Best speaker a wife would tolerate

After years of listening to my wife complain about my Vandersteens (as noted above - big black things), about a month ago I replaced them with Totem Arros .... incredibly small and elegant floorstander, and they don't seem to mind being placed close to the wall (another big consideration). ( I got a thumbs down on any monitor that needed to be placed on a stand .... ) Oh yeah ... they sound great too....
So far so good (but then I haven't yet broken the news about the REL sub that's going to have to join the Arros.....)

My B&W 805's have high WAF. I matched their cherry finish with a REL Strata III in cherry, which is tolerated, if not loved. But seriously, I have gained an unexpected pride in ownership after a while. The 805's have a "Classic Modern " style, kind of like a Jean Michel Frank piece of furniture, (simple design, highest quality materials and manufacturing) I asked my wife which speakers she liked, and SHE chose the 805's first! My first and second choices were the Aeriel Model 6, and the Audio Physic Tempo respectively. Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

worth a peek and a listen.

My wife hates any speaker that requires a wire attached and has to be placed away from the wall. You will have to hide the speakers completely , put them in the wall or choose something tiny and cute to satisfy this type of woman. If you are into sound you just have to take a stand. Claim a room and set up your system properly. Just don't try to claim the living room ! Since media rooms are in vogue you might also suggest that. If you don't have any "spare rooms" buy a pair of good monitors with stands and move them to your living room after the wife goes to bed. They can be kept in a hall or closet when not in use.

My wife made me use some very expensive B&W in-wall speakers until I brought the B&W CDM-1SE minimonitors home. They sound fabulous and look great in the cherry finish. One of Sam Tellig's (Stereophile) favorite speakers. They've just been discontinued for a Nautilus version and cost $600-800 used, a steal. I recommend the Vandersteen 2W (used) or 2Wq (new) as the sub over a B&W sub.