I agree on the aesthetics front. I like the virgo speaker very much for that reason. It has excellent sound, but also it's one of the few high end speakers that you could place in a nice living room, or in front of your view windows. You can also pick it up and move it around the room very easily. In terms of functionality, I have found that some products grow on you, and some tend to tick you off. That's a big reason that I'm into the audiogon used/trial model rather than the listen at dealer for 10 minutes deal. I decide to keep things on the basis of what I tend to use. For example I will set up two cd players next to each other, and trade them back and fourth every couple of days. I find that I just starting using one over the other more. Interestingly, it is not always the more expensive product that you gravitate towards. Odd factors: How cat proof are your speakers? Vandersteens are fairly cat proof if you can live with the hair. How child-safe are your components ? My open-air tube amps had to be put away whenever my inquisitive and throwsome nephew came to visit. I guess your could potentially fry a housecat with them too.
Important Qualities Other than Sound
As audiophiles we are suppose to hold sound quality as the ultimate goal. While superior sound is extremely important, I also value reliabilty, low maintenance, reasonable physical size, how the equipment looks, costs, build quality, dealer support and the manufacturer's general reputation. At different times I have consciously chosen what I thought to be a lesser sounding piece of equipment due to one of the above factors. When you are evaluating a piece of equipment, how do YOU balance these other factors against overall sound quality?