Do you buy equipment based on looks? (poll too)*

Do you purchase audio equipment based partially on appearance ?

 

No. sound quality and functionality only.

 

It's nice to have vintage sibling separates. Like my Yamaha M80 and C80.

So unless the poll is new gear only, I can't answer it. "Sometimes " is my response.

 

Yup, needs a "sometimes" option.
If 2 pieces are very similar performance and options wise, I'll go with whatever looks best/matches the rest of my equipment.

 

Yes, nearly only looks.

 

As the question doesn't state "always," I can vote yes.
I have purchased equipment when appearance has been an influence. I have also purchased equipment in spite of its appearance. Whether I keep it or not is based solely on function/sound.

 

If it got down to choosing between two pieces of gear I guess I would initially gravitate towards the better "looking" one.

But after auditioning............I would BUY the better "sounding" one...........EVERY time.

 

I build systems of matching components for fun (Scott, Fisher, Grommes, McIntosh, Marantz, etc).
I have others that have been matched for performance. I also don't vote on polls that don't have choices
that match my situation or those that make me vote first to view the results.

 

I'd like to think I'm a purist, but I'm sure looks influence my purchase plenty. When you think about it, vision and hearing are both senses, so I try to make both happy.

I'll try to find the link... Harman did a study on this and found out that people always choose their "favorite sounding" speakers differently when they can see them, than they do when the test is blind.

 

I suspect that appearance does matter to everyone. And it's probably the 2nd most important factor for most buyers (1st being cost). But "we" aren't like most buyers. For us, performance is probably #1 and cost #2 - with looks in 3rd place (i.e. they still matter!).

 

Yup. If it looks ugly, I'm not spending hard earned money on it. Gotta find that balance between performance, functions and looks. Just like when buying a car.

 

the key word is "partially"

 

I've always got to get the best I can afford and try to assemble something that sounds much better than it's price, so no. Looks are not really a factor. The exception is over designed gear, which I might reject even if it sounded good because some looks are just too ornate. I guess I prefer a more industrial look without trend or embellishment.

 

No but yes

 

Mrs.Qwerty would love for me to say "yes", but the reality is "no". Budget is a factor in my purchases, so upgrades are far between and often I get vintage equipment so that I get maximum sound quality per dollar. When I have bought new (eg. CD player to get the latest technology/best sound) I have so much mis-matched gear it doesn't really matter. But I would not get anything I consider to be ugly, and there is much good-quality gear that would be visually too different for my tastes. Don't get me wrong though, I do like some very characteristic vintage gear.

 

Would like to factor in appearance, matching brands/finishes, etc, but budget first, sound second, looks in the last place. I do love the look of 70s vintage gear (silver/wood)

Bottom line : best sound I can afford regardless appearance is what works for me.

 

I have seen dogs that looked like their owners, but with hifi gear not so much.

 

Yeah. I like my gear to look cool. It's not hard to find visually impactful kit that sounds great.

 

It shouldn't make a difference in theory, bit it does.
Looks not a huge factor overall but all things being equal if I like two pieces of gear to the same degree I'm inclined to buy the prettier one.

 

I admire beautiful equipment, but it seems like the ugly black boxes I have try harder to please. It's almost like pets, the pure breeds seem to always have some health problem while the "mutts" live long happy lives.

 

Tricky. No, its all hidden... just hope the speakers have a finish that will look good in the room. And I've never paid for a "premium" finish.

 

I voted yes. I refuse to buy equipment that doesn't look good. I miss the good old days when stereo stuff had knobs and VU meters and looked like they were built to last for a thousand years. These days, stereo stuff look often either bland/nondescript or just gaudy. So for looks, I definitely prefer vintage gear, but it's too much hassle for me - I want the stuff to work, too, and I can't repair things myself. I have bought all my gear based on looks and reviews. I hadn't heard anything before ordering...

 

WAF ?

 

No wife. Sure didn't buy the Lounge LCR for its looks, nor the Quad909 with its blue text and central bright green LED!