Interesting perspective by the OP. I thought the more modern designs were in part a response to what was previously found unattractive in older speaker designs. Some of the older speaker designs were of some necessity due to the amplification technology of that era.
Some years ago, but much closer to today than some of the previous designs, Thiel's speakers were actually praised in an article in Architectural Digest.
I think that the promotion and wider use of multiple speakers for home theatre use might have had an influence on many more recent designs.
I've often heard that the use of MDF; besides offering costs benefits, might be better for the environment and perhaps more importantly was better at reducing stored energy. I wonder if the use for an all solid wood speaker might be driven to appeal to the consumers desire for pride in ownership? All things considered the use of MDF with solid veneers might be the value leader. Though the use of alternate materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, etc., is interesting to me, I use speakers with MDF with solid wood veneers and the speakers that I have been considering are the same. If my budget permitted the German Physiks in carbon fiber finish might be mine.
Some years ago, but much closer to today than some of the previous designs, Thiel's speakers were actually praised in an article in Architectural Digest.
I think that the promotion and wider use of multiple speakers for home theatre use might have had an influence on many more recent designs.
I've often heard that the use of MDF; besides offering costs benefits, might be better for the environment and perhaps more importantly was better at reducing stored energy. I wonder if the use for an all solid wood speaker might be driven to appeal to the consumers desire for pride in ownership? All things considered the use of MDF with solid veneers might be the value leader. Though the use of alternate materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum, etc., is interesting to me, I use speakers with MDF with solid wood veneers and the speakers that I have been considering are the same. If my budget permitted the German Physiks in carbon fiber finish might be mine.