Speakers at the Screen

In the real world, we expect a sound to naturally emanate from its source. The happy toot of a baby elephant emanates from a baby elephant. Not the sky, the ground, or a nearby fern.

It should work the same in our exhibitions. Those happy toots should come from speakers as close as possible to the elephant's on-screen image.

So it’s surprising how often we put our speakers in an unnatural place. We don’t like how they look. We couldn't hide them in the wall. Or we forgot the conduit.

So those happy toots come out of the ceiling behind us, we feel less connected to the baby elephant, a wonderful on-screen moment loses its power, and a potential donor isn't moved emotionally.

Here’s the thing:
It’s more important for sound to feel right than to look right.

Put the speakers at the screen.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
Vitrine. [vuh-TREEN] A glass display case. (Caution: although this word is handy, short and fun to say, most people don't know it. You're better off saying "glass display case" instead. But now you know it.)