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The Mechanics of WAF

I understand the basic concept of WAF - different people are affected to different levels and for (potentially) different reasons, but people who co-habitate often have to pay at least some attention to the other residents' aesthetics when acquiring audio gear, especially speakers.

So, I really get this scenario:

"Honey, I'm going to buy these 7-foot, 300lbs/side speakers and put them in the LR"
"Sweetie, you do that and you might as well have them delivered to the apartment you're going to be renting"
"Okay, I'll keep looking"

But there are any number of For Sale ads that say "These speakers are 2 months old but have to go due to WAF"

How does this happen? Is it all rookie mistakes, where the spouse doesn't think about what a given speaker might actually look like until it's literally in their house? Do people who make the purchase just not hear what they're being told before they purchase? Just curious what leads to this frustrating outcome.
kthomas
ellery911
549 posts
 
I never thought about WAF when it comes to stereo gear...well...probably cause I don't have a Waf yet...but conversely...before I ever found audiogon...and the term WAF...I used to think about what it would be like if my future (if there ever is one) wife brought something home that really just made my butt pucker...you know...like the big pink bunnies that Marco talks about. I'm sure it's gonna happen someday so I've figured a way to use WAF to my advantage. It's a rather simple system

HAF

Husband acceptance factor

Now...this is actually a pretty inexpensive system to solve all of your WAF problems. At Pike Market in downtown Seattle...there was this little shop...can't remember the name...but pretty much any "headshop" should do. They sell these lamps that look like mushrooms...and all kinds of other REALLY UGLY things that only the BIGGEST stoner with the LEAST amount of taste could ever even think about owning...regardless of cost.

Get yourself one of those lamps...proudly display it...when your wife says..."What the hell is that thing?!?!"...just casually turn to her and say..."oh...it's my new reading lamp...you like it?"...when she now insists that you get rid of that ALSO...act like a child...not a full blown temper tantrum...but do the awwwww shucks thing...can't have my stereo, can't have my lamp...

OK...so...you're asking...what the hell does this have to do about getting my tunes back in the living room?

absolutely nothing...but keep that lamp...cause now...everytime your wife brings home anything that doesnt meet HAF...just remind her about the lamp in the closet.
honest1
586 posts
 
Maybe the big pink bunnies would improve the room acoustics.
blakeaudio
40 posts
 
kind of like bass traps!
jcground
3 posts
 
So what does it stand for?

I'm new here, but no stranger to forums about other music topics, particularly guitars & other instruments.

I gather WAF must stand for Wife Appreciation Factor or something like that. On musician forums, I see lots of references to SWMBO ("she who must be obeyed" - swimbo for short) - pretty similar.

Seems like both subjects attract a lot of guys, and we sometimes have trouble convincing our significant others that the things we love are really cool and deserve a prominent spot in the house. (I wonder if women frequent chat rooms where they talk about how to convince guys that a shelf full of precious moments figures is a good idea.)

Sorry if my supposition is crass. I'm not trying to put off any female members of the community. Just curious about an acronym that I keep seeing.

Jim
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
The WAF is often (not always) being used as a scapegoat. Someone made a mistake and rather than say these speakers sound terrible in my listening area the "Wife Acceptance Factor" card is used.
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