Ugliest Component of the Year 2024!

The wife was adamant: "I don't want speakers that look like Rosie the maid."

I think the McIntosh ML1 MK II speakers look good, and unless they sound really bad, I plan to get a pair in the near future. Visually, there’s no comparison with the Tekton 1812. They’re nightmarishly ugly. I can’t believe someone could design something like that, let alone put it in a room.

I've never seen a Mac that wasn't hideous.

...at least they're on sale right now.  grab a few dozen and impress your friends. 

I don't know if this was already mentioned, but...Bonneville | Tekton Design

Vivid audio…

Reminds me of coneheads

Anything by Chord!  (I own DAVE and M Scaler.)

@yakbob +1

And yes, Braun under Dieter Rams set a highwater mark for audio gear design. I can't really think of another brand that came close.

@yakbob I agree, it's cool in its own weird way. But overall, the colors and the materials are just not a sophisticated look for me, more like a kids toy oven in a doll house.

@grislybutter , I actually like the look of the new quad units in a retro Braun kind of way.

I am a big fan of Quad but this is wild:

https://quad-hifi.co.uk/collections/33-303-series

In support of Eric at Tekton, I He has been nothing short of nice, helpful, spending time has been no object. I have had Tekton Double impacts(still have them) for 4 years and loved them for Rock and Roll, have great electronics (ex: Amp Pass X250.8, Bricasti M1SE DAC)  Due to speaker efficiency, listen via Class A power. Wanted more Mid range and high Frequency transparency and depth. He built me Serial number 5 and 6 of a special ENCORE version, 175lbs. Everything I wished for and more, wasn't cheap, at least for me, but still under 10K. The first shipment was destroyed by FED EX (shipping)  After initially waiting some time for shipping for the original to be built (special cabinet and drivers) he and company made an outstanding effort to build me another pair quite quickly. May be as said (in the eye of the beholder) but, these speakers are so dynamic and accurate and, No pun interned, Rock and Roll. Thank you Eric, they really work for me. Listen and make your own mind up. Robert TN

Wilson Audio speakers often generate strong opinions….they have a distinct house sound that doesn’t resonate with everyone. I never could warmed up to their sound or appearance. 

That's where the resemblance ends. The industrial trash bins clearly win on dark floor and PRAT.

Maybe not of this year but the Wilson Alexia speakers that are featured in the emails from Audiogon look like industrial grade trash bins. The ones you see in front of many stores and feature the swinging flap doors. I can only imagine what the wife would say if I hauled a pair of those home. You paid how much for those?

+1@larri

LMAO 😂

Yes that chord unit is quite bad to my eyes. What were they thinking! But the red Tektons might be worse!  Is there gonna be a vote? 

All of mine....really don't give a limp one over 'cute'......

It's part of the pile....or not.

Yes, that Chord unit is ugly and stupidly designed.  YUK!

Beat this for ugly.  I dare you!

https://chordelectronics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ultima-Pre-Front-900x675.jpg

If the component looks like it fell out of an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, then you know you got ugly! On the other hand, a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The look of a component has a big influence (psychological) as to what we may think of its cosmetics and performance.

For me it’s a tie between McIntosh and D’Agostino.  

So, I can save some money. So, I could/can donate to Oregon Humane Society, where many dogs and cats are wait for help ($$$).

Ugly or beautiful, I don't care. I just checked the price of the Mc CD player, $5,000.

I am using Musical Fidelity CD player ($750 used, 21 yr old). Sounds still wonderful. Maybe with help of nice speakers, Vienna Mahler.

Below are my opinion, just my opinion.

Performance: Mc $5,000  99/100       Musical F. $750   95/100

3% difference is barely dicernable in terms of real listening environment.

However, in terms of visuality or possession satisfaction:

Mc $5,000   99.9/100          Musical F. $750   20-30/100

This is an ugly version of Mac gear. I agree with you. A Kalista CD Player and Shanling CD Player are the opposite as classy modern. Jadis, Goldmund, older Woo Audio, etc. are all examples of attractive CD Players.

For another less attractive but better than the Mac is Wadax Studio CD Player and their Reference DAC is more like a science fiction monster than a audiophile jewelry above as stated previously, giant boombox.

