"It's ether those speakers or me!"
I don't even miss her.
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,
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@bondmanp Ultimate solution is mancave, and that will be project numero uno. Ultimately that will double as HT room and serious listening room. There's plenty of space but basement will require finishing - actually advantageous cause I can fiddle with size to try to optimize acoustics. But that's another matter. Immediate issue is unncessarily living with Sonos when I have much better just sitting in boxes. As for unserious new partner comments, whipped etc, understand thjis: Partner wanted simple small 2 BR condo. Instead we're getting 3300 sq ft 4 BR with workshop, fancy kitchen, unfinished basement for mancave/HT, etc etc, all for me. But the bargain was that she gets to decorate. So I'm figuring out how to kind of back-pedal on the deal. |
I think you should try diplomatically to point out that when you decided to move in together quality audio was important to you. At least you have the advantage of her feeling 1) music is important and 2) that she can hear the difference. I would try insisting on having some speakers of quality in your prime listening area, but let her know that you are willing to have her pick the look. If she anbsolutely says no, then you have a problem, but since this is important to you, you should at least act as if you are putting your foot down and see what happens. And then once she lets you know what she can live with, pick the best versions that you can afford, even though they may not be what you would have chosen on your own. |
- 102 posts total