I throughly enjoyed reading, last night, a Great piece by Laurence Borden in the March 2005 Issue of Stereophile - "Truth vs Beauty"
He was comparing a belt drive CD transport vs a conventional CD transport. He also spoke about a comparision between Wilson & Sonus Faber speakers.
Similar analogies could be drawn in Solid State vs Tubes... etc.
I recall more than 30 years ago, I heard the B&W 801 AND the KEF 105 ( both in their 1st avtaars ). At that time these were Both Statement speakers, amongst the best that the market had to offer.
(I heard these on an Oracle TT with a Koetsu Red cartridge )
To me, the KEFs were accurate... and little else.... I think "clinical' would be a good description.
The B&Ws were warm ( and therefore less acurate ( ? ) but Far more involving and musical. I preferred the B&Ws....
A SUPERB comment in the Stereophile article is :
" the difference between Beauty & accuracy is not so clear cut. In all true beauty there is accuracy and in all true accuracy, there is beauty "
I also recall reading a signature line on some forum
" It aint nothing, if it aint got swing ! "