Looks do matter.

jaxwired
jaxwired Posts: 201
edited March 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Sound quality is job one, but that doesn't mean that looks don't matter at all. The appearance of equipment still matters to me. It's much less important than sound quality and I would be prone to ignore most offenses, but having the drivers just hang out the back of the speaker like Emerald Physics does is crossing the line for me. Drivers and the "internal" cabling is not attractive in my opinion.

I'd also say that Emerald Physics must agree with me since it is very difficult to find an internet pic showing the back of these speakers...

emerald_physics_speaker_side.jpg
2 Channel
NAD C545 -> Benchmark DAC1 -> Bryston BP6 -> Bryston 4B SST2 -> Dynaudio Contour S1.4
Post edited by jaxwired on
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Comments

  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited March 2010
    I think it looks cool, and very unique, but looks aside, sound is what matters most.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited March 2010
    jaxwired wrote: »
    It's much less important than sound quality and I would be prone to ignore most offenses, but having the drivers just hang out the back of the speaker like Emerald Physics does is crossing the line for me. Drivers and the "internal" cabling is not attractive in my opinion
    It's an open baffle speaker, what else would you expect?
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • packetjones
    packetjones Posts: 1,059
    edited March 2010
    Those are pretty cool looking. I like the interchangeable wooden veneers. There is no way that I would but them but they look cool. lol
    Front - RTiA5's
    Rear - RTiA3's
    Center - CSiA4
    Sub - PSW110
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  • jaxwired
    jaxwired Posts: 201
    edited March 2010
    Here's my take. While the speaker might look cool to techno friendly guys, if we use the WAF scale of 1 to 10, this speaker is maybe a 2.
    2 Channel
    NAD C545 -> Benchmark DAC1 -> Bryston BP6 -> Bryston 4B SST2 -> Dynaudio Contour S1.4
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2010
    AFAIC, a speaker can be a wonderful performer, but if it's extremely goofy looking I'll look to something else that performa as well and looks better. So for me, asthetics is definitely a factor.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited March 2010
    I think they look pretty cool however, I wonder how hard they would be to set up with that open baffle design. How far from the back wall would those have to be to sound right on the money. I've heard Phil's AADs and while not an open baffle design it has a rear firing port and needs to be like 6' from the back wall to keep from getting overwhelming or boomy bass.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited March 2010
    To each his own.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2010
    I don't think they look bad. I would be more concerned about protection of the exposed wiring.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2010
    I do think that a speaker has to look as good as it sounds.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • Montoya
    Montoya Posts: 506
    edited March 2010
    I'm sure they sound awesome but they are fugly. I agree with jaxwired WAF scale would be a 1-2 on a 1-10 scale.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited March 2010
    What else would you expect with an open baffle design? I mean, come on folks. If you want an open baffle design, you get what you get. Nothing more, nothing less.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • jaxwired
    jaxwired Posts: 201
    edited March 2010
    treitz3 wrote: »
    What else would you expect with an open baffle design? I mean, come on folks. If you want an open baffle design, you get what you get. Nothing more, nothing less.

    Well Magnepan speakers are baffle-less and they are much more attractive.
    2 Channel
    NAD C545 -> Benchmark DAC1 -> Bryston BP6 -> Bryston 4B SST2 -> Dynaudio Contour S1.4
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,033
    edited March 2010
    One could always construct a custom enclosure for the back, much like Carver did for all of the ALS series if the want the WAF gettin' it on.....

    Although, his were included and not custom.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited March 2010
    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2010
    Those would not fly with my wife..she'd think I'd turned our livingroom into a

    LABORATORY and that I should be walking around in a white lab coat like Mr. Polk?

    Or maybe that men in 'white coats' should come get me?

    No go!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2010
    Having exposed drivers is part of the design of the speaker...not simply an aesthetic choice.

    I don't think these were exactly designed with WAF in mind anyway.


    Personally, I think they look pretty cool...and I wouldn't mind giving some a try someday. I've heard great things about Emerald Physics.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited March 2010
    I don't disagree..they may sound great in a room where they are the most important occupants. But really, they look like something from a bad '70s sci-fi film....not bad just really 'dated'. This is the 21st century let's see some more advanced furniture/speaker design/appearance. It ain't your HAL computer anymore!

    Open Baffle speakers..ho hum...now that's something NEW!!

    The back end supports remind me of some low budget Twilight Zone episodes?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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