??? What Is Your Favorite Speaker Finish ???

Louis of Omega Speakers did a beautiful job on a custom pair of speakers in African Padauk.  The speakers match the solid Padauk cabinet on my Erhard Ray SET amp.

This wood darkens over time and becomes very rich and even more stunning.  I appreciate many different woods/veneers in different applications, but for audio gear this is unique wood with great character. 

P.S.  I just acquired a pair of Wharfedale Super Lintons with matching stands in Walnut veneer.  The quality of the veneer work and grain of the wood is beautiful to be sure. (Fortunately, they sound every bit as good as they look.)

As I stated in my prior post,  I love a beautiful wood finish especially when the speaker is a part of your home decor.

However, in my dedicated audio room, the matt black finish on my main speakers and subs is ideal for me.  In a dimly lit room only the sound remains and the gear fades into darkness.

Scientific fact:  when the brain does not have to waste neuron loops on visual distractions,  more of your attention focuses on the music!  I always felt good about the fact all my audio dollars went towards good sound in this system.

@freediver  Given my dedicated audio room has no windows by design, and the only thing I use it for is music, and I always listen with very little lighting, your point is  moot in my case.  The "ugly" finish is actually very pleasant and functional and maximizes the return on my audio dollar.  Now if someone has the resources to do otherwise, I would never take issue with that.

As I stated in my initial post, I quite admire a beautiful wood veneer finish and in fact enjoy that in two other systems in my home.  In those cases, decorative considerations come into play.  For me, it's all about context.

Like Grandma used to say, to each his own.