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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
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bouncehit
73 posts
 

It’s called the Tune Audio Marvel 😃

See my ad elsewhere 👍

ghasley
2,434 posts
 

You havent mentioned budget nor associated equipment. Large, medium or small space?

 

My wife LOVES the Devore O96 look but we also have a mix of mid-century and mountain contemporary (Aspen, CO). I have multiple systems and she thinks I should just have them in every room…LOL…and no I haven’t told her that wouldn’t make alot of financial sense.

 

Depending on your system, room and desires perhaps if you took a look Audio Note E’s or J’s…they can be made in any of about a bazillion veneers and they are made to be placed in corners. Devore will build the O96’s with almost anything if you have the time, exotic veneers or even paint with multiple coats of laquer.

headphonedreams
522 posts
 

Have you tried to take her to some audio stores and see which type or design she likes the most?

Or dislikes the least?

My wife have accepted that I want speakers in our living room. These are at least good looking when you see them in real life. The lacquer is many layers and it is real wood beneath. 

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4a79b0_9996eddaebd74c46bc7e332faa756eac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1512,h_2016,al_c,q_85/4a79b0_9996eddaebd74c46bc7e332faa756eac~mv2.jpg 

 

grislybutter
2,293 posts
 

@kokakolia 

I am not uptight about it. But if my choice comes down to looks, it matters.

And yes, Wilson and Tekton and a lot of others are very unpleasant to look at. Even Harbeth can be perplexing. Money can't buy taste.

raam
73 posts
 

Partners, equal, you have the right to have some great speakers, make that plain and to the point of not in contention. Then offer to let her help you pick them out, emphasis on help. If she refuses to work this out then you are already on a slippery slope.

I learned the hard, very very hard way, give to much, lose all respect, suffer through the years, end up being very unhappily single and broken hearted.

Next partner, I simply said I am living part of my dream now, racing cars, building them as well and I will change that when I am ready. I also treated her with full respect, took breaks away from my interests and learned to enjoy hers as well. Now more into her hobbies that I was even into mine but it was my choice. I am the happiest married man I have ever met and I can have any speakers I want as long as they fit in the space I setup for them, front and center but I still want them to look like something she likes to see.

 

 

 

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