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Do you listen to your heart or your eye?

There are tons of good speakers out there, not to mention personal preferences, but how many of you buy speakers PURELY based on sound? I have owned over a dozen $10k+ speakers in life, but always wanted to own Sonus Faber Amati for its look. I never once liked the sound at dealer demo, but I contributed the bad sound to equipments and rooms (Classe or Levinson). But convince the SO is much easier with Amati than another square or weird looking box. My yard stick is high, the trust worthy Dynaudio Confidence 5 which has seen no equal after three years. What do I do or what have you done?
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Showing 2 responses by thunnicutt

thunnicutt
41 posts
 
The sound is paramount, but for me, looks (including fit n' finish and "fit" in the room/rack, are also important.)

It's the same as if you buy a car -- it can drive great, but look like crap, or built cheaply, or not fit in the grarage. I wouldn't buy it. Same with my audio gear.

I don't think that makes me less of a diehard audiophile, just that the items mentioned above are also important to me in the purchase decision.

BTW: I ownthe Amati's and they are one of the best looking speakers on the planet. And with the right gear, they are also one of the best sounding speakers on the planet. A true reference product. Depends on what musical cues are important to you (i.e. they don't have that last ounce of lowest octave bass). I've heard them with Classe, and wasn't impressed, same with Levinson. Amati's truly shine with tubes. Magical.
thunnicutt
41 posts
 
When it's off and sitting in the middle of the living room, then no. Then, it becaomes another piece of furniture. Depending upon domestic situation, that can either be no big deal or THE big deal :)

Also, I take "looks" to me other things: i.e. size (is it too small or too large for the room) and fit n' finish (does it look poorly made or assembled).

Tom H
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