How many NICE looking high end floor standing speaker are there at present


Hi, 
Sometimes when I dream, imagining of replacing my current 1997 Burmester 961 speakers, before maybe COVID19 is sending me to an early grave - I'm practically only stumbling on ugly often even like somehow crippled looking speaker creations.
Test will say, sounding fantastically gorgeous and - looking like 💩. 
This, or par tout looking like some or other children's coffin ⚰. 😥👻

Not for the life of it, can I imagine ever having some such 'creation' invading my daily living space. Ever.

Talking 'bout a BAD WAF situation, I say.

Some makers are trying to improve on this tragic situation with creations looking far too anatomical or something alien👾 fruit thing hanging off a tree... handle an' all. 

Is there no hope out there at all...? 🤔

So can one savely move on forgetting about a replacement, still in this here life, and saving the money 💰 ?

Well, the budget <= max 20k $ lets say, so I won't risk starving before the lockdown will end ever. 😱 

😘 M. 🇿🇦 
128x128justmetoo

Showing 50 responses by justmetoo

@jkf011
Thank you for your plain, straight shooting honesty. 
This is perfectly fine when hiding 'contraptions' like e.g. Eurythmies, either too suggestive of human organs or other unpleasant situations, like say a wake ⚰️ , in a man-cave ⛺. 

Insisting to install such items in a general living area, can bring about frictions, resentment, stomach cramps (not caused by the more usual monthly occurrences) etc. 

Unless training oneself to ignore ones surroundings, which will then also include other folk present.
There is a psychological element at work in ongoinly ignoring unpleasant impressions. I'm surely not saying anything groundbreakingly new. 🙄

I have a suspicion that the most soothing sounds emanating from such items will be insufficient balm to overcome the negtive vibes 😖. 
Food for thought 💭 
M. 🇿🇦 
Just had my response dumped again. 
Fed-up to redo. Sorry. Low battery to boot. 
😕
M. 🇿🇦 
Ok, closing time for me. 
Thanks for all the positive contributions! 
Michélle 
Ok, take two, @headphonedreams 
Those Bøneke speakers have something, maybe that less US balls-to-the-walls, more understated design approach?
Yeah I'm sure. 
They're 'integratable' into a living space with less intrusive presentation, in my take. 

Why do I now think I've seen this all before? 🤔 
Audio Physic's various midrange designs e.g. AVANTI and such, I'd seen and heard some a few year ago. In a living room environment. 

Did I like then what I heard? 🤔 

Not quite, not really, so why?
Most delicately detailed, bordering on the analytical - a general tendency of German and more North-European offerings,yet again. 

Being hooked up to a Lyngdorf amp (class D ?!?) plus Roomperfect® (digital room correction) using an Electrocompaniet CDP didn't help the presentation in my mind either. 

So now what will those Bøneke sound like?! 😉 
After all, acceptable looks is one thing, if the sound is too sterile we have still the wrong mix. Just to make sure. 

In closing, now to be extra picky, these cabinets, as also those Audio Physiks, are at least by ¼—⅓ to narrow and subsequently a bit to deep, to then achieve the correct volume.
This idea is a slight over-exaggeration about maximum reduced baffel width, in order to make the cabinets audibly vanish. 
Slightly wider would look more 'right' IMO, but then chamfering or rounding off the front panels/baffels.

Just sharing, as like nothing is perfect, eh? 
😘 
Michélle 🇿🇦
@b_limo 
🤩 MBL the Berlin "Klang-Schmiede" for "Biegewellenwandler" ja now fine, as we say around here. 
And so why not, eh? 
I've to admit I never had the opportunity being invited to a listening session of those.
They're so 'high-endig' including their other offerings like ½ tone mono-blocks, I've seen in real life in Munich, and ~¼ tone CDPs etc. (at the time) you might add reinforced flooring in your dreams. 😉
In Germany that is strictly pro high-society, kind of going with a chauffeur-driven Maibach and the like. 👋😃
But, you also have to like the idea of  'Omnidirektionale Rundumstrahler' ha, - the German version of surround-sound, methinks. 

