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

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.

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!

http://www.gedlee.com/downloads/HT/Home_theater.pdf

OK we have the same problem, integrating modern speakers into a circa 1915 room decor. Let me first say that this is a compromise solution where perfect speaker placement is sacrificed to the room aesthetic. With that said the solution works very well. B&W 805s literally on a bookshelf, however the bookshelf flares outward into the room on either side of the fireplace keeping them about six inches out from the backing wall. Two REL T5x’s in the corners. (Bought the T9x’s and never had the chance to even hook them up as the wife freaked over the size.). More vertical soundstage than depth, but towed in excellent sound reproduction. Would post a pic but can’t figure out how it’s done. (I can’t drag and drop it in its not happening.That is the limit of my computer prowess.) Good luck.

I guess I have a good wife, she can hear and appreciate the differences in my system as it has changed over the years. Never ever once has she cared what it looked like or integrated into our homes decor…