Not sure if i get your analogy. It's like having a great body and wearing sweatpants, versus having a flabby unhealthy body and wearing an Armani Suit. In other words, the quality of the driver will probably determine the sound better than a fancy cabinet. However,this is just my opinion. Others can have differing opinions, and I respect someone else's opinion as well...and for many people the look of the product may make it sound better...in fact many stereophile reviews of late seem to spend quite a lot of space commenting on the appearance of the product.
Anyways, that was just my opinion, and let's leave it at that.
-akhilesh