We tell you what an interior designer needs to know about modern acoustic systems in order not to step “on the throat of his own song” and to speak the same language as the installer.  

The choice of acoustic systems for a home theater or a special room to be converted into a home cinema can be a real headache for the designer. And, although the installer is responsible for the technical side of the project, the designer should still have at least a general idea of what kind of acoustic systems are and what the modern audio market can offer to the customer.  

Manufacturers of home audio/video electronics have long understood that design is one of the most important factors influencing the popularity and demand for their products. Therefore, today it is quite easy to find speakers of the desired color and shape, without sacrificing sound quality. Especially if you know what to look for and who to ask for help if necessary.  

Traditional speakers in volumetric cases – even if they are made of precious wood and look good – sometimes it is simply impossible to “fit” into a particular interior. In such cases it is worth turning your attention to alternatives. Table and wall-mounted speakers. They are smaller than floor models and give the designer more “space for maneuvering”: they can be put on a shelf or mounted on the wall surface, freeing up space on the floor. Such speakers can look like a reduced copy of traditional box speakers – a wooden enclosure and a pair of speakers in the front panel, and can have a completely unique look, so that it becomes a stylish accessory that decorates the interior. Read here about samsung surround sound system.

An example of this is wireless speakers. The point is that they don’t need a matching subwoofer – in the case of home theaters – because it’s already included, and if you want a pair of speakers you can install them on an elegant floor stand taking up minimum space. This same type of speaker system includes miniature, but great-sounding speakers can be placed on a shelf, mounted on the wall and even suspended from the ceiling.

Speakers should be combined with a well thought-out design. The TV display and the totally flat speakers on both sides and underneath look like a complete package. If desired or necessary, the speakers can be installed on small, neat stands, shelf or floor stand.

To some, wall mounting may seem like a compromise, but in many cases it is absolutely justified and any other options would be redundant. In addition, wall-mounted speakers – unlike recessed speakers – do not need special mounting holes in the wall, which simplifies and speeds up their installation.

Soundbars

Such type of speaker systems as soundbars deserve special mention. This is a compact speaker, which is installed under the TV set and provides a very high-quality sound. Soundbar installation is an effective solution if the customer is not ready to install an advanced audio system, but wants to get something more than sound, which regular TV-speakers are able to give. Such a loudspeaker is fully consistent with the size and color of the display, and if necessary, can be manufactured and painted to individual requirements.

Recessed speakers

There are situations when you can’t do without recessed, or so-called architectural acoustics. One of the main advantages of such systems is the ability to “mimic”; speakers can be made completely invisible by embedding them into walls or furniture and painting decorative grilles in the desired color. It is the use of speakers built into the ceiling that makes it possible to achieve surround sound in projects involving modern immersive, or three-dimensional, audio formats.  

The designer should know that “inbuilt” speakers come in round, square or rectangular shapes, placed flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling. There are a huge variety of models, depending on the purpose of installation: from background sound to the equipment of a full-fledged cinema with all the audio and visual effects of a commercial theater. Special mention should be made of the ceiling acoustic systems designed for ceilings with a shallow installation depth. There are also models that look like ordinary ceiling speakers, but automatically slide out of the ceiling surface when necessary, providing directional sound radiation.