I really feel for you guys that have wife/girlfriend problems when it comes to justifying audio purchases or if they will approve of the "look" of speakers etc.
I guess I'm a lucky bastid, because I have a lady who loves audio/music/movies as much as I do.
Priorities!
I just can't imagine living in opposition or fear of a significant other when it comes to something that I am so passionate about. I'd rather live alone than have to live my life justifying everything to someone who "doesn't get why I have to..." etc., all the while meekly trying to eek out a small smidgen of happiness in between what a wife/girlfriend demands of me.
Are we men or mice? I live by the credo: "Don't be p#ssy whipped, you gotta whip that p#ssy!
But I'm a musician who lives a very non-traditional life so, ymmv...
And I do, understand...