As interior designers, we are often faced with the challenge of our clients asking us to create a space with good audio and media systems. It can be quite daunting since this aspect can be outside of our expertise. Although we can work with industry professionals, it is also good that we have the knowledge of what to place and where and how to position these gadgets inside our client’s home. After all, the addition of these systems can greatly affect the aesthetics and function of a space.
Simon Buddle, a systems integration consultant and installer has some useful tips that can come in handy. Aside from being a regular contributor to HiddenWires and KNXtoday, Buddle also won the 1st prize for CEDIA Region 1 Special Recognition Award.
Buddle recommends the use of speakers with in-wall or in-ceiling back boxes. As back boxes have a great role in bass response, its back should be enclosed rather open to a space. It also gives the user better control of the sound quality once it is installed. Buddle suggests looking into brands such as Triad, B&W and Meridian which have awesome boxed speakers designed to be placed in voids.
When it comes to invisible speakers, which is preferred by most consumers nowadays, Buddle names Stealth Acoustics, Amina, Triad and Sonance as his top choices. The thing with invisible speakers is that they can be tricky to be installed and they produce a sound quality that is less than satisfactory. On his part, Buddle recommends adding high-quality amplification and DAC as supplements to the optimize the speakers’ capacity.
Maintaining the equipment is another aspect that a designer needs to look into. Buddle recommends providing accessibility to the devices and it should be planned out well during the design phase. Installed speakers should be properly documented according to location and dimension. Protection circuitry is also essential as this can protect invisible speakers from acquiring electrical fault.
