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Why Put Up With "Wife Approval Factor"?

During the past few weeks there have been a number of posts regarding finding cables, racks, and other items that wives and girlfriends "approve" of. It would appear that some of these choices have to be made so as not to "disturb" or "change" some type of decorating plan. Or that the choices might "clash" with the existing decor or home layout.
This leads me to question just "how important" audio really is for some of these folks. Or to maybe tweak a few noses the wrong way, ask how henpecked are some of these people? Haven't they made it clear to the wife or girlfriend that audio is a serious long-term interest; not just an expensive way to play background music? Haven't they made it clear that a first rate audio system is every bit as important to them as a nice jewelry item or set of furniture is to the wife or girlfriend?
While I realize that some of us have the luxury of a dedicated listening room; for many of us the family room or
living room is where the bulk of our main audio systems reside. What's wrong with having a nice looking audio set-up
in those rooms? The days of "sitting rooms" where TV screens and audio equipment are hidden is long gone. The only places that type of space exist any longer are in those "decorator" magazines that show the homes of the well-to-do and other decorators.
What are your thoughts?
avideo
tok20000's avatar
tok20000
608 posts
 
Avideo, then you have a great girlfriend! Be happy! You have your cake and are eating it to. I slightly envy you. My wife loves the audio... although she has drawn a line in the living room at NO MORE SPEAKERS. I currently run 7 channel surround sound and 7 peakers is a bit much for her, heh heh...

Although if you do marry her... she could change and transform... but no telling. :-)

KF
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
My wife is always complaining that I don't listen to her. She's right.
She always complains about everything I buy. "It's ugly, that's hideous...". I always offer to go upline, buy something else I may have wanted but didn't have the money for. I tell her look, I could get these (fill in the blank), it will only cost another couple grand. That usually shuts her up. After a week or so, I never hear another complaint about that item again.
I do think the WAF has a lot to do with the cable business though, because we can easily change cables in and out without any comments at all. She has no idea what goes on behind the equipment.
blkadr
739 posts
 
When I was a kid I cared about sound and not what speakers or any of my stuff looked like. Now I do. I want attractive speakers in my living room (the only room fit for sound in my home). My wife did not like one of the speakers I had in the past and I sold them. But I got rid of them because I didnt like them as much as I had anticipated, not because she didnt like them. Not that I am boss of the world, it is because she was willing to compromise to make me happy. She is glad I care what our living room looks like and usually likes what I pick out. Even with a limited budget like mine you can find speakers that sound -and- look good. Life is a two way street when you are married and if you dont respect your partner you should live alone.
ksales
228 posts
 
I have my room where I have the speakers racks amps video gadgets I want tastefully decorated by my wife. I put stuff where I want for musical video reasons. However, the main living areas are also decorated tastefully by my wife, who, except for her selection of me, has fantastic taste. This is where wife friendly and compromise comes in. I love the best sound and video within reason everywhere major I use it. Living room and Bedroom included. My wife let me get revel M20's in rosewood and this was a push. Nothing free standing in the floor. Surrounds are highest level sonance buried in the ceiling. I snuck in a 10" white sunfire archetectural sub in a corner in front of white woodwork and she has lived with it. My amps preamps ect. are buried in a huge armoir bookshelf where the speakers reside. Is the sound as good as it could be. No the sub could certainly be bigger and better as could all else(although the proceed AVP and CJ 5600 amp do make a sweet combo). However the sound is a whole lot better than the alternative and my wife actually likes it.
roggiedog
16 posts
 
Tubemiser,
You have a very unjealous wife. My wife won't listen to my system, she likes her pioneer much better. There was one moment when I begged her to sit and listen to how real a voice could sound...I saw the awe in her face for a split second and a nod of approval. That was quite a moment.
She's back to the pioneer now, but I like it that way.
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