@soix ,
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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,
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- 102 posts total
First of all remember you are both living in this space, so you should be allowed input. On the other hand you can adapt by getting some speakers that are not an affront to the aesthetic. So, do some looking… there are absolutely drop dead gorgeously stand mounted speakers that will look and sound better than those KEFs. Cough up the money. Also, pick your spot… find one of the locations to be your spot for really enjoying music. Stake your claim. Also, when you have a plan or Whang to buy something… go all out, wine her, dine her, shower her with gifts.. then bring up what you want to do… how could she refuse such a wonderful guy. When I was building my audio system my partner (of 37 years now) was into aesthetics of the house and home theater. So I would buy her a really great piece of high end home theater gear… and then buy myself an amp… or speakers… or whatever. Once you treat her first, she will have a hard time denying you.
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My speakers are large (51"H), and my wife has never been a fan. It's an ongoing point of contention, even after 41 years. She's happiest when they're shoved into the corners, where they happen to sound pretty dead. Most of the time we compromise with them out in the room just a bit so I can tolerate the sound. On occasion, I'll pull them out and let them sing. It's not ideal, but it's better than some invisible ceiling speakers, or something hiding behind the books. |
To satisfy all parties in this endeavor, including interior designers, I’ve had great luck with products like the James Small Aperture series:
https://www.jamesloudspeaker.com/categories/1
They also have subwoofers that can be hidden in some creative places: https://www.jamesloudspeaker.com/categories/8 https://originacoustics.com/collection/minimal-opening/ However, James really sets the bar for that type of solution They can even design, fabricate and custom finish any speaker design you can dream up. They aren’t cheap, though.
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I have to apologize for my prior post. I just couldn’t resist and I’m a sad person. In all seriousness now, and realizing that not only do I not know your taste but very likely have nowhere near either of your senses and/or gifts for style, I’ve always considered these Italian-designed Diapason speakers to be among the most strikingly beautiful I’ve ever seen and almost as much wood sculpture as they are speakers. And to me the beauty is magnified because they’re also form-follows-function designs so the beauty is not just skin deep. https://www.diapason-italia.com/en/astera.html https://www.diapason-italia.com/en/adamantesV.html For a more industrial look, if that’s what you’re more into, the Gallo Strada 2 might fit the bill. https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Gallo-Acoustics-Strada-2-Loudspeaker-Side My highest recommendation would be for you to claim a dedicated audio room of your own and pick what you like for both sound and aesthetics. Everything else will likely be a huge compromise in sound quality, and life is too short to be a slave to looks alone IMHO. Best of luck. |
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