I agree with Onhwy61. A lot of audiophiles I know don't even consult their spouses, and this often results in marital discord--both for aesthetic concerns and the money spent. But the guys I know are generally buying these monster speakers that totally dominate the living area, not subtle bookshelf units or small, good-looking floorstanders that blend easily into the decor. Another problem is that many audiophiles don't have a dedicated room, so their toys must share a space that many women want clean and presentable. Me, I'm pretty lucky. I have a basement that I insisted be turned into a listening/viewing area. My wife, knowing that I spent most of my money on the house downpayment, willingly consented. She's made some mildly disparaging comments since--usually about the clutter--but overall she's been extremely tolerant and understanding.
The Mechanics of WAF
I understand the basic concept of WAF - different people are affected to different levels and for (potentially) different reasons, but people who co-habitate often have to pay at least some attention to the other residents' aesthetics when acquiring audio gear, especially speakers.
So, I really get this scenario:
"Honey, I'm going to buy these 7-foot, 300lbs/side speakers and put them in the LR"
"Sweetie, you do that and you might as well have them delivered to the apartment you're going to be renting"
"Okay, I'll keep looking"
But there are any number of For Sale ads that say "These speakers are 2 months old but have to go due to WAF"
How does this happen? Is it all rookie mistakes, where the spouse doesn't think about what a given speaker might actually look like until it's literally in their house? Do people who make the purchase just not hear what they're being told before they purchase? Just curious what leads to this frustrating outcome.
So, I really get this scenario:
"Honey, I'm going to buy these 7-foot, 300lbs/side speakers and put them in the LR"
"Sweetie, you do that and you might as well have them delivered to the apartment you're going to be renting"
"Okay, I'll keep looking"
But there are any number of For Sale ads that say "These speakers are 2 months old but have to go due to WAF"
How does this happen? Is it all rookie mistakes, where the spouse doesn't think about what a given speaker might actually look like until it's literally in their house? Do people who make the purchase just not hear what they're being told before they purchase? Just curious what leads to this frustrating outcome.