There are very 'Deutsche Diskussionen' on the pros and cons of these, and it's my suspicion few discussing it, have never really heard these in real life, and are purely involved in the theory. Sehr deutsch aus das 😃

Of course Burmester GmbH (Gemeinschaft mit beschränkter Haftpflicht) is also in Berlin 'angesiedelt' and they're in a sort of subdued competition with MBL. (We do not discuss each others product merits, OTON MBL Vertrieb). Very good, ja. 😊 

Well, and who knows, sometimes dreams can come true. For you. 

Michélle 🇩🇪... 🇿🇦 

To clarify some possible misconception, did I EVER, AT ALL, mention I's in the state of purchasing a replacement... ? At all?
No, didn't? Scheming/dreaming, yeah, well... 
Women, eh? Eh, eh... 😕

Women think, dream and scheme about plenty of things, without going hardcore follow up, NOW HAVING TO PURCHASE!!! , what ever we THINK about. Ever anyone went along purfume shopping? Puleeese! 🙄

No need to get huffy, as this was at least for myself, a useful enquiry of what the 'market' presently has on offer. This, by getting some feedback from the experts, yes?

My learing right now?
No need to change my 'old' speakers (as yet) given what was suggested. Done. 
This being so, as all this stuff happens to be a most personal, most opinionated decision, always, or? Yes, is! 

No need to act like a bunch of disappointed salesmen. Maybe I'd omitted the emoji for "just browsing" 🤟👀?

Then all please accept my sincere apologies. 🙏 🥴
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@gsm18439
Thank you dear! 😘 

@b_limo 
Righto! 🤩 

@roxy54
Humph! 🙈 

Ta, ta 👋
Michélle 🇿🇦 

@gosta
I see, so 8 inches should be more than just enough, yes? 🤔 

Michélle 🇿🇦 
Hm, I know... what is ment by 'nice looking'.
As in: "de gustibus non disputandum est. 😉"... 
Will some 'hunch back of Notre dame' design cut it? 😉 Not at all, and as mentioned, there's some mighty weird stuff on offer... 

A quick look at my one and only system photo will be the quickest way to see my still current speakers, Burmester 961 as mentioned.
They, at the time, had far better WAF than e.g. Watt/Puppys, high polished car paint and all, - sound also didn't sway me either - at the time...

The first suggestion with all those lined up 'jam pots' is a beautiful negative, sorry,
that ZU item is kind of furniture, yes, but kind of too big furniture for me,
and the Maggie idea is in need of more than just 3 foot front wall space, plus kind of mighty imposing in a living room. Musical paravan/dividers 🎶🙄

The smaller Maggies have no low-end I read, and there is no room for subs, never really was, plus I'm cagey about their ultimate integration issues.

But in any case many thanks for that kind feedback! 👍😊
Michélle 🇿🇦 
Ehhhh,
appart from SF which looks ok, it does, but has multiple front firing small bass drivers and weird slot port along the back. Bass sucks in my place, had one for very short while to test. 

Plus the other weird ultra wide item, not made any more, and just like one fat panel with fancy woodwork - all other suggestions are un-attractive, not to say more. 

Some look more homely than what not... so far proving my point it seems. 😒

If your female companions had a relative comparable presentation what'd you say?! 🤔 
Wouldn't give that one not another look, right? 🙄😕
Even if she could sing like an 😇 and be very sweet 🥰 otherwise. Humph. 🤯 

Honestly, some of them look like polished up homemade coffins, as I said. 😢😓
Michélle 🇿🇦 
 
@gregm

Oh... right, yes well, even made in my present country of residence, they are. At least they were. 

They sure do have a reputation for marvelous sound reproduction. As an aside, so it must have been worth it, to change from custom surfboards to these items. 😉
Still made in Durban, methinks. 

