Hiding the Technology: How Interior Designers Get Reference Sound Without Visible Speakers

By David Frangioni | Frangioni Media

The Short Answer

Interior designers can get reference-level sound and picture without visible technology by planning four things with the technology designer before finishes are selected: invisible or architectural speakers, a concealment strategy for the screen, acoustically transparent fabric where needed, and keypads that match the hardware schedule.

I am David Frangioni. My background is recording studios, where the room has to perform, and Frangioni Media now brings that standard to luxury homes across South Florida. The best projects I see are the ones where the interior designer and technology designer plan together early.

Invisible and Architectural Speakers

Plaster-in speakers disappear completely into walls and ceilings and are finished with the surrounding surface. Small-aperture in-ceiling speakers with paintable or trimless grilles are another option. In a dedicated theater, an acoustically transparent fabric wall can hide the entire front speaker array and subwoofers.

Concealing the Screen

• Recessed niches with millwork panels.
• Motorized lifts from cabinetry or the ceiling.
• Art-frame or mirror TVs.
• Projection with a retractable screen in a ceiling pocket.

Each option affects millwork, structure and ventilation, so it needs to be detailed with the cabinetmaker.

Fabric, Treatment and Color

Acoustic panels do not have to look like acoustic panels. Fabric wall systems, upholstered panels and wood diffusers can be part of the design language. In a theater, darker finishes around the screen improve contrast. I share the performance target, and you choose how it looks.

Controls That Match

Lighting and shade keypads can usually be ordered in finishes that match the hardware schedule, and many rooms can run from one discreet keypad and a phone. Fewer devices on the wall is almost always the better design.

After Move-In

The homeowner should call us, not you, when something needs attention. That is how we structure every project. More on how we work with designers is on our page for interior designers, and our Florida service areas are listed here.

Talk to Us

Working on a residence where the technology needs to disappear? Call (786) 295-9674 or send us the details.