Articles and whitepapers

Should Speakers Be Heard and Not Seen? (3/5/2007)

By Alan Cooke, NACSound

The name of this magazine, HiddenWires, is indicative of the current trend in residential installations. Concealing everything that doesn't need to be seen is an option that many homeowners now consider. There are many reasons for this, ranging from important safety aspects to pure aesthetics. Some want the look of the pure minimalist, while others may want to reduce the amount of cleaning required. The custom installer is at the forefront of this trend as they deal with the complexities of the installation, the fabric of the building and the requirements of the clientele.

Loudspeaker systems are also following this trend with speakers disappearing behind walls and ceilings or being disguised as other household objects. New technology and miniaturisation is also allowing ever-smaller speaker units. But is this necessarily a good thing? Or should the installer be able to offer an alternative option of speakers that the client would be proud to position and show?

Advantages of speakers on show

Speakers that are designed to be on show are certainly easier to install. They can be added when the room is finished and positioned to take account of the furniture arrangements and room functions. They are easier to move around the room if a change of site is necessary, and can also be moved vertically or turned or tilted as required.

While it can be argued that unconcealed speakers are more likely to sound better than those designed to be flat and hidden, there is also a psychological advantage in being able to see the speakers. Human hearing is a very perceptive sense and is integrated with the other senses, especially sight. The stereo effect of having two ears enables the person to locate the source of the sound. Research has shown that sound and sight together improve sensory experiences and if they are disconnected the experience is often less than satisfactory. When you hear something odd, you look around in the direction of that sound and you often feel a sense of satisfaction when you locate it. If you don't locate the source your senses will be left unsatisfied and you may be left with a sense of unease.

Concealing speakers

If the customer insists that the speakers are completely hidden from view, they can be installed directly in walls or ceilings, and objects such as works of art can be used to hide them. In these cases careful planning is necessary prior to the construction of the room. Wiring can be hidden behind the walls, ceilings and skirting boards, but if this is not feasible, it is possible to use extremely low profile copper wiring that can be attached to a wall and painted over. Alternatively wireless systems can be employed, although the need for the speakers to be powered means that some wiring will have to be dealt with.

In-wall speakers for home cinema

Displaying speakers

If the client wants to see the speakers then there are many good options available. Many retain the established wooden box structure while others offer more futuristic designs. It is important not to let the design override the sound quality, as this will diminish the listening experience. The NACSound Omni range for example, uses hand-made ceramics to fashion the body of the speaker and a wooden diffuser to supply an omni-directional sound of high quality. The finish can be customised to suit the environment or even waterproofed for outdoor use.

Home cinema speaker setup comprising two NACSound Omni speakers, two Zemi speakers and one subwoofer

Traditionally, speaker arrangements have been directed to one particular position in the room for the listener to enjoy the full benefit of stereophonic sound, but with speakers on show in 3D space, omni-directional sound can now be produced to fill the entire room, thus benefiting everyone in the room, not just the person in the 'sweet spot'.

Conclusion

The choice of seeing the speaker or hiding it is ultimately the client's choice, but as an advisor, the custom installer should point out the pros and cons of either option. If the client does not want to see the speakers then there are many ways of hiding them, but the flexibility of seeing the speakers and the emotional advantages of being able to see the source of the sound should not be underestimated. Furthermore, there are speakers of high quality and design that are meant to be on show and admired both as an object of visual beauty and of sound. As the client will have to live with their decision for a long time, it is worth considering an option that can provide visual as well as aural pleasure for years to come.

Alan Cooke is the Director of NACSound Srl, an established Italian company that designs and manufactures high-quality loudspeakers.

www.nacsound.com