Though talking of looks,... can't recall many, if any, mentionings other than more nice descriptions of weird. (fruit hanging from a Kwazulu-Natal Avo tree?)... 😉 

@ctsooner, 

Many thanks I say, for your charming response, not given to everyone around this here place. 
Yes, of course music, great sounding music MATTERS, no question - but so does presentation of the equipment involved, at least to some, and for sure to me also. 
It's a question of balance - as far as a listening- livining-rooms goes. 
Man-caves / dens / studios etc. I'm not taking about  and can go as way out as can be, they don't qualify as LIVING ROOMS/AREAS as far as I go.
Wanna do stone ugly, freaking weird, etc. to serve some sound ideal, go there, by all means.
But please note, many do not have such luxury, neither do I, neither have most central European folk (were I hail from) either. Most are living in appartments, not out in the country. 

Maybe my bad, not having this all spread out from the onset. 

Michélle 🇩🇪 - >  🇿🇦 ✔️
Funny enough, I'd been playing with the idea of Wilson something or other, Sasha 2. Yet they are a bit to deep to work.
Funny also, no one one has mentioned those eh, what's name Maple vernier items build up the road from the Boulder amp factory in Boulder CO. 
Was sort of impressed when I'd visited their factory, though again they seem on the bright end of things, with all their ceramic drivers, and the small/little one looks cheap somehow. 🙄
M. 🇿🇦 
@jond,
yes, I like the Burmesters look, but 25 years of looking at them, makes me itchy to look for a suitable/possible alternative - this more so at times when I'm all day locked down with them - then that itch gets stronger. 

Now for heaven sake, please... to suggest these 100 year old looking Tannoys!
Puleeez, they look so frumpy, like some Amish horse dawn cart, it's just like naaaa, 😌 I beg you. 😳 

Ok, those Vienna acoustics, I'd looked at those, but they remind me a bit of toothpick versions of my current items, a bit to anorexic, I'd say.
Reading between the lines of some tests, I find some sort of confirmation, of sorts.
Bit too weedy, no good I'd decided.
(Like some dude with no brawn on his bones build for speed only, hm.) 

So yea, I'm now just brutally open sharing my take on those items, and for sure each of them will have their merits, certainly!
Alas not any looks in my book, hm. 
😘 Though many thanks again for all the suggestions 🙏. 
M. 🇿🇦 
@contuzzi,
How can you say: "there are so many...." 
Say WHAT?
Nada! 
WAF?!? Maybe HAF (Husband Acceptance Factor) yeah, right. 😏 
😘 
Words, eh? 
@arafiq,
Hm, yeah this 'value for money' product of the year item.
Again as far as I see it, funny bass drivers and strange, odd construction. In any case also much to tall for my use and liking. 

BTW, it was Avalon speakers that no one had yet mentioned - are they still alive?! 
They had their factory in Boulder as I'd mentioned. 
Great construction, aesthetically pleasing to my eyes but always a bit on the stark, bright side of the spectrum, their midsized speakers on review. 

Most might now say, no wonder, she's too critical by far, can't be pleased. Ta, ta.

I was sort of involved in some recreation of Burmester B100, which might have spoiled me too much?
Not that I'd even have the space nor the change to even think in this dimension now and then, thought I had that prototype right in my then living room for testing. Huge, eish! 
Crazy, if I think some 10 odd years back. Maybe that will explain some, maybe. 

Whatever, not looking to great this enquiry, but good for my cash flow it'll be, hm. 😉
Thank you for caring, again. 
M. 🇿🇦 
@pelletfan
Wow, I guess you mean this serious. 
Opening the web on this is actually a prime example of decidedly form followes function, with no aesthetic consideration given at all. 😒 Extra terrestrials 👽 might see it differently? 🤔 
Some if not most of their items are truly eye sores. 
M. 🇿🇦 
@mapman 
Not so sure what you suggest is quite so. 

