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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
mylogic
835 posts
 

@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.

durkn
108 posts
 

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.

markmuse
335 posts
 

In 60 years of audio I have had only two incidents: A pair of Proac Response 2's had the foam woofer surrounds shredded. And fairly recently they pulled down an acoustic panel that was leaning against the wall. it hit the connectors on one of my Maggies and tore it up. Not too bad for 60+ years of cats and audio. 

mbendell
2 posts
 

I used to own Definitive Technology speakers that had a wrap around cloth grill that could not be removed. I eventually bought two pieces of heavy vinyl which I then sewed Velcro to on the ends of the pieces. This allowed me to wrap the  vinyl around the entire speaker and easily remove them when listening to music. I used black vinyl to match the same color as the speaker. It completely protected my speakers, and the cats lost interest in scratching them when the covers were removed for short periods.

krell303
45 posts
 

My previous cat was speakers-agnostic. When he passed away, we got a beautiful pure breed main coon kitten - a little angel. Very soon have discovered that my Sonus Faber Cremonas started to sound weird. After removing string grilles I was up to $10K surprise - the little angel has destroyed surrounds on all 4 woofers and scratched the leather front...I have ordered and replaced the woofers and sold the speakers with the full disclose of the damage done. 

For the next pair (Guarneris) my wife made covers from moving blankets and we have NEVER leave the speakers uncovered while not listening.

Still love the purring angel:-)

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