Before I order the Magnepan 1.7s...


Hi. My wife and I finally agreed to put a proper stereo in the big room (700 sqft or thereabouts) and I bought a massive Krell amp in preparation for the eventual Magnepan purchase because we decided that the aesthetics of those speakers (with white socks) were tolerable. 

Before I pull that trigger, though, are there any "beautiful" speakers, respected by the audiophile community, that I should consider? I've looked over SFs and Focals, and they're indeed beautiful, but not so beautiful as to sway us. 

(as an aside, really, would it kill some of these manufacturers to offer a few more finishes-- with high-resolution photos taken from modern homes? They are literally throwing money out the window with these Geocities-quality websites. I'm surely not the only suburbanite looking for an audiophile-approved speaker with nice aesthetics)

Thank you.
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Showing 12 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

btw,

when you consider the look of magnepan, any flat panel, you might want to visualize a pair of big subs, because they will not produce enough bass IMO, so I would discuss that with the wife before you order.
interesting

what are the dimensions of that big room?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143051891253

they are about 1-1/2 hr from me. seller says local pickup

why not talk to a local woodworker about adding your chosen veneer to a speaker with a design you like?

pull the drivers, refinish, re-install the drivers!
I owned these Model 2’s, they are my 2nd favorite speakers, gave them to my son.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649761456-pair-jse-infinite-slope-model-2a-speakers-teak-finish-...

very easy to refinish, custom veneer, all flat surfaces, have it your way. new fabric easy, simple staple job, your color, as long as you can easily breathe thru it, In the old days, we used to blow cigarette smoke thru as a test.

different finishes

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS963US963&sxsrf=ALeKk00rMhZR9sQI_Q6a__oyoznLSS3NLw:...

tweeters replaced is a good thing, those dynaudio 21’s burn out easily, I replaced mine with focals.

two patents, unique advantages,

they were designed with wheels, they move here and there easily. I changed mine from 4 to 3 wheels, more weight per wheel, always wobble free.
I'm just having fun finding vintage speakers in hifishark, sort price high to low, finding many I never knew existed or heard.

those dali's are beautiful, many dual 6-1/2" designs are gorgeous, yet every one I have heard leave me wanting more bass.

here's Emitters on top of what I consider built in subs, as I think the magnepans need more low end with external subs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/153742621146?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...
I hope someone is enjoying me being retired with the time to play

a few more I found, price is reducing with these finds

https://reverb.com/item/38813258-wharfedale-elysian-4-tower-speakers-pair-piano-walnut

altec coronas (also used L-Pads).

https://skyfiaudio.com/collections/all-collections/products/altec-lansing-corona-832a-vintage-speake...

https://jeffsplace.positive-feedback.com/%E2%99%AB-altec-832a-corona/

tannoy had 'up front' controls, visible with dust covers on, to adjust to your space

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373605442413?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

don't look, I'm sorry I did

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132901953041?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

another interesting yet frightful sight

https://reverb.com/item/42240926-tannoy-tannoy-kensington-speakers-tannoy-super-fine-tweeter-pair-20...

has anyone heard these?

https://reverb.com/item/39989017-cabasse-riga-2-on-stand-pair-2way-coaxial-speakers-the-pearl-active...

very unique, amazing woodwork

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649755798-odeon-audio-no28-se-3-way-horn-speakerspickup-only...

pair of 5" with integral 12" woofer 

https://www.bonanza.com/booths/All_in_1_Shop_4U/items/750797533?awc=6238_1627739658_dea3e0ff03ee40ec...

real vintage electro-voice restored

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649759304-electro-voice-patrician-iv-legendary-vintage-speak...

some nice woodwork

https://www.ebay.com/itm/143908284648?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...






very unique appearance

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324249372836?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.marktplaats.nl/a/audio-tv-en-foto/luidsprekers/m1733424416-set-devialet-phantom-gold-spe...

https://www.olx.pt/d/anuncio/avantgarde-acoustic-solo-colunas-corneta-horn-speakers-IDGk1nL.html?isP...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362966583960?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154336434788?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649662384-stradivarius-string-bass-speakers/

https://www.audiophile.org/Ilan/Ascendo-system-e-tower-speakers/42170

https://reverb.com/item/4374229-gershman-acoustics-sw-1-x-1-speakers

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333947075889?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

I remember hearing these at a show

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649740812-jbl-250ti-speakers/images/3280982/

I worked one block from Harvey's, 45th st, nyc, height of modernism

https://reverb.com/item/37107638-bang-olufsen-beolab-2-full-system-2-speakers-w-all-manuals-and-guid...

these look like the ushers I heard at a demo, awesome

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294282255159?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://sound-affair.com/bang-and-olufsen-product/beolab-8002/

https://sound-affair.com/bang-and-olufsen-product/beolab-17-floor-stands-black/

waterfall glass

https://www.2dehands.be/a/audio-tv-en-foto/luidsprekerboxen/m1724810781-waterfall-audio-victoria-evo...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/114443730408?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

I never heard of Goodmans

https://usato.audiograffiti.com/annunci/diffusori-acustici/252267/

oh yeah, walsh

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255053896568?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274590344437?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649684055-vivid-audio-oval-v15-speakers/images/3011806/

lets not forget anthony gallo

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649760769-anthony-gallo-acoustics-reference-31-speakers-with-sa-...

davone again

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324247647261?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

bose 901's were unique in their day

https://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/bose-901-mk-vi-speakers-equaliser-stands/17313309

anyone?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254641581126?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

https://www.audiodoo.de/hifi-marktplatz/inserat.html?tx_pnmaudiodoo_pi5%5BshowAd%5D=12888

Quad's, the original unique look, unique sound

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333001735505?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

beolab surround

https://sound-affair.com/bang-and-olufsen-product/beoplay-14-5-1/

I remember these, out of nowhere, Canton everywhere!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/163898944564?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

just unusual in a way

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373620565067?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

gorgeous finish, never heard them

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649734072-lsa-10-statement-monitor-speakers/images/3248104/

the original new look for B&W

https://reverb.com/item/42289598-bowers-and-wilkins-b-w-801-matrix-2-floor-speakers-1991-walnut

talk about unique looking

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324712125836?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

another curiosity

https://www.marktnet.nl/audio-video-film/luidsprekers/actieve-zang-set-1800-watt-2-x-sub-2-x-top-spe...

morel bookcase

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184946644455?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

new, for a 'budget' start, I would like to hear them

https://www.ebay.com/itm/373641405296?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

zu 'wont fit in a' bookshelf

https://skyfiaudio.com/collections/all-collections/products/zu-audio-omen-bookshelf-mk-ii-speakers-i...

unique looking KEF

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234086841393?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

it's been fun, I gotta stop now