I'm here out of competition, but there'll be gaplenty more beautiful, attractive I'd prefer, females to behold than stereo speakers. I beg you! 🙈 😏
In fact I had already a go at this on the web, based on the 'freaking' results, I than actually gave the forum a try. 

High end is pretty much a male endeavour, and so is the design of practically most of the hardware.
It is my learned contention, that with very few exceptions, aesthetic considerations, in particular with speakers, is not a primary consideration in this here hobby. Finely polished wood veneers alone does not make a beautiful design. 0

You welcome to disagree of course. 🙏
I've been at audio shows too, and looking at a lot of the items, they in no way passing in terms of WAF. My take, um. 😏 

A lot might qualify as industrial barock when trying to do something more than just boxes, functional boxes yes, some very highly functional, but hardly aesthetically pleasing. 

Thanks again for sharing your suggestions, I do appreciate the attention to all the detail. 
Thank you, 
M. 🇿🇦 
Ok, just to mention, if good speakers 'vanish' once you 'switch them on' - mine certainly do. 

So they still seem 'good speakers' eh? Even after 25 odd years. Interesting to learn. 😇

As for finishes. The older I get the less I'm into wood finish. I mentioned coffins... ⚰ 

I care for all suggestions mentioned, and been doing a lot of looking up of images on the web.
Numerous mentioned I'm familiar with, of sorts already, like e.g. Monitor Audio and that Ape named item, Orangutan et all. 

Some could do from a sound point of review, ok, but looks... not really.

Then there is JVC with compression horn tweeters - give a girl a break! as for their looks. Darth Vader? SCARY! 🙈 

And talking of horns, — OMG! Talk about weird contraptions in your living room. Puleeze!
Can put your bicycle next to it, and your Harley Knuckle-Head if you think.
Don't forget to take care of any oil leaks though. 🙄😱

One more thing to mention, talking of tweeters!
I'm not much of a fan of dome tweeters, neither silk, nor beryllium, or alu, perhaps diamond, yeah and why not. 💍 👍 😃
But ribbon, or a TOTL AMT kind, that will ring a 🛎 with me. 😊

This might now serve the request of narrowing things down a bit, eh? 
And thanks a stack, yet again! 😘 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@lukaske
Hm, interesting at least now I have to acknowledge some here creativity, though looking at the image I'm having two comments : If the front looks like the sides and back? Is it the front?! Odd, kind of idea but interesting. Yes!
Secondly, that ET 👽 tweeter item on top... kind of delicately beautiful like some kind of Meißen piece porcelain creation. 
Though if my cleaner here gets even near to it, I'd get MAJOR paranoid, oh for bloody sure I would.
As for sound... I imagine it will sound as amazingly beautiful as that designer had in his strive for sound perfection.
Looks like they/he/she ticked all the boxes at first glance, yes? 👋 💫 ✨ 

Kudos for bringing it up, will need to look some more into this one. 

Any idea of $$$$... 😉 ? 🤔 🤑🤩
Michélle 🇿🇦 
Ok, panels as well as dipoles need more front wall space, I mentioned that already.
Never mind what the 'dude' thinks pre 4th double (what ever the heck that may be 🏖 ?) about some - beautiful - wooden frame work. Right. 
Stand mounts... Hum...
Number one: too little  volume for bass - and am not really convinced of 6" bass drivers, never mind one only.
Now I have heard some great imaging shelf speakers on stand mounts, maybe one option for chamber music and jazz ensembles if it was my main interest, alas, it's not. I like anythink from Mahler, to Mozart, to Men at Work, and even some! Metallica. 😅

The other thing, also due to my set-up limitations, is the need to pass regularly in back of the speakers, stumbling about the cable, and the maid cleaning would be kind of dangerous I'm sure.
Unless all be screwed and nailed down to the floor 🤣. 
At times I did think a out this idea, but it's not workable. Unfortunately, and also because of the bass limitations, as yet again, I also can't really move  them closer to the front wall, to get some more bass boost. 
Looking at my posted system will make that pretty clear. 

