Do you listen to your heart or your eye?

When it's off and sitting in the middle of the living room, then no. Then, it becaomes another piece of furniture. Depending upon domestic situation, that can either be no big deal or THE big deal :)

Also, I take "looks" to me other things: i.e. size (is it too small or too large for the room) and fit n' finish (does it look poorly made or assembled).

Tom H

I'd better listen with my heart. My speakers are so ugly they'd be unwelcome in most any other room. Thank goodness my wife also listens with her heart. After mentioning a couple of times that for her sake I'd try to find something that sounded decent and was more appealing, I was basically told that if I replaced them, she'd keep them. What a country!
Keeping the wife AND the speakers....
Ed

For live music, both.

I don't usually make a point to specifically disagree with another reader's personal opinion, but I will make an exception with Marakanetz' comment about the Vandersteen Model 5's. I think the Vandy Model 5's are an exceptionally attractive speaker, with clean, functional lines, and absolutely first-class cabinetry. They also produce outstanding sound quality, which make them a doubly fine buy. The Vandersteens do not benefit by playing with their grills removed, so I can't imagine why anyone would even consider doing so.

Happily, differing opinions is what keeps more than one speaker or audio electronics company in business, so Marakanetz is welcome to his point of view...

...still I believe that most wives will complain about looks especially if it takes so much space as Vandy 5 or Tannoy Westminsters or Churchhills.