Avid Contributor I

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Sub Color - White or Black Show Less Wear

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I prefer the appearance of the Sub in black, but I noticed some older threads about the first generation sub’s black gloss finish getting easily scratched.

Any thoughts as to whether the black or white finish will show materially less wear over time (3+ years)?

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AjTrek1Answer

Hi @Ready AF

I have both black and white subs. As has been stated mine are not in traffic areas as they are in corners. So no one is tripping over them or accidentally kicking them with their shoe.

If being kicked by a shoe the white will show scuff marks usually as black streaks. On the other hand a black sub may not show the scuff (as a color) but you may notice a dull mark which identifies the scuff.

Applying pressure when dusting will actually push dust particles into the surface of the sub (white or black) causing fine scratches. Those scratches may only be visible under certain lighting or at various angles. On a black sub the scratches overtime can become so many that the sub appears dull and gray rather than black. On a white sub the finish loses its gloss.

Deep scratches appear plainly visible regardless of color.

I generally use a swiffer on my subs for lite dusting. Air freshener may leave a fine mist on the sub that dries as a haze. If that happens I use a very damp cloth to moisten the surface and gently wipe dry with a cotton cloth going in one direction. Never clean or wipe in a circular pattern. No polishing compounds...ever.

I have a sub that is behind an entertainment center so it’s not easy to dust. I purchased a cloth and placed over it to keep dust off and out of it. It can’t be seen so who cares about cloth. There are some who might invest in a cover similiar to that shown in the link:

https://www.coloryoursound.com/speakers/sub-speakers.html

Bottom-line

Position the sub out of traffic areas
Follow my cleaning suggestions
Get rid of cats that like to lay on top of things

PS

They are lacquer and will scratch easily. It’s just the nature of a lacquer finish

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

Show previous replies

AjTrek1Answer

Hi @Ready AF

I have both black and white subs. As has been stated mine are not in traffic areas as they are in corners. So no one is tripping over them or accidentally kicking them with their shoe.

If being kicked by a shoe the white will show scuff marks usually as black streaks. On the other hand a black sub may not show the scuff (as a color) but you may notice a dull mark which identifies the scuff.

Applying pressure when dusting will actually push dust particles into the surface of the sub (white or black) causing fine scratches. Those scratches may only be visible under certain lighting or at various angles. On a black sub the scratches overtime can become so many that the sub appears dull and gray rather than black. On a white sub the finish loses its gloss.

Deep scratches appear plainly visible regardless of color.

I generally use a swiffer on my subs for lite dusting. Air freshener may leave a fine mist on the sub that dries as a haze. If that happens I use a very damp cloth to moisten the surface and gently wipe dry with a cotton cloth going in one direction. Never clean or wipe in a circular pattern. No polishing compounds...ever.

I have a sub that is behind an entertainment center so it’s not easy to dust. I purchased a cloth and placed over it to keep dust off and out of it. It can’t be seen so who cares about cloth. There are some who might invest in a cover similiar to that shown in the link:

https://www.coloryoursound.com/speakers/sub-speakers.html

Bottom-line

Position the sub out of traffic areas
Follow my cleaning suggestions
Get rid of cats that like to lay on top of things

PS

They are lacquer and will scratch easily. It’s just the nature of a lacquer finish

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

T

Tejs Dyrvig Ernst

I have a black unit from 2012 or 2013. It’s the mate version and it still looks fine. I’ve moved four times and moved it from place to place without any issues. As someone mentioned, it has always been hidden away somewhere out of traffic, e.g. underneath or behind the couch or in a corner.

AjTrek1

@Tejs Dyrvig Ernst

The matte versions were designed for that exact purpose...not to show scratches. Unfortunately, they have not been available for a few years. So that won’t help the OP as their concern is with the lacquer finish. :relaxed:

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

T

Tejs Dyrvig Ernst

@AjTrek1

Mate is always the cool option. They should have kept it in production. Maybe that’s the big reveal coming on 6th and the reason for the sale on subs: the reintroduction of the mate version!

buzz

Grand Maestro

There were production quality control issues with matte that drove up the costs. In the marketplace I think that it would have been difficult to raise prices on both or charge more for matte.

R

Ready AFAuthor

Avid Contributor I

Thanks everyone - much appreciated

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

I’m sure I triggered the auto-moderation function, no clue why though. You can see the post now, just above the moderation one.

I got a bar across the page just above the post I was trying to make saying moderated… and the post was still open to edit, it didn’t refresh the page as a new post usually does.

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