I'm quite taken by all those positive responses to my ponderings. Thanks, and mille grazie! 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@b_limo 
Howdy, I say, you do seem to like things psychedelic then?
I presently left that behind with my bell bottoms.
Na, I'm not agreeing to call these gaudy veneers beautiful, they ARE of course attention seeking, absofuckinglutely, they do have some glam effect, no doubt. 
For my living space - too far out.
Sorry good man 🙏 😉 ✔️ 

Now here absolutely one more extra tricky item are those Magister Iluminas. Wow! 🚀 Daring oh YES I say! 
Would I spend my 💰 on this sort of bleeding edge design?!? 
I'm afraid I'm getting to far on in life, even if I had the, no doubt exorbitant, small change required.
Pitty, no room for experiential endeavours of that sort. 😢😏

But thanks again for bringing it up. If it takes on, when ever, we'll sure hear loads more about it, like e.g. those Manger drivers...?❓😉 
Big thanks y'all 🤣
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@b_limo
Um, jein... 😉 but thanks for some closer shot! 👍
Why I say jein (German slamg for yesno)? 🤔 

Now since we're pushing the envelope, SORRY to one minor item, which those shown might sport, as I can not quickly detect. 

Side firing woofers, yes! But, NOT too close to the floor, this mostly produces too much ~50—40 Hz reinforcement, which is no good (to my liking). 
Alternativly base venting transmission-line, maybe? or passive membrane port of some or other design, if not too slow... 
Front firing woofers of 6" size... I don't really like, sounding mostly wrong to my liking. 

A  nicely sorted 6 - 6¼" mid-woofer supported by some fast 8" is 👍👌. 
Tell me I'm too fuzzy, we had that allready 😁

The other thing, I mentioned is my dislike for dome tweeters in general - but maybe negotiable to some degree. Diamond 💍 ✔️

That blue jean colour... um,... ±, but no ✔ as yet, a bit dull, wouldn't you say?  
Thank you for caring, dear 😊
Michélle 🇿🇦 
In the wall and ceiling units, there IS no available back wall, please look at my system picture! 😕
Secondly I'm living under a very high thatch roof. Dangling wires and speakers from there, not in my life time. Nope. 😏 

Verity Audio... looked again at them, I do know their design(s) - weird high-tech-audio. Not very NICE, at all. 

I also recall now WHY I got myself involved in this Burmester B100 rebuild as it was the only aesthetic design I'd come across at the time, so it was easy to convince me.
Also 100k €, at the time, made it an idea realizable and it was in deed realized.
Look it up on the web if you're interested to see it's looks and design... 

I'm now in a mind to call this wild goose chase off. It seems not to be actually leading anywhere. 
Now all please accept my most sincere thank you's. 
Some things, for better or for worse, are not meant to be 🤩👍🙏

Michélle 🇿🇦 

@m-db
And manh, many thanks for your excellently good Humor! 

I LMAO 😄😄😄😄😄😄🤩

M. 🇿🇦 👋 
@tantejuut
ELAC, I once had, - their baby coffin shape, colour to match. 
Blimey, so now what NEXT, egg 🥚 shapes, now I say... 
for me: I like my eggs for breakfast and unfertilized please.
No need for being musical neither. 

But seriously, look at my set-up - so...
next definition / requirement -
a FLAT SPEAKER TOP. Why? 🤔 
So I can park the odd LP on there!
That's why.
 
Please no comments from the digital gallery now. Most of my LPs are classical ones and unobtanium in CD format (for me, in SA). Leider 😪

Time to 😴 now, M. 🇿🇦 👋 
@b_limo 
🤩👋 now who's funny? Youuuu funny 😄

And say hi to your parrot, eh. 🐦 Sorry only find budgie... 😉 

Na, cheer up, you haven't been had, unless you'd call helping folk find their bearings 'been had' na, na, na. 😘

Thanks again for your support, good man! 🙏

Michélle 🇿🇦 

PS: being on my own, nobody needs to suffer but me 😜
"Ugly speakers just sound better."

