Product Cosmetic Finishes

HUMAN Speakers systems come in a variety of finishes, depending on the model and your taste.

These fall into four broad categories, as follows:

1. Wood Veneers

These are beautiful, oiled, rubbed and sealed cabinets. Built with individual attention to detail to my demanding standards, they provide the ultimate in cabinet appearance. Real wood veneers vary slightly from piece to piece, so the speakers are pair-matched for grain and tone as they are built.

They should be cared for like any other fine wood product, which typically means a gentle rubbing with your choice of furniture oil every year or so. Since my preference is for oak, you are going to see more of that wood on display in the product photos, but almost any environmentally responsible wood is available.

2. Vinyl Laminates

Modern vinyl finishes are a cost effective way to make a speaker look good. They are also easy to care for. The ones that resemble wood do it very well, and the "black ash grained look" blends in very well with any modern decor.

Care is very simple, consisting of occasional dusting or cleaning with a cloth that has been slightly moistened with mild soap and water.

3. Painted

Not to be confused with piano finish gloss lacquers, these are your basic industrial semi-flat black paint, carefully applied, directly over properly filled and sanded MDF. While they won't win any "best of show" awards, they are not going to call attention to themselves, either. Appropriate for center channel speakers, which often cannot be seen anyway, and a great way to save money on the larger models.

These can also be dusted or gently cleaned with ease.

4. Carpeted

The HUMAN car speaker plates are covered with a durable carpet type material. It hides wear and tear well, and blends nicely with most automotive interiors. The car speakers also incorporate grilles built using heavy duty "waffle" type steel mesh, covered with matching acoustic cloth. HUMAN speakers home models can also be finished this way, if you like.

Occasional light brushing or vacuuming of the carpeted surface will remove any soil that accumulates.

Note: with any of these finishes and cleaning methods, be sure to avoid the speaker elements. They should not be exposed to soap and water, wax, oil or dusting compounds. Lightly removing dust from them with packaged compressed air (sold for cleaning cameras, computer keyboards, and other delicate products) is all that should be necessary.