I agree with everything you posted.

I expected the Seduction clone, like it used to look. I thought the original red and white looked good too. The new color sucks.

As for the Lanier & Goldberg thing goes, aren't they one company now anyway?

I may still end up with a Razor, but the price looks to change. Lanier says $199, and Tower has it at $273. I was in hopes of a Tower price of $149 to $179. Usually they are a tad lower than manufacturer direct. The Matrix is no longer on the wish list.