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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
bundy
127 posts
 
Amen Brother!
twl
3,251 posts
 
I'm not married. I have speakers 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide each, placed way out into the living room. I have no TV. My listening chair is placed right in the sweet spot with no regard for "fitting into a decor". I have room lenses positioned where they should be. I have a small table for my wine glass and my ashtray. I spend myself half broke quite often on new gear and Lp's. If I have to eat hot dogs for awhile to make up for it, then that's what I do. If I have a date, we go out, or if she comes in, then she accepts things as they are. Changing your life for every swinging skirt that comes along is no way to live.
aaronm's avatar
aaronm
99 posts
 
Tube Miser,

The ARC comment is correct. It is one of the things (besides sound) that I enjoyed about owning ARC. I now have Pass Labs Equipment and fortunately it all sorta looks the same, too. Problem is as you move up the line of preamps each has an additional chassis. I only need to hide the receipts.

I have a cooperative wife when it comes to the appearance of the room. Afterall, no one would agree that Dunlavy SC-Vs are nice for a room's decor. I try to accomodate her esthetic needs whenever possible. But she understands the life long endeavor of great sound.--Or at least says she does.

She gets to choose all furniture that is sat upon, tables, and all major appliances around the house. These are what are important to her. A marriage is a never ending group of compromises. I am fortunate to only have to compromise on those items that are of importance to her and she only on the ones important to me. Sounds simple when typed.

Best Regards, Aaron
rogue
7 posts
 
Avideo, All the power to you. My theroy is this. The hosue has many rooms. All I ask for is 1 room to do as I please in. IF after all the hard work I do,the women in my life wont give me one room to do as I please in, then she is not the one I would want to spend the rest of my life with.
To many of you guys are so pecked it pathetic
avideo OP
222 posts
 
Just for the record, I should mention that I've been married twice in the past. My first wife and I were together
for 9+ years before getting a no-fault divorce. And my second wife (who was everything the first WAS NOT) and I were together for three years; before she passed away quite suddenly following a surgery. For the past two years, my current girlfriend and I have been living together in my home. While I do try to get equipment racks, stands, and speakers that do blend well with out better quality furniture (mostly Ethan Allen); I've NEVER had to hide or in any way move my equipment around to meet with some arbitrary decorating scheme. Or for that matter meet with some overly fussy woman's "approval".
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