What about putting speakers in cabinets with doors you would open for listening?
Just shoot me in the head and get it over with.
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,
Showing 8 responses by soix
I see no reason why these wouldn’t work perfectly… https://www.arcadianaudio.com/images/arc/pnoe-speaker-about.jpg I think of it as industrial design meets gynecology. |
I have to apologize for my prior post. I just couldn’t resist and I’m a sad person. In all seriousness now, and realizing that not only do I not know your taste but very likely have nowhere near either of your senses and/or gifts for style, I’ve always considered these Italian-designed Diapason speakers to be among the most strikingly beautiful I’ve ever seen and almost as much wood sculpture as they are speakers. And to me the beauty is magnified because they’re also form-follows-function designs so the beauty is not just skin deep. https://www.diapason-italia.com/en/astera.html https://www.diapason-italia.com/en/adamantesV.html For a more industrial look, if that’s what you’re more into, the Gallo Strada 2 might fit the bill. https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Gallo-Acoustics-Strada-2-Loudspeaker-Side My highest recommendation would be for you to claim a dedicated audio room of your own and pick what you like for both sound and aesthetics. Everything else will likely be a huge compromise in sound quality, and life is too short to be a slave to looks alone IMHO. Best of luck. |
I highly recommend you read this before doing any room planning/construction. It’s a very approachable and interesting read on how to construct an excellent-sounding room. Any half-competent contractor should fairly easily be able create the room of your dreams following Earl’s excellent concepts. Best of luck, and congrats on finally acquiring the oft-elusive man cave! |
@jwei Ha! Hey man, I totally get your suggestion an it’s very helpful given the crappy situation. I once did a home install for a guy who bought about $50k of Linn audio equipment in a 5.1 setup that could only accommodate a 42” TV because that was the biggest he could fit in his antique cabinet. I wanted to vomit it was so sad, and hence my reaction and ongoing hatred of cabinets or, worse, wall units. AAAAAARGH!!! |
+1 @jond If Wisdom Audio in-walls are in the budget that might be the best of all worlds until the man cave becomes reality. If not, maybe the Gallo Audio A’Diva SE “balls” might make the easiest/cheapest compromise for all involved, and lots of colors/finishes available to meet a designer’s tastes. Best of luck finding a happy place.
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@lbarbish Have a look at these that’ll likely sound much better than your current Linns (I used to sell Linn gear) and might work well with your new decor. Good luck with the move and the speakers! https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649985660-joseph-audio-perspective-2-graphene/ |
It ain’t easy being a eunuch in audiophile city. @kingharold i teared up reading your very poignant post, am so sorry for your tragic loss, but am so happy that you got to spend so many happy decades with such a rare and clearly wonderful life partner. You won big man, and Goodonya! BTW, you had me at 1968 Chevelle. |