The best looking speakers

mijostyn, you wrote { Believe it or not K horns are usually well accepted because they fit tight into a corner, are made of handsome veneers and don't look like speakers. Unfortunately, most of us do not like the sound as is. }  Have you even heard a pair of Klipschorns? If you have and didn't like them they probably weren't set up correctly.  I agree they probably are the most beautiful speakers extant and recently there's a newer version that's redesigned that doesn't have to fit tightly in the corners. I'm ordering a pair after my house is built and with my H.H. Scott tube amp I'll be in heaven again!  Incredible bargain!!!

I have to disagree with the opinion "Magnepans are the ugliest . . ." They have such a pure simplicity they look more beautiful than speakers costing five or even six figures. Magnepans sound to me more like live music in the opera house I go to than the kind of speakers only a television evangelist, who is probably incapable of empathy with composers who are inspired by genuine light (not physical Maxwellian photons in this world) from some higher world, would buy to show off how much he can spend.
Wife acceptance factor is helped because they are light enough to be moved out of the way when not in use. Just mark the floor where they sound best.

If you can find a pair for sale, the Jadis Eurythmie................The ’96, N.Y. Stereophile audio show, at the Waldorf, was their introduction to the US market, along with some other Jadis gear. I was part of that exhibit, as the music playing host. Many significant others, who seemed to be dragged to the show by their nerdy audiophile spouses, lol, wrote on comment cards handed out by the importer, on how beautiful they were, and how much they looked liked giant butterflies ( no kidding, and no comments from the majority of them, about the music being played ). Those music comments were left by the nerdy audiophile spouses, again, lol.

lukaske, ’Less Is More" indeed...
$ that is. ;)
Nice to see that omnis are having a bit of a renaissance of interest and attention on the tech side. I’m down with that. *S*
But....I think I’ll stick with my DIY Walsh.
Certainly less impact on the budget for this more modestly moneyed mortal. About 1/500th of the Magister (if we’re talking cost in US$....even with my labor added I'm still far less than 30K anything...).
That, and I’d be more impressed if Ilumnia had ’doubled down’ with an omni tweeter as well.
I have.
Zero phase distortion, too...

The best looking speakers for you and your wife ! , is the. “Ilumnia Magister” or the “Ilumnia Vocalis” . And de sound is wonderfull. Look at : ilumnia.be  The Magister about 30K and the Vocalis about 13000K.

@captainsteve
Awesome!  Please let us know how you like them.  I presume you are buying new, and hence getting the new "Graphene 2" version of the Perspectives?
Those are what I"ve been aiming for myself.

I was debating on Joseph Audio Perspective or PMC Fact 12. I have the Fact 8. I decided to go for the JA as it ticks all of my boxes also it is not a tough sell for eye candy in my sound room I am expecting delivery end of September decided to go with the sapeli finish.

Taste being subjective all I could contribute is what are the best looking speakers to me.

I actually think the Thiel 2.7 speakers, which I now happily own, are about as close to "perfect" for speaker aesthetics as I can think of.They depart from the boring rectangle shape, yet aren’t a crazy, gauche design, but very sleek and contemporary with gorgeous wood finishes (mine being ebony). A really beautiful piece of furniture which IMO enhances a room.

I also really like the Joseph Audio Perspectives - just a bang-on combination of slender proportions that combined a modern-with-classic look with impeccable wood finish work.

Also love the Devore Fidelity O/96 speakers for a great combo of comfy-classic styling made contemporary.

Wisdom Audio Adrenaline Rush. My wife loves them.

I have Sonus Fabers, Martin Logans and Harbeths and they are all beautiful in the right settings. 

I've got two set of Acoustic Zen's (Adagio's in Maple Maple and Crescendo in Walnut Burl) and both set's are beautiful pieces of furniture to look at let alone the sound they produce.

If you have $260,000 you could get a pair of the MBL 101 X-tremes. I guess it is no surprise the speaker won a Golden Ear Award in The Absolute Sound. In reality, however, I would go with Vienna Acoustics, Sonus Faber, or B&W. 

Wilson Benesch Vectors in various finishes. Form follows function fabulously.  

http://wilson-benesch.com/vector-floor-standing-loudspeaker/

Mine.....*L*

Avalon Acoustic 
Usher Mini Dancer DMD 2

The latest T+A Criterion looks superb finished in whitewashed oak.
The speakers are refined and lowkey enough to pass as designer furniture IMO.

https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/loudspeakers/criterion-ctl/criterion-s-2200-floor-standing-speaker/

One more for JBL Paragons, Metregons, and Hartsfields.  I have a restored Metregon in a bedroom and it’s the centerpiece of the room.  Along with those classics but a current model, JBL DD67000 Everests are worthy of an art museum...  

Boenicke 

The KLH Nines! And double pairs have even more WOW factor!

At lot of speakers are designed to draw attention to themselves, or to look good in and of themselves. I looked for a speaker that did just the opposite, to blend in as much as possible with the room it was in, and to draw as little as possible attention to itself. That was on of the reasons I chose Magico A3's. Their appearance is refined as you can get in a plain black box that does not call attention to itself.

Many, if not most, larger speakers are pure eyesores in a room, the bigger they are the more gruesome and overwhelming to a room's decor. No wonder our spouses get pissed off about having them in the house. Magico's at least are not garish or weirdly shaped as some speakers are and distract you as little as possible from the surrounding room furnishings, even though there is no ignoring them or most other large speakers.