Not in all cases, how about EggelstonWorks?

They ugly and sound... ~... according to some review: like 'a curtain in front of them' - maybe not to look at them?!?🤔 
M. 🇿🇦 
@tantejuut, 
Oh yeah! "Bloomhofer" is all I'd need in my house, an' my life. Fugly as sin, good gracious. 
And surely sounding like 😇 Frohlocken, Halleluja... 😉 
Now those others in that lot look bloody sexy by comparison, I say! 😱 

tantejuut you the man! 👍💐
Herr Schroeder! Ich bitte Sie!
Gershman 🙈... mir fehlen die Worte. 

They so ugly, bizarre, they almost pricelessly beautiful. 

Never did I imagine so much weirdness was needed to have good sound. 
I.... find it frightening now! 🤯😵

But, thanks for that education. Seriously. 

M. 🇿🇦 👋 exhausted now 🤪
OK, now how about some reset?

Remember, I mentioned ".... I have a DREAM..."
and I didn't say - a NIGHTMARE -  ! 🙈 🥵 
😘 
The amount of nightmarish items on offer are mind blowing. Really. Seriously!

It's me now I'm feeling being "had" by you lads, y'all on purpose are finding now the worst looking items to suggest as being NICE! 

NICE is a few off clicks down from BEAUTIFUL - and just to be quite sure, NICE ain't FUGLY. 
Really. 
😖 M. 🇿🇦 
@b_limo 
"Her burmesters are pretty cool looking... she should just keep them or get some other burmesters...  I’m more interested in what SHE looks like, lol.  A girl with that kind of taste in Audio gear 😍 prrrrowww..."

Now THAT sounds like some charming approach - best answer to date.
Though not sure turning the place into some sort of dating sight? 🤔 🙈 😉 👏 ❤️

Funny enough having looked up practically ALL the suggestions offered, and without any ambiguity, set aside - so now what do "I" like?

Turns out what I have... - it's what I, so far, yet learned again.
The right kind of size, finish, presentation, over all design including a bit of bling, (cute coffin with bling?😂) is still I seem to like best right now. 
But remember: it's the prerogative of a female to change her mind, eh?! 😉 

Having mentioned the Burmester B100 earlier on, and how it'd impressed me at the time, it sort of still does.
D'apolito carbon-kevlar mids, double ATM JET tweeters horn-loaded, double 8" side firing light cone woofers, hidden, and some delish understated bling. Some alu sparkle offset by some exotic Imbuia wood pieces... That designer had something going (for me) 
Looking at some of those freaky designs proposed, hunch backed, match sticked, extra terrestrial 👽, old fashioned as top hats, etc. quite different, yes! 

It's all I have now (of sorts...not the Imbuia) but not all double, including the size, and 220 pound for each one B100, a blessing when having to move!
They, B100, are too monumental by far, for my place, needs and pocket, yet had/have SOMETHING for me - as have a few more of Burmester items, though definately NOT ALL. 

After this tour de force in suggestions this theme only got reinforced - for lack of a better word. 😉

Love 😍 and 😙
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@douglas_schroeder

Such a good man! 👏😍 

So long you wouldn't spend my household money, etc. regarding a woman additional needs - 💯 %😎 💅

Thank you for sharing this most superior approach to the subject at hand! 👍

This solves the issue of permanently parking coffin like contraptions in the living room, I might (closing my eyes shut) even enjoy the sounds from some or other weird hunch backed or alien 👾 👽 looking creations - As so many already brought up in this here thread. 

BTW - I've never, so far, doubted their musical prowess. Now haven't I, eh? 😊🤩

Michélle 🇿🇦 

One more I like to mention, got used to their looks somehow, clever design improvements on their old fugly Watt/Puppy design. 
Somehow less staid, have something - sort of Hightechy an' all. 😎

Talking about...: Wilson Audio Sasha DAW. 

