When it comes to equipment/speakers that look as good as they sound, atleast to the female gender, think Italian or French. My JM Lab Mini Utopias have always been well received by women. If you're willing to consider used, the Minis are smaller than your 104.2s and are frequenly listed on Audiogon.
Does it / Do they pass the wife test? Speakers
I am looking for some speakers that can pass the preverbial wife test(if there is such a thing). I had some kef 104/2's (that I really liked by the way) that were "too big". Are there some great sounding monitors/speakers that would fit in the "approved Category"?. Used or new!