Mike

Triangle Theta stand mounts. Sound and beauty.

I think the first response in this string was Sonus Faber.  I have to support and agree with that opinion.  My wife will not “tolerate” (I still wear pants😝) speakers that do not look like furniture.  It took me some time to find the right line of speakers to grow into.  Grow into meaning as my budget increased, I could count on the line of speakers to support my acoustic expectations and my wife’s “furniture” expectations.  Sonus Faber has not let me down in meeting my growth goals.

Just like you know a good speaker when you hear one, you'll recognize a good looking speaker when you see it. The trick is achieving both simultaneously, while staying within your budget. Best of luck in your search.

Sonus Faber Aida or Estelon Extreme.

The new full range Larsen 9's are small, quite stylish and are placed against the wall, so don't intrude into the room. Amazing bass and tonality as well. Worth checking out.

p.p.s. Granted, they do have a low WAF!

p.s., I’m surprised no one mentioned the early JBL line. Maybe a lack of experience, they are ‘60 plus years old! 

IMHO the best looking(& most impressive) are the JBL Paragons, Metregons, and Hartsfields. Not the best sounding (although not BAD). The generate the most Oohs & Ahhs. They are conversation starters, for sure. There are a lot of ‘pretty’ speakers, and a ton of great sounding speakers out there but the early JBL Line is, hands down, the most impressive looking. Again, IMHO‼️

No matter what the color, material or shape; if it sounds great, my appreciation for its aesthetics (or lack of) will rise to the same level

+1 Sonus Faber 

Any of the Tannoy Prestige series....your ears will thank you too

Totally depends on your aesthetic and room furnishings. I'm on my third (and last) pair of Daedalus Audio speakers. Can't decide whether I love the look or the sound of them more. Heirloom pieces, crafted one at a time by a master craftsman who knows what real instruments sound like and is able to get his speakers to reproduce them accurately. Not for everyone though--we have a house full of Stickley reproductions so Lou's speakers just blend in beautifully, adding to the ambiance (my wife might say at least not detracting from it). But many people these days prefer a modern, spartan aesthetic like you see in all the magazines--places where something from Wilson or Rockport would fit right in and my Daedalus Apollo's would look out of place. 

If your home's aesthetic leans towards the resurgence of mid century modern, the Davone speaker line would fit right in. Have an Eames lounge chair in the room?  The Davone Ray would look great out in front.
But...I always wonder if these "form first" products live up to the sound quality of their uglier counterparts. The reviews are always from tech outlets and not traditional audio press.

I also think you should look at YG , as they are almost sculpturel.

Tekton of course!

Harbeths but that depends on your decor. In our kinda modern loft sort of place, the M30.1s are gorgeous, especially on thin stands like the old Foundation. That said, I think the best looking speaker of all time is the original Quad ESL, loved by my wife as well, but we don't have the space anymore.

When it comes to WAF, mine seemed to prefer soft lines and curvy appearances rather than straight lines, sharp edges, and form follows function approach.  Naturally she liked sonus faber lute shaped speakers.  Surprisingly she also really likes the verity audio Parsifal in makore finish.  With the bass module facing to the rear, the monitors look like they are resting on fine furniture.

MAGICO M3s or M2s are the best looking and sounding speakers out there.

Depending on the surrounding decor, personal taste, and budget, the understated elegance of Daedalus Audio speakers may be worth considering. From their website:

All of our speaker cabinets are made with solid .75” thick renewable North American Hardwoods. There are no veneers or MDF. For over twenty five years we have been building speaker cabinets of solid hardwood for both home and professional use, and they have been used worldwide proving the durability, sonic and visual excellence of solid wood.

The hardwood for every pair of speakers is individually matched and chosen with the preferences of the client in mind, very much the same process as having a fine instrument custom built by a luthier. These are heirloom speakers and the hardwood is the heart of every pair.

And if you research comments on them in past threads here and elsewhere I think you’ll find that their combination of "fast" and dynamic yet very natural sound character, high efficiency, high power handling capability, benign impedance characteristics, and versatility with respect to amplification hold a lot of appeal as well.  And, last but not least, Lou Hinckley of Daedalus is a pleasure to deal with

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Oh and notice how nobody talks about Wilson, YG or Magico. Are they on the right path? 

Sonus Faber seems to come up most often and their upper line is certainly beautifully made. The Aida is also beautiful to listen to. If I had a room that was unacceptable for a Big ESL that is what I would go with. 

Gale 401a [the chrome end ones]. 45 years on they are still the most beautiful speaker made and they sound better than 99% of modern speakers too.Next to that Sonus Faber Amati Futura are gorgeous sculptural things that also sound superb.

Corinthian Leather of course.

Focals are Sexiest.

Sonus Faber are most Elegant

PMC has the edgy modern look going pretty well.

One can certainly Dilly with Dali

I own none of them and am still married.

You can't miss with fine leather: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5MXCLc0yeM&frags=pl%2Cwn

All the best,
Nonoise

how about these with a fine leather finish.
http://www.rossofiorentino.com/en/collections-fiesole.asp

@boxer12 beat me to it.
Mine. Every single time.

All the best,
Nonoise

I have a thing for the zu audio speakers too.

Vienna acoustics, salk sound, Wilson and meridian for the modern look. Lumen white, acoustic zen. The grey oak on the contour 60’s.

I do too! 
The Focal 2/3 Speakers not only look great they also sound great!

ozzy