Until there is a grill cloth available (or I can devise a way to add one), I would not put these in my living room.
Before I invested in them I would need to be certain they can make me as happy as my Soundlabs. Under show conditions there was absolutely no way to determine that.
As for appearance and public acceptance. There was a time when AJ Conti of Basis refused to build the Basis Debut Gold in any color other than gold. I had the first one in all black. The Debut is now available in all black for anyone wanting one.
Loyd Walker refused to build the Walker Proscenium Gold Signature Turntable in black, only available in gold. I have the first all black Walker Proscenium ever built.
Atma-Sphere refused to build the MA 2 with any faceplate other than gold. I had the first MA 2 in black. (You probably still remember this Ralph).
I argued with Soundlab and was responsible for the steel frame design for the U-1, calling Connie at Soundlab can confirm this.
The Aesthetix Io and Callisto were designed for only one power supply. I was the first person to make the changes (myself) on the circuit board and run dual supplies. This is now a standard factory available option. Again, a call to Jim White can confirm this.
Maybe my cries about a black Gilmore and black grill cloth will have a similar effect. If not, I can wait until the option is available.
I am pleased that Ralph’s girlfriend likes the Gilmore's as they are, because they may never get changed and obviously Ralph intends for these to become his reference speaker.
Unfortunately I disagree in spite of considering Ralph and Mark Gilmore good friends. I cannot pretend to like the appearance of something I do not. My honesty over this particular subject has gotten me into trouble. This is the first time it has been a problem in all the years I’ve been in high end audio.
I guess we will see how things shake out.
Before I invested in them I would need to be certain they can make me as happy as my Soundlabs. Under show conditions there was absolutely no way to determine that.
As for appearance and public acceptance. There was a time when AJ Conti of Basis refused to build the Basis Debut Gold in any color other than gold. I had the first one in all black. The Debut is now available in all black for anyone wanting one.
Loyd Walker refused to build the Walker Proscenium Gold Signature Turntable in black, only available in gold. I have the first all black Walker Proscenium ever built.
Atma-Sphere refused to build the MA 2 with any faceplate other than gold. I had the first MA 2 in black. (You probably still remember this Ralph).
I argued with Soundlab and was responsible for the steel frame design for the U-1, calling Connie at Soundlab can confirm this.
The Aesthetix Io and Callisto were designed for only one power supply. I was the first person to make the changes (myself) on the circuit board and run dual supplies. This is now a standard factory available option. Again, a call to Jim White can confirm this.
Maybe my cries about a black Gilmore and black grill cloth will have a similar effect. If not, I can wait until the option is available.
I am pleased that Ralph’s girlfriend likes the Gilmore's as they are, because they may never get changed and obviously Ralph intends for these to become his reference speaker.
Unfortunately I disagree in spite of considering Ralph and Mark Gilmore good friends. I cannot pretend to like the appearance of something I do not. My honesty over this particular subject has gotten me into trouble. This is the first time it has been a problem in all the years I’ve been in high end audio.
I guess we will see how things shake out.