Speaker and Amplifier Supermodels- nominate your choice for "most beautiful" [Archive]

VanDerGraaf

21-08-2018, 18:20

Hi Everyone,

This is simple and a bit of fun too. It also has a more serious purpose. Art and objective performance measurements can go together; we all, I am sure, prefer this than one or the other alone.

There are no limits here- it is all in the eye of the beholder after all. So obvious things like Sonus Fabers can sit quite comfortably next to less obvious thoughts. Someone's IMF TLS80 may be their Gigi Hadid or Chris Hemsworth (despite others feeling it's more of a Les Dawson...)

I think appreciation, lust, and disgust should all be encouraged! We're all big and ugly enough to agree or disagree- all human life is here!:stalks::D

:popcorn:

Beobloke

22-08-2018, 11:56

Best looking speakers have to be B&O Beolab 8000s - a true design classic IMHO.

Amplifiers are a bit trickier but the old Lecson AC1/AP1 must be in the running.

walpurgis

22-08-2018, 12:02

Best looking speakers have to be B&O Beolab 8000s - a true design classic IMHO.

Amplifiers are a bit trickier but the old Lecson AC1/AP1 must be in the running.

Hmm. Distinctive is the word that springs to mind for me.

I think some of the older Luxman amplifiers are beautiful.

Lurch

22-08-2018, 12:47

Amps: Anything by MasterSound, infact any Italian amp, coz them buggers seem to know a thing or two about aesthetics.
Speakers: Usher in their walnut veneer finish, love the look and feel of my Mini Dancer2 Diamond DMDs.

Sixty2

22-08-2018, 14:18

My favourite amp for both sound and beauty: Shindo Cortese F2a. Must have been ‘off my head’ when I sold it! Speakers, got to be Audio Note.

Pigmy Pony

22-08-2018, 17:27

My favourite amp for both sound and beauty: Shindo Cortese F2a. Must have been ‘off my head’ when I sold it! Speakers, got to be Audio Note.

We saw some Audio Note speakers at Cranage a few weeks ago - Mrs. Pony thought they looked like SpongeBob SquarePants. For me it has to be Yamaha's NS1000M, seriously cool, handsome and purposeful. I also like the look of the Mastersound amps.

Sixty2

22-08-2018, 18:08

Yeh, SpongeBob SquarePants do come in ‘Beautiful’.

Barry

22-08-2018, 18:23

:worthless:

Pigmy Pony

22-08-2018, 19:40

I sensed there was something missing. C'mon guys, I have a valid reason for not posting pics (I'm thick). What's your excuse? :D

VanDerGraaf

23-08-2018, 08:29

Best looking speakers have to be B&O Beolab 8000s - a true design classic IMHO.

24019

They are quite elegant and have a "speaker as pure design" look to them.
For me, I like a speaker to resemble a speaker somewhat more, in the traditional sense. I do admire designs like this and the Devialet Phantom, for example. Such designs are often innovative, in terms of the required technology to achieve the striking looks.

Ganders

23-08-2018, 10:11

Vivid speakers look seriously cool, always wanted a pair.Nagra amps too, very nice.

jandl100

23-08-2018, 10:32

My goodness, what astonishingly bad taste you all have. :lol:

Many (most) of those mentioned would be near the top of my list for ugliest speakers!

Large Ushers do have a certain swept-back majesty about them ...

http://v1.stereotimes.com/images/Usher%20AC10c_200x300.jpg

I prefer a form follows function approach to speakers, not usually beautiful, though.

jandl100

23-08-2018, 10:55

There's a definite distinctiveness about these Jadis-badged speakers that may be beautiful to some.

https://www.stereophile.com/images/styles/600_wide/public/666Jadis_Eurythmia.promo_.jpg

And I have to confess a liking for this tongue in cheek amp design.

Both of these designs have the fun-factor that I enjoy in hifi.

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/highend2018/pics02/dagostino_front.jpg

struth

23-08-2018, 11:08

whats wrong with the big rectangular wooden box method;)

walpurgis

23-08-2018, 11:27

Beobloke

23-08-2018, 11:45

I'd like to update my amplifier nomination if I may. I rrealise this is going to be a bit 'Marmite' but I love the look of the Analog Domain monoblocks:

https://i.imgur.com/EtRkIxh.jpg

This is the baby of the range, the Artemis, with only 1000W on offer...

jandl100

23-08-2018, 11:48

I like the Pass Labs look (not that keen on the sound, though!)

https://www.stereophile.com/images/styles/600_wide/public/114passamp.promo_.jpg

User211

23-08-2018, 14:50

My speakers giving YOU the finger!:D
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180823/ae2fb6ad73fb0f62264aa656f028be58.jpg

struth

23-08-2018, 15:17

young whippersnapper...:wheniwasaboy:

:D

Barry

23-08-2018, 17:58

I find those both effin' hideous unfortunately. :D

So do I! But then I find virtually all horn-loaded speakers 'fugly'. :sofa:

User211

23-08-2018, 18:07

I find those both effin' hideous unfortunately. :DIt's like they want a Frenchie. Or they are trying to give you one.

Akin to a 95 year old lady whose got the horn, if you'll excuse the pun, who is coming after YOU.

jandl100

23-08-2018, 19:18

I find those both effin' hideous unfortunately. :D

Here you go chaps, all the speaker you'll ever need ....

https://www.futoncompany.co.uk/images/detailed/20/Oak-narrow-Wardrobe-V2-location.jpg

:D

peter312

23-08-2018, 21:34

Firebottle

24-08-2018, 06:18

The Universums have a certain cache :

http://hifipig.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/North_West_Audio_Show_2018201706240060.jpg

jandl100

24-08-2018, 06:18

I rather like these, if you don't mind being stared back at by your speakers. Grille cover on is the way to go for me, I think.

