Electronics enthusiasts seldom see past mere functionality, but aficionados of fine watches know better. The objects of their desire keep time no better than a $29 Timex, but watch devotees judge a product by a deeper standard.

Simply put, they judge a watch for what it is—its construction quality, its design, its movement complexity, its pedigree. Its gestalt. Its je ne sais quoi. I acquired my first good watch, an Omega Seamaster automatic, several years ago, and even though it has been upstaged since by more costly and complex competitors, I still wear it a couple of times a week, and still stop often to admire it—just for what it is.

We can forgive electronics buffs, though, because so few of the products they covet merit the aesthetic fascination that even a run-of-the-mill Swiss timepiece inspires. But there are a few notable exceptions. One of those is Dynaudio’s Confidence C2 loudspeaker.

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This system centers on the C2 tower speaker, which sounds gorgeous with stereo music, but needs help from a subwoofer when used for movie soundtracks. (Click image to enlarge)

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Nothing about the Confidence C2 resembles an ordinary speaker, except for the fact that it has woofers, tweeters, a detachable grille and a place to connect speaker wires. In place of a massive, hulking front baffle plate to support the various speaker drivers sits a sculpted form, bisected with a matte-finish aluminum trim plate. Dynaudio’s engineers designed these pieces as much for acoustic functionality as for aesthetic beauty; their various curves and bevels minimize sound reflections that would mar the speaker’s performance.

The baffle, which holds the woofers and tweeters, floats before an exceptionally slim speaker cabinet. The cabinet, in turn, seems to hover above its base. Glass panels affixed to the cabinet’s sides add a stylish touch while stiffening the speaker enclosure.

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