Ugly vs Gogeous speakers

Vandersteen Treos (CT in my case) have a clean architectural look I like, but also lots of lovely matched cherry veneer. I know the finish doesn’t add to the sound quality but since I spend a fair amount of time sitting facing them, and it’s nicer than the stretch-sock exterior of some towers.

The Treos replaced a pair of KEF LS-50s which were also beautiful, but I couldn’t find stands to put them on that didn’t ugly them up.

I have some ugly ones that sound great.

Daedalus speakers have heirloom quality woodwork. All pieces fitted and joined to perfection. No screws or nails. No mdf either. All solid North American hardwoods with gorgeous details. Plus the sonics are world class.

I run a custom built set of Linkwitz Orions, which normally have kind of a Danish Modern look.  Not bad actually, especially compared to pretty much most of the monstrosities listed here.   His LX521 is every bit as good as anything I've ever heard, but is inherently butt ugly.  But you can afford it, unlike most mentioned here.

I had my Orions built in a kind of Mission style, to go with my Craftsman bungalow.  I think they look pretty good.
https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/russbutton.com/Russ/audio/photos/home_system/20150503_160924.jpg

I'm still chuckling over 'a gorgeous form of ugly'...

There's a lot of that 'out there'...the MBLs' have been referred to 'alien fire hydrants'. and scrolling back through this thread  there's been a lot slung at other units of various 'intent'...

It truly is 'eye of the beholder'....mixed with the 'ear of the owner', which makes it truly a very mixed bag.  It's no wonder that the 'serious listening space' (aka, "Man Cave") has evolved into a very planned and detailed arrangement when taken to the extremes....

Which leads me to an observation and a question: Is this a Good Thing, or a Bad Thing?  Do we expect the 'new recruit' to not be shocked at the extremes of both details and costs to not be driven off by what could be viewed as dilettantes discussing the population of angels on a pin head?  Will he/she/either just decide to be happy with the Bluetoothed turntable bought to explore 'this vinyl thing'?  When approached by a 'newbie' with some basic questions, shall we rein in the urge to flood them with cable this 'n that. and our personal prefs in that regard?

Should we erect a 'newbie forum'?  Big letters at the entry:

"Welcome to a very satisfying pursuit, the quest for music as You perceive it.  The experience can be as simple or as involved as You choose to make it.  Here you will find some basic advice and commentary on how to begin.  Stop at any time if you're happy with what you hear and experience.  Or, as your interest evolves, you can investigate your thoughts and desires for Perfection as you see fit.  In any case, WELCOME."

We can be an opinionated and rather daunting bunch to the casual observer.  And the technology is still evolving...the 'A' amp of now may become the 'A+' of tomorrow, since it's just a matter of design and software now.  I'm not saying 'toss that fire-bottled 70# thing into the recycle bin, no.  Just keep in mind that the future wins, eventually.

 Someone WILL figure out how to make a 'point source' speaker that will make anything we currently discuss its' pros and cons Moot.  And you will probably buy them.  Because they're that much Better....

All speakers sound good to those that own them, regardless of what they look like. *shrug*  'Twas always thus.  Any audio show proves that....