I agree that the Yanko Design is in both poor taste and ridiculous just to be a media sales choice. I disagree concerning the Vivid speakers as my wife and I feel they are attractive but not up to Von Schweikert sound quality.

@kbmr Goldmund Apologue speakers are UGLY, worse than unattractive Mac.

@tunehead My friend has a Von Langa Berlin but this model is ruined by the white horns on a black monolith tower. Just plain black would at least be unobtrusive.

@tony1954 Well, this Tekton 1812 isn't pretty/obnoxious actually.  Reminds me of some similar Mac speakers of old.

There is a lot of needlessly expensive and certainly needlessly tinsel looking equipment out there. Guaranteed the majority of it is made cheaper with the price way up, they have to do something hoping to bells and whistles into peoples Wallets. Not picking on Mc alone but that’s a classic example of stuff that’s starting to look like junk. Bose will make it better…fat chance. If I had to own Mc as with others new or used, I’d put it in a fan cooled cupboard I designed and close the door !!  Goes hand in hand with the Gimmicky looking cords. Then there’s the Tekton look… designed to give you that divorce. 

Indeed. Apologies for the off topic question. Going to start a thread and ask.

@thecarpathian In spirit with the topic at hand, last I checked Krell was trending in the wrong direction in regards to aesthetics.

Last Krell products I have considered owning are from over 10 years ago. Aesthetics are a factor for me personally.

I’ve always liked Krell when I hear it. Clean and detailed and not fatiguing . Hope they can hang in there. I do think they need to get with the times both in form and function.

Anybody know what the latest on Krell is?

Yup, very retro, but notice the smaller width.  A lot of users

will appreciate these dimension.  17 19 wide take up shelf 

space.  At this width many users will be able to put two

units side by side on same slelf.

Can't find a picture that fully shows how ugly this krell design is.   Obnoxious blue light that you cannot turn off and giant block letters that make it look like it should cost $2000 at most.   Just horrible.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisag1d6-krell-duo-300-xd-solid-state

With the Bose purchase we may be looking at most attractive of the product line as it develops into the future.

I like the designer but I just can't stand the look of these:

Even if I could afford them because they sounded incredible, I could not look at any of the Wadax components and realized they look like a large GMC front grill. We really need more females to enter the design side of the house. 
 

See what I mean regarding GMC grill

https://st.automobilemag.com/uploads/sites/11/2019/01/2020-GMC-Sierra-2500HD-Denali-005.jpg

I agree with most of the posts here---but mine is the Hifi Rose RA 180 integrated. It's wayyyyy too busy looking with the cogwheel looking buttons. It's too much for me. 

Any Zesto Audio phono preamplifier. The ugly reflective steel curved design looks like it was intended to be an ash tray from the 1960's. Way ugly.

I’m not sure which I like best the black speakers that look like they have a white mushrooms growing on the side or the speakers that grew a massive tulip erection.

great designs for the blind. 

Anything in black.

@zerofox  +++++100000000

Just my opinion. No harm intended. 

Hegel reminds me of the texture of a 2005 Chevrolet dashboard. Their amplifiers are their worst component because they are so plain. 

HIFIRose RA-180 Integrated amplifier. The one with all the gears, knobs, and levers. It just visually tries way too hard. 

ugliest component is anything that is NOT McIntosh

My overall picks go to Tekton follow by McIntosh and  third Hegel Amplifier😂😉😉😂

Yeesh! I'd rather look at the ass speakers...

OOF. Even a dog would leave the room.

https://goldmund.com/goldmund-apologue-loudspeaker-pinel-cyril-kongo/

Honestly, they look a lot more fun than Wilson's lugubrious upright coffins.

Tekton, tweeter arrays trigger minor arachnophobia creep out, but bargain sonics mostly

The Linn LP12-50 Turntable for 60K is truly outrageous. 

OOF. Even a dog would leave the room.

https://goldmund.com/goldmund-apologue-loudspeaker-pinel-cyril-kongo/

It’s a throwback look to compliment some of their older tube equipment. I think it’s ugly too, but it may appeal to some. I do like the look of a lot of their other equipment.

I suppose it's a blessing in our industry that those component designers with a bad eye for aesthetics may be brilliant in their ability to make sonically amazing gear.  On the flip side I've experienced components that look amazing but sound like crap.  At the end of the day, I'll take the former condition.  Now if you can get both aesthetics and performance that's a bonus!