Though we'd have to wait for yet another stock market revival, no? 🙄

Michélle 🇿🇦 
@douglas_schroeder

Oh, mein lieber Herr Schröder, 
do I detect some major tongue in cheek suggestions, like... if she gets to demanding fork her off to some lifestyle products...? 🤔 
💐 🌷 🎉🌺🍽️🍴🎂🍰💅💅💅💅🤩

If THAT won't quieten her down... 
maybe a nice dinner for two, and some Broadway tickest for the broad! 🙈 

"Got to have them speakers, she's got no idea how BEAUTIFUL they sound, looks? What looks dear, you don't have to go to bed witj them, no?" 😊 

The small differences, will they always have to play up and interfere? 🤔 

In any case, you're the lucky one with that sound man-cave, and so is your partner you say, and so am I, as dreams are free - at least so far 😍🤗 and that is all that counts right now (for me). 

I have to say it again, I've really enjoyed the learning exercise of this enquiry - including those off the wall life-style suggestions. 
And now I should do my nails 💅 for great peace of mind 😌🙏
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@gsm18439

Yes dear, I can agree with you sentiment. 

It brings back that memory when I listened to my, B 961s and also those early Watt/Puppy's.

Those 961 demo speakers where jet-black piano polished. I had them for a while in my appartment (in Munich) - quite differently set about than what's my 'Auberge' now. 

However, as they where stunning - yet they had the effect of having all the sudden a baby grand piona in the room. Kind of 'jimped' at you. 
I got more relaxed once those where returned and replaced with those I'd bought, the silver (alu) structured laminat ones, shown in my system picture. 
I never really looked back, and as it turns out this far, not even after this thread's lenghty discourse. 😊

It's always nice to learn of a happy owner! 😄
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@johnread57

 Count what? Life experiences? 🤔 
💐 
Michélle 
PS: do the complainants ever use e.g. WhatsApp? Just makes me wonder. 
What y'all think them things are for then?
Not to use any, or y'all can't find them on yer keyboard... 😉😘🤗 🌈 💥 🌟 💫 LMAO. 
@mofojo

Hm, got any life experiences to share - in terms of emoji help? 🤔 😣 

Can always consider eating loads of chocolate (Lindt PLEASE!) to create sufficient constipation to keep them emotions all in. 
Not to sure of the health benefits though? 

No idea how you'd do it ?!?

BTW, blogs like this one here, ARE after all are social media - not... academic theses postings for peer reviews.
Ever, at all, noticed there's a minor difference here? At all? 
😘 

Never knew emojis use was a 'Baby Boomer' thing, must be caused by post-ware trauma maybe?

Gotta Google now for 'Psychology of Emoji usage'. 
More food for 💭 hum. 
Michélle... 

PS: Castel(s) in the sky equipped with "Biegewellenwandler" interesting idea, might even improve on life Aeolian harp 'Frohlocken' performance. 😇 LOL. 
@cbrents73

Yes, your Personas are 'workable' suggestions.
Any greater improvement on B961?!?...

😎 Indeed - may just be, though front firing 6½" woofers, not quite my favourite, neither are dome tweeters really, and of course, I only read some reviews - and pray, who can trust these those days?
But they have something, I dare say. 👍 

Michélle 
@taww
Thank you for your bringing up your wife's notions and responses, it's like her words on many items mentioned, taken out of MY mouth!
Please say hello, someone else is seconding her take away this stuff. 😏 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@dpl1 

Nope, Kef blades don't pass my filter. Sorry 🙏 🤗 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
Now, why don't I like front firing smallish woofers? (in 3 way designs...) 

I subscribe (from own experience) to this finding, that woofers still transmit some degree of >= midrange frequencies, - of course also depending on the type of xover/slope. 

