Love the design enhancements and great to see this evolve. One small design facet that is not yet perfect in my eye is the rounding of the front top edge, which has quite a large ‘roll’ radius that makes it look less elegant. Maybe a bit sharper edge would look better. But now I am totally nitpicking details 
I also think the plinth can go.
I think this definitely looks more elegant and svelte. Opinions?
The feet would be screwed in through heavy threads so one could replace with spikes if desired.
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Yes I like much better.
Yes definitely, I just would keep the feet black…then it might also look good if there’s a kind of slightly overhanging construction for the feet as often seen nowadays with slim speakers.
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Paul
If you do decide to eliminate any type of plinth then I would suggest you secure a source for appropriate looking outriggers and make them available as an option for customers that are more concerned about speaker security than WAF or design considerations. People do still have small children and larger dogs in their homes to worry about. If WAF and interior design were the most important thing in speaker design then Richard Vandersteen, David Wilson and many others would have been out of business a long time ago. How these speakers sound is the most important thing.
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Outriggers with interchangeable spikes or feet would work well in this tippy looking speaker. -One in front and two out back. These could adjust the rake of the drivers for a more focused soundstage as well. “just thinkin.”
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Whatever is more functional/promotes the best performance is the correct solution, IMO.
Personally (and I must be a vocal minority), I prefer the look of the mock up with the “plinth”.
“To each his own.”
Cheers.
Better than the clunky wood base. But now you have introduced som mechanical, dynamical issues.
I am pretty sure sure with the feet quite narrow to each other and heavy solid wood panels hanging over on either side the balance of forces will work against the speakers standing stable. With other words, it will not take much of an accidental move to tip them over. I recommend a thick aluminum plate / bars with adjustable feet / spikes outside of the speaker perimeter that way it will rake much more to be able to tip them over.
You could also run an FEA or Fluid Dynamics simulation about the 12” subwoofer moving forth and back, setting the feet wider will surely provide a more solid base.
Love to see the development moving on.
I like both the plinth or no plinth option. I’ve seen a plinth actually be more useful if you place the crossover network inside the plinth. If no plinth, then easily adjustable feet to balance and level the speaker would be nice. I hate having to have another person available to tilt the speaker to adjust the feet and then check for balance/level and repeat.
I actually like the look of the plinth a lot. I just assumed it prevented aftermarket feet. After installing Gaia’s on my speakers, I would like the option in my future speaker purchases.
Even with the plinth it should have threaded inserts installed in case an owner wants to use spikes on thick carpet or something like Gaia’s on hard floors. 1/4" spikes are not that hard to source in various sizes and lengths.
In lieu of a fabric cover, keep the front cover as you have it, but make it removable?
Perhaps have isoacoustic feet as an option? I have a set of Gaia Titan on my 280lb monsters, at your suggestion. (You put me in contact with Dave, before they were available). Thanks for that.
Just to give it a smooth appearance and keep kids from poking it with there fingers. I’m not sure I like the slats that aren’t continued everywhere for looks. But I’m ready for what every sounds best. I’m a fan of sonus faber or Martin logan speakers for looks.
Excellent and, I think, ultimately more flexible.
What is it for a lattice work that is in front of the loudspeaker shepherds.
Looks are deceiving. Because of their weight the effort it would take to tip them over would be a lot more than a child or an accidental push from an adult could possibly exert.
That said, we agree they look tippy and that’s enough to work on some sort of outriggers as mentioned.
To be continued and thanks for all the advice and help!
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Paul, your comments are exactly what I was thinking. The plinth made the speakers look much more solid and stable - in my book, those are words that are positive adjectives when describing a very serious speaker, as the AN3 is hoping to be. Subtle visual information, no doubt, has an effect on what we hear. I preferred the plinth, probably unconsciously, for those reasons.
I know many audiophiles like the options of tinkering around with their hifi gear and adding third market bits and pieces - part of the fun, I suppose. Personally, I trust the original designers much more than myself. I’d rather the speakers come to me, just as they are supposed to be and be done with it.
It looks as though the listener ear will be at the level of the tweeter, which I have read is optimal. Is this true?