what is more popular silver or black face plates

I had an old system for my parents’ living room back in the ’70s. Its components sat on a shiny whitish marble coffee table in front of the front windows. It replaced a brown Magnavox wood console furniture unit, and I very much wanted it to look elegant and appropriate for the decor, not too equipment-y.

The brushed gold faceplates and minimalist controls design of the Acoustic Research Amp and matching Tuner were just what I needed. I had them in their wood cases.  I partnered them with a Benjamin Miracord 50h, the turntable with the square chrome pushbuttons, under a big smokey dustcover. My Rectilinear Hiboys were toed in in the corners. It was a good system for its time and the look was perfect.

Alternate selections that I considered but did not choose were Dynaco PAT 4 preamp with Dynaco Stereo 120, an old Fisher tuner, Dual 1019 table, and AR 3a speakers. Lots of buttons switches and knobs. Definitely a studly dorm rig back then.

@wturkey  +1

As said above, in the seventies silver exemplified quality. In the eighties it seemed to me that when it came to uniformity, silver was more difficult to keep uniform. In a rack, mixed silver looked tacky. Black was easier in that regard. 

I think that home theater setups (no glare on black) in the eighties as well as a trend toward American manufacturing influenced the change. The seventies were completely influenced by the Japanese market and their demand for silver faceplates. The Japanese still demand silver. There were many pieces of gear they made where silver was only available in Japan. I agree with the Japanese. I want my gear to look as good as it sounds. I don't mind black components. They should be aesthetically pleasing however. 

I prefer black , used silver . My turntable is red  VPI scout, white Prime scout turntable, I like colors at times as long as it’s done right.

@sagger

Perplexity AI’s answer to the above question is:

“ Black has become the more prevalent color for audio equipment, though preferences vary. Here’s a breakdown:

• Historical context Silver was more common in the 1970s, while black became predominant in the following decades.

• Matching components Black is often favored because it’s easier to match with other components. Silver components can be harder to find and match across different brands.

• Aesthetics Some prefer black for its ability to blend in and not draw attention, especially in home theater setups. Silver is sometimes preferred for highlighting the equipment and its features.

• Personal preference Ultimately, the choice between black and silver often comes down to personal taste and how well it fits with the user’s existing setup and room decor.

• Market availability Black is generally more available, though some manufacturers offer silver options, especially in markets outside of North America.

NOTE THIS = • Resale Black equipment may be easier to resell due to its popularity.

Brands may offer both black and silver options to appeal to different aesthetic preferences and to maximize sales. Black, white, and silver are considered universally neutral and are the least likely to offend, appealing to the broadest demographic. Black is often favored for its ability to blend in, while silver can highlight the equipment.

Some brands might stick to only one color, like black, to keep production costs down. Black is also associated with heat management, keeping internal components in the dark, and projecting sophistication. Ultimately, the choice depends on the brand’s target market and desired image.

NOTE THIS = Technically, black faceplates in equipment may offer slight advantages:

1. Heat Absorption: Black absorbs more heat, which can help with passive cooling in some designs, though this is often negligible in modern electronics.

2. Light Reflection: Black reflects less light, reducing glare and distractions, making it ideal for environments like home theaters or studios.

3. Aesthetic Neutrality: Black is less prone to showing dirt or fingerprints compared to lighter colors like silver.

However, these advantages are typically minor and mostly aesthetic or situational rather than functional.

Production costs significantly influence the color options available for products due to the following factors:

1. Material Costs: Certain colors require specialized materials or pigments, which can be more expensive. For instance, metallic or custom colors often incur higher costs compared to standard black or white.

2. Manufacturing Complexity: Producing multiple color options increases manufacturing complexity. Each color may require separate production lines, additional setup time, or unique processes like anodizing or spot color printing, which raise costs.

3. Standardization: Offering a single color, such as black, simplifies production and reduces costs by allowing bulk purchasing of materials and streamlined manufacturing processes.

4. Market Demand: Brands may limit color options to those with the highest demand to avoid overproduction of less popular colors, which could lead to inventory waste.

These cost considerations often drive brands to prioritize black or neutral tones for efficiency and cost-effectiveness”.

My answer is black but it also depends on availability.

i hope the above helps.

Perplexity AI also wanted you to know this:

”Some brands offer both black and silver options while others only offer black due to a combination of factors:
• Popularity and demand Black is a very practical and safe color that is versatile and can blend in with any color and outfit choice. Black is often more popular, making people willing to pay more for it. Unpopular colors sometimes get reduced in price in order to move units.
• Aesthetics Black can be more aesthetically pleasing than other colors, providing a higher contrast to the color of the watch face or dials, making it pop and more pleasing to the eye. Silver is a popular choice for jewelry and watches. A silver watchband can complement other bracelets, rings, or chains for an overall cohesive look.
• Branding Black is often used in branding to increase the perceived value of a product and give it a classy appearance. It’s also seen as edgy and trendy. Black is associated with elegance and sophistication.
• Manufacturing costs Some coloring materials might be more expensive, or some colors may be more problematic, requiring adjustments to the manufacturing process.
• Supply and demand Amazon, for example, uses near real-time product pricing based on actual supply and demand and may adjust prices to better fit the balance between them. If the black version of a product outsells the silver version for a while, a price adjustment might be made to lower the price of the silver product.
• Fashion and design Many people will pay more to have something that fits their sense of style and decor.
Therefore, brands may offer both black and silver to cater to different aesthetic preferences, while some may focus solely on black due to its popularity, versatility, and association with sophistication”.

See link below to Perplexity