cats and speakers - looking for clues


My family decided to get a cat. Being an audio-hobbyist for past 20 years, I have collected a modest line of speakers. In a few conversations with friends, I have been warned that speakers and cats do not mix very well. I am certainly curious, not so say anxious to know more, before it is too late.

Does anyone in this group host, or used to host a cat (or cats) and speakers  under the same roof ? Could you please share your experience  ? Should I be concerned that a cat will use my speakers as scratching posts ? Can it be mitigated/avoided somehow ?  If the risk is high, whats the best strategy to deal with  the situation, outside of obvious, such as barricading my speakers in a dedicated room ?

I'd truly appreciate any hint or clue that can help. 

Best - Pete.

pete_a

I have had both cats and speakers for decades and haven't had any issues.

First of all, I have a separate audio/tv room in my basement. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a door.  So, I simply put a shower curtain on an expanding rod across the entry way and a cheap baby gate in place and they forgot there is anything behind it. So, they don't go into the room until...

Second, when I am listening to the stereo or watching a show, the cats are with me. As I keep the original plastic bags the Magnepan LRS shipped in over the speakers when not in use (keeps dust off) and a plastic sheet over my equipment shelf (same reason), they don't bother anything because they don't like plastic and finally...

Cats tend to claw things especially when they are bored.  We have lots of toys and little trouble.

So, if you don't have a separate room that can be enclosed, try a plastic dust cover for the speakers and the equipment. It's not the most aesthetic solution, but it's simple, it's cheap, it's easy to remove and it seems to work.

Keith

We have had cats for 38 years, no problems. Plenty scratching devices has worked.  

Be kind to animals.

My cats got rambunctious and managed to dent the metal dome tweeter in a Monitor Audio GR-20 speaker. I used some sticky tape to pop it back in place. They have since passed on. I really miss those guys.

@kymanor1 “Just get rid of the cat, horrible pets if you can call them that”

I can sympathise as cats can make people scratch, but if l had to personally make a choice, l would be far happier having speakers as pets.

Do yourself a favor & lose the cat.

Cats are OK, as long as they are somebody else's.

 

We bought a house years ago.

I went out of town working the next week & a cat showed up.

I told my wife not to feed it…

That cat pissed on my Vandersteen's. I had to recover them.

Last cat we ever had or will have.

 

Get a dog. Unlikely to piss on your speakers.