2. misc-audio
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How important is the Look in audiophile gear?

I saw a post today about B&O. Some were dissing this gear as just made to look good. I was about to do some dissing myself and then I wondered how much of the cost of other high end audio gear might be down to the "Look"? (Impressive looking rather than boringly functional.)

Is the "Look" closer to 20% or 80% of the cost on ultra high end gear? How much are you willing to spend on "Look" relative to cost that goes into purely audible qualities? Does the "Look" give you a feeling of how amazingly good it should sound? Does "Look" enhance the listening experience in the same way a well presented meal is more enjoyable to eat?

Examples of "Look": large silvery tube amps openly exposed on a silvery mount, massive turntables with visible big wheels/levers/belts, shiny imposing isolation feet, exotic spikes and stands, ultra thick cables made from exotic materials, futuristic speaker shapes (other than a plain mdf box).
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Showing 3 responses by cwlondon

cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
The superior car exhibits high performance and beautiful design.

The superior wife is loving, devoted, "heaven on earth" to live with and also drop dead beautiful.

The superior audio component sounds great, is also beautifully designed, a pleasure to operate, and an artistic addition to one's living or listening room.

Any arguments are only a function of your insecurity or fears of shortcomings in any of the areas listed above.

NOTE

Of course, there is room for subjectivity here. But we all know that many cars, women and audio compoents don't really live up to the standards of both categories mentioned above. Be honest.
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
TO ANY OF YOU WHO RELATE TO:

"I listen with my ears, not my eyes"

IF YOU COLLECTED SPORTS CARS:

"I am looking down the road when I drive fast, not at the shape or color of my car from the side"

IF YOU WERE A FOOD AND WINE CRITIC:

"It all ends up mixed in my stomach any way, so who cares what it looks like on the plate?!"

IF YOU WERE A TAILOR:

"Clothes should be comfortable. Besides, who is going to notice the cut of your jacket when it is hanging on the back of your chair?"

IF YOU WERE AN ARCHITECT:

"Houses are for shelter. I am not looking at the proportions, doors, windows, or rooflines when I sit on my couch watching TV"

IF YOU WERE A PLAYBOY:

"They all look pretty much the same when the lights are out"

AND IF YOU WERE ADVANCING OUR HOBBY:

High end products of any kind should excel in

a) performance,
b) reliability,
c) build quality AND
d) design

Thank you for listening.

cwlondon
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
Robm321

I like good sound, too.

I don't know why my post went straight over your head, but good luck to you as well!

cwlondon
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