2. speakers
  3. 184735-72868

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
kokakolia's avatar
kokakolia
198 posts
 

I'm reading these posts and it still looks like your speakers are the centerpiece of your room. Or that you don't have much decor or furniture. I personally find this topic silly. Are you all using Tekton Moab speakers in black? Is your living room just a TV, speakers and a grey sofa? Do you have acoustic foam on all 4 walls and in random spots? To me it just sounds like you have to decorate, regardless of the speakers. But good luck making an aesthetically pleasing room with giant black tower speakers... 

I also want to add that the Mission 770 is a tasteful design. It's a giant box, but the white font lightens up the visual impact and the wood veneer sides add warmth.

And what's up with Wilson Audio? Their speakers look like something out of an Alien movie. They are menacing like insects from Starship troopers. The Wilson XVX is an eyesore. The automotive paint finish is reminiscent of bumper cars in an amusement park. The head designer of Wilson Audio must be a 7 year old boy. Seriously...

@grislybutter A lot of people say that. You gotta loosen up. A room without quirky/interesting elements feels like an office rec room. Bring curves, plants, patterns, real wood, color and cozy fabrics into the room. You'll immediately feel better. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

There is an option to have a Speaker put to use, that can enable a creative minded individual to be very involved in how a fascia for a Speaker can appear, as well as be a design for a speaker that is non-intrusive and easily overlooked as being a Speaker.

I suggest visiting the the DIY Audio Forum Full Range Speaker Section, and see how 'The Study of DML as a Speaker' Thread catches your imagination.

I have contributed materials to be tested for this design and was pleasantly surprised by the reporting back on the findings.

There are aesthetics selected for finished models that will be stimulation for ones own ideas.

Have a look at post 10342 in the Link.

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/a-study-of-dmls-as-a-full-range-speaker.272576/page-518

Ag insider logo xs@2x
bouncehit
77 posts
 

It’s called the Tune Audio Marvel 😃

See my ad elsewhere 👍

ghasley
2,507 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
527 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 

 

More to discover