Side firing woofers do this of course also, 8", 10" etc. — BUT it is ~ 90° out of your listening line and thereby pretty much out of ear shot.

That's why.
Let the 🔥 begin, eh? 

Michélle 🇿🇦 
Well, amazing, all the odds and ends of speaker 'cabinet' designs coming out of the woodworks. Some more familiar, some not so much. 

Many van der Steen (vandy) fans I notice. His creations have come a long way, I understand. Thus since I had the opportunity to pull the 'sock' of one of his then creations. Pretty weird, not my thing, leaving quite an impression though. 😊

As for side firing woofers... bass, as we surely have heard is *not directional*.
Expanding sphericaly - non-directional, yes?
Two side-firing woofers (toward each other), actually reinfore themselfs.
The reason why Dieter Burmester had favoured that principle, he'd said. RIP 2015.
Woofers then also not too close to the floor! As this would interfere with additional bass 'off timing' floor-reinforment. 

Lastly, surely all noticed, percussions/the drum sets, are practically always residing in back of the leading action. Why?
So it socks you not right in the face... front firing? 

BTW, I have the B961 x-over displayed on my system, apparently Linkwitz type, but clearly seperate high/mid and bass portion and with plenty Mundorf caps + bypass-caps, and resistors (Mills and Kiwame). 

So, 🔥... 😉 

Michélle 🇿🇦 

@bob540
Very well said dear, I like that clear unambiguous take.
Thank you!
Nothing in need to add, as far as I feel about the subject. 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@hr1
Beautiful, great sound, to  match the looks, still in today's world.
I hope not just our here lonesome opinion, eh?

B100, something exceptional it was for me then, and still is.
Fantastic construction behind the looks also. 
Enjoy! Love it! 😊 
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@taww

Violin playing or not playing,
I have to agree on your 'hard no'. 

Talking of alien 👽 looks, eish! 🙈 

Michélle 🇿🇦 

@b_limo 
Do you win? 🤔

OK, you where first, you win 💐 🍰

Michélle 🇿🇦 
@rmcole1
I was just thinking yesterday, NO ONE had mentioned CANTON speakers as yet. 
And there we are! 

Yes, must be my German DNA, — they do have something, who will want to argue? 

And the sound is beautiful too on that YouTube clip. 

From what I can see, their former more bland, butch appearance has improved in a way.
Or is this just my nostalgia speaking? 🤔 

🎂 for you bringing it up. 😊
Michélle 🇿🇦 
@thejeenyus54

GOOD for you, I say! 😉

Talking of beautiful cabinets, you didn't mention the type - there are so MANY, so? 🤔

In the more recent past, I had a pair of SF Olympica II in my place.
Now talking of looks - only, eh?

Obviously the big here item is ones room, as it is, and synergy or lack thereof.

The bass performance of this item was ever so puny, it was more surprising then off-putting, I recall. 

I payed the $$$ for the short pleasure of having them installed, and was happy when they were gone the next day. 

So, please note!
WAF passing 'inspection' only is not a given, - at least not in this here household! 😉

Michélle 🇿🇦 
@mrdecibel
Ah, a consultant in Audio matters,
meet Michélle, IT and Productivity Management consultant a.D. (außer Dienst).😉
Now to the question of outside firing side woofers.

Wouldn't I've tried that? Yes, of course and in all the room settings this speaker was used, this far three, all rather different, the result was - unlistenable. Why?

Bass looses focus completely, bearable with, um, two left ears? 🤔 🙈 😉

Seriously, no good. 
However, there might be room placements / situations that may work, none I'd encountered this far. 

But by all means, it IS a fair question to be asked. 

Lucky enough, the 961s don't weigh in at 100kg (actually only 36kg) so even a single female (with some gumption 💪) can move them about, just! 😅
How? 
One hand in front, one inside that handily placed rear bassreflex-port.

Done like a dinner.😋👍

And thanks again dear, for asking a salient question.

Michélle 🇿🇦