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.media-lemondenumerique.com%2Fupload%2Fimages%2F2010%2F10 %2FCabasse%2520l_Ocean.jpg&f=1

And these have an elegant simplicity that appeals to me

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia4.popsugar-assets.com%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F10%2F41%2F2%2F192%2F19 22507%2F556f4c73c330b380_104734093400343319.xxxlar ge%2Fi%2FRithm-Speakers-Davone.jpeg&f=1

jandl100

24-08-2018, 06:24

^^ Oh gosh, I was seriously tempted by the hOrns Universum, Alan - the only speaker ever to come close to tempting me away from my MBLs.
But only wonderful up to moderate listening levels. Mrs jandl said I should buy them and keep both. Maybe I should have. The price has gone up 150% now, though. :(

walpurgis

24-08-2018, 08:02

I don't know about beautiful to look at, but the Living Voice Vox Olympian speakers are certainly beautifully finished.

http://i68.tinypic.com/2vjwnzd.jpg

plastic penguin

24-08-2018, 08:47

Accuphase amplifiers. Love amps with dancing VU wattage meters.

http://www.accuphase.com/model/e-370.html

KEF Blades are aesthetically beautiful.

http://uk.kef.com/blade

Barry

24-08-2018, 17:02

I don't know about beautiful to look at, but the Living Voice Vox Olympian speakers are certainly beautifully finished.

http://i68.tinypic.com/2vjwnzd.jpg

The phrase "arboreal bling" comes to mind.

Barry

24-08-2018, 17:05

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia4.popsugar-assets.com%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F10%2F41%2F2%2F192%2F19 22507%2F556f4c73c330b380_104734093400343319.xxxlar ge%2Fi%2FRithm-Speakers-Davone.jpeg&f=1

Now those do have a certain elegance to them.

walpurgis

24-08-2018, 17:12

The phrase "arboreal bling" comes to mind.

I guess they think customers with half a million quid to spend will expect a bit of bling.

krugdoktor

24-08-2018, 17:55

Now these are sexy:

24022

http://www.leedh-acoustic.com/index-uk.php

User211

24-08-2018, 18:01

I don't know about beautiful to look at, but the Living Voice Vox Olympian speakers are certainly beautifully finished.

http://i68.tinypic.com/2vjwnzd.jpgThey are and I have seen them close up in the flesh. Amazing finish. They look pretty awkward, though, I think.

Mind you for that money...

Pigmy Pony

24-08-2018, 18:03

They are and I have seen them close up in the flesh. Amazing finish. They look pretty awkward, though, I think.

Mind you for that money...

A mini-bar shouting "last orders" at you comes to mind.

jandl100

24-08-2018, 18:22

I like the looks of this Esoteric AZ-1 amp

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.6moons.com%2Faudioreviews%2Fes oteric5%2Fhero_intro.jpg&f=1

Good sounding as well, I had one for a while.

jandl100

24-08-2018, 18:24

And this Burmester amp is a thing of beauty imo.

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fs-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F14%2Fe4%2Fa5%2F14e4a5 7df9b7fa8d24a8f5a7f3a0e676.jpg&f=1

Barry

24-08-2018, 18:26

Ugh! Polished chrome - guaranteed to show up finger marks.

jandl100

24-08-2018, 18:31

Wear gloves. ;)

But yes, I had a Burmester CDP with that finish fascia, and it was a devil for fingerprints! :eek:

alphaGT

25-08-2018, 01:10

I don't know about beautiful to look at, but the Living Voice Vox Olympian speakers are certainly beautifully finished.

http://i68.tinypic.com/2vjwnzd.jpg

I think these are rather, “Steam Punk”, if your den had a Steam Punk theme going, these might fit in?

Russell

paulf-2007

31-08-2018, 20:49

My speakers giving YOU the finger!:D
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180823/ae2fb6ad73fb0f62264aa656f028be58.jpgi thought this thread was about speakers not solar panels

Pigmy Pony

01-09-2018, 06:17

I bet they sound way better than the composite doors I fitted last month!

User211

01-09-2018, 07:40

i thought this thread was about speakers not solar panelsSolar panels? Nonsense. They are cosmic space/time portals.

paulf-2007

02-09-2018, 08:10

Solar panels? Nonsense. They are cosmic space/time portals.
Touché

MrRadish

02-09-2018, 08:45

meBob

05-09-2018, 17:20

How can any HIFI setup be complete without a decent subwoofer?

https://i.imgur.com/RaLG4Ex.jpg

My Japanese penpal sent this picture of her dad's.

Barry

05-09-2018, 18:57

How can any HIFI setup be complete without a decent subwoofer?

https://i.imgur.com/RaLG4Ex.jpg

My Japanese penpal sent this picture of her dad's.

The wonders of Photoshop!

struth

05-09-2018, 19:03

The wonders of Photoshop!

Not so sure it's faked

Barry

05-09-2018, 19:08

Not so sure it's faked

Actually you are right - it's not a fake. It used a Diatone 160 woofer (160cm in diameter) to produce an 8Hz signal (possibly intended for riot control). Would be interesting to see the amplifier that drove it.

walpurgis

05-09-2018, 19:15

It's actually one half of a pair of headphones. ;)

meBob

05-09-2018, 20:35

Actually you are right - it's not a fake. It used a Diatone 160 woofer (160cm in diameter) to produce an 8Hz signal (possibly intended for riot control). Would be interesting to see the amplifier that drove it.

That would be some sight to see that thing rolled out in a riot, it would probably stop the riot with its amazement factor alone, you can forget water cannons, the wind that thing could produce should be enough!

I've never really seen the Japanese as the complaining/rioting types.