How important is aesthetics to you in purchasing

Good Question! Wow. IT makes you wonder about how we think and what pleases us with this stuff.
I do like equipment to look great, but sound is foremost I think. Still, if It doesn't look good, it's hard to get TOTALLY happy with something you have to look at all the time! Now if it's hidden, I can be MORE HAPPY with the gear if it sounds nice.
Hummmmmm...never thought too much about that. But I think you're right. It does make a difference to how I feel about the gear!
Maybe we're just vain. Naw!...there's an old saying,"if it don't go fast,CROME it!!! I guess that makes sense.

1st: Sound quality
2nd: Construction quality
3rd: Service availability & company reputation
4th: Appearance* I like the "industrial" but high quality look of most Levinson components.

*Like Lpgal, I don't think I could tolerate ugly speakers though. Cheers. Craig

I hate to admit it but looks came before sound 'cause of the WAF. I was going to get Nautilus 802's but she said that she was likely to start having conversations with them. I ended up with 803s which she's more than happy with (so am I now that I've got over the 802 decision). She likes in-walls for surrounds but I have to admit they're practical, if not tops in sound quality. The electronics were less important to her - the racks were her focus. She doesn't like all the little blue lights that stay on. I think it bugs her but she's living with it. And she absolutely would not stand to see any 'wires'. So, in my environment, looks were top priority, but they haven't compromised the sound too much.

All these compromises paid dividends in the long run - she redesigned the living area and I scored a nice new leather recliner that's positioned in the prime listening position.

otowick,
The looks of a piece of gear is not important to me at all. Unfortunately it is very important to my wife since my system resides in my living room which is adjacent to the front door. Speakers have to be "OK'd" by her to see if it will fit into the decor. Fortunately she is pretty liberal with her acceptance of different speaker designs. Such is married bliss.