Speakers, Lifestyle, & Design

[speaker]

Just curious as to how many factor aesthetic considerations into their loudspeaker projects?

Does WAF or your own desire to have something stylish factor into it at all?

If yes, please post a link to your project(s) if you have one and any comments as to what you folded into the design in this regard.

( Only looking for builder's comments and not a design critique of their work.)

[Jonathan Bright]

An interesting post. I read widely and know what is theoretically "best" for my satelite speakers but I an just not prepared to have them looking like that in my living area. The specific issue in question is straight verses curved sides. I undestand that smooth continuous curves such as a large egg shaped enclosure has real acoustic merit (when appropriately designed) but I know their presence will remind me of one of the "Aliens" movies or some other deep seated paranoid fear. So I am compromising by having straight sides that have various steps and multi-angled bevelled edges but no curves...........I know its irrational but this is one area of my life where I'll let aethetics thriumph over physical theory.
On reflection, I am sure it is the curves I have problems with. On thinking about it I don't like the current crop of "organic"car shapes either. I much prefer the more angluar designs of 20-30 years ago. (I might stress that these comments are restricted to inanimate objects. Curves in other situations are much more attractive than anorexic angles.)

[speaker]

Originally posted by Jonathan Bright
An interesting post. I read widely and know what is theoretically "best" for my satelite speakers but I an just not prepared to have them looking like that in my living area. The specific issue in question is straight verses curved sides. I undestand that smooth continuous curves such as a large egg shaped enclosure has real acoustic merit (when appropriately designed) but I know their presence will remind me of one of the "Aliens" movies or some other deep seated paranoid fear. So I am compromising by having straight sides that have various steps and multi-angled bevelled edges but no curves...........I know its irrational but this is one area of my life where I'll let aethetics thriumph over physical theory.
On reflection, I am sure it is the curves I have problems with. On thinking about it I don't like the current crop of "organic"car shapes either. I much prefer the more angluar designs of 20-30 years ago. (I might stress that these comments are restricted to inanimate objects. Curves in other situations are much more attractive than anorexic angles.)

Jonathan Bright, than you for your contribution. You touch on some key points above that are at the heart of my post. Do you follow function or say damnitall and build what looks the best to you? Or do you follow function and make the form as pleasing as possible within the rules?

[Snickers-is]

Is this an answer to your question?

[polkymon]

Originally posted by speaker
Just curious as to how many factor aesthetic considerations into their loudspeaker projects?

Does WAF or your own desire to have something stylish factor into it at all?

If yes, please post a link to your project(s) if you have one and any comments as to what you folded into the design in this regard.

( Only looking for builder's comments and not a design critique of their work.)

I place a large emphasis on aesthetics. Most of my projects are replicas of designs that have caught my eye. The only pre-fab boxes I have bought were Insignias, which I totally redesigned.

For me speaker building is like custom car building. Yes you want great performance but a 10 second Maverick just wouldn't do it for me. I'd rather have a 11 second Shelby replica.

Also the waf thing is important. I have had several sets of speakers in the living room all at once and she gave me very little grief about them Even showing them off to her friends.

Building a nice design also makes the project less of a drudge.

It's very pleasing to have what looks like the real thing in your home.

http://gallery.audioreview.com/showg...&ppuser=246853

[Richard Ellis]

Building an enclosure with "artistic value" is really walking a tightrope.....recall the saying 'art is in the eye of the beholder'.
The upshot is your artistic creation may look like Venus de Milo to you , but may look far different to someone else!
Take a look at some Classis/Old speaker designs from our more promenent makers.
JBLs' poorly thought out trapazoidal tower with the sharp angles was REALLY bad.
Infinitys' series of large curved tower units of twenty or so years back, has my vote as a great lasting design
Just my two cents as everyone has an opnion as to what is "good" art.
_____________________________________Rick......... ....

[polkymon]

There are some beautiful designs out there as well as some over the top ones and flat out ugly ones but they all have their fans. Styling is subjective just as some people prefer bright sounding speakers.

If all that was offered were black boxes this would be one boring hobby imo. Developing new technologies and styles is what keeps this and other pursuits interesting and growing. Not discounting their performance I give credit to Kharma and Sonus Faber and others for breaking new ground in style. Everyone may not like their style but boutique makers don't need to cater to the masses to be successful.

As a diy'er, I don't have a desire to make a speaker that everyone finds "nice". I would rather hear the "ooohs and ahhhs" from all or even a 1/4 the people who see them. Using cars as an example again, I wouldn't be driving the car I have now if its competitor looked as good as a BMW 535.

[peace brainerd]

It would be interesting to know how many times salaried engineers offered up their newest woofer/tweeter designs just to get them kicked back by the marketing guys with such penned in the margins as..
"can we invert the half roll? That would be a cool look"
"woven fiberglass in dark grey or yellow is really hot right now. Any chance with this one?"
"Gerry thinks the phase-plug thingy is a little obnoxious. Can't you make it more streamlined" "..or just get rid of it?"
"Perfect! Add some shine to the cone and we're good to go."
"Aluminum was a hot item six months ago. We're pretty confident over here that Paraguayan Kudzu fiber is something we could capitalize on this fall. Get back to us as soon as you can get something modeled up!"

[Dryseals]

I'm a plain jane type of builder. To me a speaker should fit as in a piece of furniture, I don't really want to see it, I want to hear it. But since placement will allow a visual image, I prefer to have it look as a noble piece rather than something artsy. With all the beautiful wood and veneers out there, I could spend centuries building cabinets alone. But, that's me, and thats why you'll always see me dressed to kill in the old T-shirt and shorts with worn out tennis shoes.

[dlneubec]

Yes, I certainly take aesthetics and SAF into account, but my recent project was somewhat a departure from that. Below is my NaO Mini project, which were a real aesthetic adventure and I think looks very nice.

The next one is my most recent omnidirectional project, which is not nearly as pleasing to the eye, nor as high in the SAF, though it is still in it's mdf form.