Integrating speakers into contemporary decor - can WAF ever be overcome?


This is a topic I'd like to see discussed more.  Not a speaker issue per se, but it's speakers that usually cause the problems. My partner is a hard core interior design/aesthetics type. We will shortly be combining households with all the benefits and challenges that this presents. We're both fans of a "Music In Every Room" (MIER) lifestyle, so that's a good start. But we quickly diverge. And to be clear, we're not talking about giant screens on the wall or home theater. This is audio only.

Anyway, her idea of MIER is built-in speakers or, at most, tiny Sonos units on a bookshelf or behind furniture. I had some of that in my house albeit BlueOS stuff. That's OK to a point. But my LR had KEF LS50's on stands. Obviously difference in sound is dramatic, and she admitted it. But she doesn't care. For her the improvement in sound quality is negated by aesthetic horror of visible speakers.

It's worth mentioning that the decor/design aesthetic in question is basically high end transitional with mix of contemporary stuff, Asian antiques, some colonial antiques, large format abstract oils, etc. It's >not< traditional or frou-frou, really a look where the right speakers could easily be interpreted as industrial design pieces that mesh well with the rest. The LS50s fit that description I think.

So, getting to the question here... Has anybody had any luck convincing spouse that speakers can be a part of the decor?  To think of them as some kind of sculptural elements, not "just ugly speakers?"  That they're industrial design elements that somehow add to space? Have links to pix of living spaces that integrated speakers into the look? Any help or ideas would be great. Thanks for reading, a kind of odd topic, I know. Cheers,

128x128kletter1mann

Showing 2 responses by asvjerry

@jjss49 ...not a viable option for most of us, but....

I'd bet she can feel what they're like...

"...for something that sounds so nice....why are they just a box?"  ;)

 

I'm working on my own solution...

@russbutton....Only if she's 'into' current modern sensibilities of design and the architecture that it fits into...

Otherwise, you're just as lost in the morass as most... and most juries' won't care a fleas' tush about why you popped a cap into her, wherever it landed...

(...even if you had access to a Trump-level of legal beagle...likely worse if you did...;)...)

Mine of 45+ likes the small Maggies' we have, doesn't care much for the 'typical' boxes about, and is 'trying to remain open-minded' over my DIY Walsh's (although they're currently in a 'raw' state....).

It's a dance with the mantis at mating season.....and we males don't do well overall....😏

Good variable factors, tho'

J