What are your favorite speaker finishes?

I like the very high gloss finishes like they put on some affordable Quads in recent years and that one often sees on the real expensive stuff.

Hey Aolmrd1241, the leather on the Olympicas is real leather, not the faux stuff from the earlier lines correct? Something about Italian leather - the scent from Campomaggi leather accessories is the perfect example - it's just fantastic. I was serious - I'll buy a pair of the standmounts one day just to admire them, you're a lucky fellow to have those IIIs.

Brazilian Rosewood (Palisander) is beautiful, but I ended up with black piano finish speakers (similar to Wilson Puppy) that I hated with passion. My wife even mentioned that they resemble small coffins. Now they are growing on me and I think I even like them. One advantage I can think of is ability to fix scratches. Any piano repair place should be able to take care of it.

I like any nicely figured wood but I hate super high gloss or piano lacquer finishes, prefer matte.