
System #2: Aspirational Audio
Because this space is used mainly for two-channel music listening, the owners had no qualms about planting two 6-foot-tall speakers in the room. Manufactured by Wilson Audio, these top-of-the-line Alexandria speakers mirror the seriousness of this listening space—as does their $135,000 per pair retail price. Says Craig Abplanalp of Definitive Audio in Seattle and Bellevue, Wash.: “Although there’s a flat-panel TV in the area, the owners spend the bulk of their time playing the stereo system,” which also includes a Linn Unidisk 1.1 disc player, a Linn Kistro A/V preamp, Halcro DM68 mono amps, and an SME 30/2 turntable, all connected with high-end Transparent Cable.

Purpose-built for high-performance audio, this room above a detached garage was acoustically treated with fabric panels on the ceiling, which enhances the clarity of music and intelligibility of the dialogue in movies, and is so well-designed it appears as a standard painted ceiling.

The hands-free option is a voice-activated and Internet-connected assistant for the home.
Home control technologies can enhance ambiance, entertainment and comfort in the dining room.
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