possibility of refinishing speaker

I suspect the total economics, including resale vale, would actually favor you swapping your cherry finish for a factory finished black satin. Talk to an SF dealer they might be able to locate a floor sample or returned unit that could facilitate a straight swap. Otherwise you might independently sell your unit and buy a black satin replacement.

Onhwy61 +1

Even a perfect result would likely crush retail, and it is not at all unlikely that you won't get a perfect result.

John

Don't do it! If you have to ask the question you don't have the expertise to do a perfect job; unless, of course, you don't care about that or about resale. My first pair of Stax f-81's had been painted in piano-black by the previous owner, and I must say that the end result, while not exactly perfect was pretty good. And DON'T USE DUCT TAPE! You'll never get the tape residue off without ruining the finish.

You could also achieve a flat black finish with a blow torch...just make sure you do it in a well ventilated room. My duct tape comment was in jest...man, you gotta be careful around here. I've thought about the opposite for my speakers...Silverline Preludes in cheesy (but OK I suppose) brown woodgrain vinyl. Part of why they're (or used to be) relatively inexpensive...anyway, I've wondered how much a woodshop would charge to put a cool striped ebony veneer on 'em...assuming I prepped the speakers. Or, I could glue orange shag carpet to the things...or print out high resolution photos of Brazilian rosewood...thinking...just thinking.

Only if you replace the surrounds with deep red ones, like the old Cerwin-Vegas, then you will have a nice looker!
I consider doing something with the dust caps too. :)