[JonnyFive]

Hey everyone, it will be a little bit yet before my Soundscape 8s go into production so I'm mulling finish options.  My application is predominantly HT with some 2 channel listening, my speakers will extend out in front of the TV so glare could be an issue.  How important is it to get a dark finish if your speakers are going to be catching glare from the TV?

My current top contenders are a smokey silver satin finish over curly maple or the satin black sides + rosewood or mexican cocobolo front panel.  Anyone have a decisive favorite between those 2 options or anything else I should consider?  Which one will have more of a "wow" impact for visitors?  I want the speakers to be the center of attention, not blend into the rest of the home theater.

Thanks! -Jon 

[Gzerro]

My speakers are about 2-3 feet in front of my TV and I never notice glare. I have a standard satin finish on medium brown mahogany. I wouldn't worry about it much unless you are particularly sensitive to it or you want a gloss finish.

Both of those finish choices sound pretty sweet, you can't really go wrong with Jim's work.

[PETE6737]

Jon,

I have satin black on my SS8s, and they look great. There IS reflection on the top 1/3rd, of the inside of the speakers from the screen, but it doesn't bother me, since the screen is so high. If you have speakers on either side of a TV that's inline with the speakers, I suspect that you will get reflection along the sides as well.

[JonnyFive]

\ If you have speakers on either side of a TV that's inline with the speakers, I suspect that you will get reflection along the sides as well.

Yep, that will pretty much be the case.   It's probably something I'll just learn to live with.  Just trying to figure out if a satin + dark wood finish would be any worse/better than satin black?  OR maybe it's a minor point and I should just get whatever finish I really want...as soon as I figure out what that is.

[coke]

I use a projector and went with a satin finish to minimize glare. I've had no real issues with it. There is some reflection, but not much. 

[Saturn94]

I've already shared my experience with Jon, but for those reading this thread wondering the same thing I'd thought I'd respond anyway.

My former HT2-TLs were finished in satin natural cherry.  While there was some reflection, it was't enough to be distracting.  I think as long as you avoid a high gloss finish, it should work out OK.

I also had the thought that if glare was an issue, you could use something like a decorative table runner to drape over the sides to stop reflections when watching movies.

[OgOgilby]

OR maybe it's a minor point and I should just get whatever finish I really want...as soon as I figure out what that is.

This 

[audiotom]

You can go black sides and wood fronts. Works great in my setup

[Austin08]

  OR maybe it's a minor point and I should just get whatever finish I really want...as soon as I figure out what that is

You will not notice much because the sound comes out from this speakers would knock you out. (unless the playing materials are so bad that you either don't want to watch or to listen to)   

On top of that, if you want these speaker to be the center "talk about" thing in the room then you would better get the best finish that you can come up with for them. 

[JonnyFive]

On top of that, if you want these speaker to be the center "talk about" thing in the room then you would better get the best finish that you can come up with for them. 

You guys are no help at all!  J/k   Ok I'll get the finish I want and worry about the rest later.  As Saturn94 said, I could hit up gramma for some doilies to cover them up during movie watching. hahaha

[Saturn94]

....As Saturn94 said, I could hit up gramma for some doilies to cover them up during movie watching. hahaha

 

Of course there are more modern options than doilies!

[harley52]

Color nor wood type have any effect on the reflection, Reflection/glare is caused by the finishing top coats. Satin will give you less reflection and egg shell finish give almost no reflection.