pair of the same speakers finished in plain black and can honestly say that my enjoyment of listening to music increased severalfold. I understand why the beauty of the cabinetry can be a joy in itself, but my experience with the 801s firmly set my future loudspeaker choices to the most neutral in appearance possible. It still works for me. Anyone else ?
