This couple spent $20,000 on speakers for their three-bedroom condo
Theodore and Nicole Tan with their proudest piece at home, a pair of Dynaudio Contour Legacy speakers. (Photos: Samuel Isaac Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
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When Theodore and Nicole Tan wind down for the day, putting on some music — whether classical, jazz or pop — is second nature.
As the sounds waft over the pair of Dynaudio Contour Legacy speakers in their three-bedroom condo in Sengkang, the couple know they have made a sound investment: $20,000 to be exact.
Handmade in Denmark, the speakers produce crystal clear yet mellow sounds. They are a limited edition model, with only 1,000 pairs produced worldwide.
But for the couple, the appeal was not just about rarity: it was about what the system would allow them to do at home.
“Theodore and I knew we wanted to invest in good audio equipment for our place before we even started renovations,” says Nicole, 29, a civil servant. “We spent months looking for the right one and probably way too many weekends auditioning speakers.”
They eventually found what they were looking for at The Adelphi, a destination familiar to many audio enthusiasts.
Learning to listen
High-end components, including crossover parts and internal wiring, produce a cleaner, more accurate sound.
For Theodore, 32, the relationship with sound started long before this setup.
“It began in secondary school, when I would listen to music every day on the bus,” he says. “I would save up money just to afford a decent pair of earphones. I wasn’t as sensitive to quality then as I am now, but I could still tell the difference between a decent pair of Sennheisers or Shures — and knock-offs.”
That early instinct evolved into something more purposeful. What he was chasing was not just better sound, but a deeper, more immersive way of listening.
“The driving decision was always about making sure the sound quality and immersion were as good as possible,” he says. “We bought this purely to listen to music. At the end of the day, we’re audiophiles more than movie junkies.”
It is also why they did not wait for a larger home.
“We feel that audio can and should be enjoyed anywhere,” he adds. “Don’t let your physical environment stop you from buying your first set of speakers if that is truly what you enjoy.”
In a city where space often dictates how a home is used, that decision stands out. It reflects a shift away from designing around constraints, and towards designing around what matters most to the people living in it.
Audio as the starting point
Besides the rug to help with sound absorption, they are also looking at curtains and other solutions.
Building the living room around the sound system meant rethinking what the space should prioritise. Instead of treating audio as an add-on, it became the starting point.
“We wanted to make sure that the speakers stood out and were the main character of the living room,” Theodore says. “We were ready to sacrifice the sofa and buy chairs instead to make sure that the listening position was correctly configured.”
At the same time, the home still needed to feel liveable.
“At the end of the day, we still wanted to make sure that the living room was a space where we could gather with family and friends, and enjoy music together. We were sure we did not want it to become a showroom.”
The process of refining the space is still ongoing and, like most things in audio, it requires patience.
He confesses: “It takes a lot of trial and error to see what fits the room and what works for the sound,” he says. “Right now, we just have a rug from Ikea to help with sound absorption, but we’re looking at curtains and other solutions to improve it.”
What emerges is a balance that many homeowners try to achieve but rarely articulate — a space that performs, without losing its sense of comfort.
Living with intention
The Tans listen to a wide genre of music, from Mandopop to jazz.
What the setup has changed most is not how often they listen to music, but how they use their home.
“Our home was built around the idea of slowing down, which is also why we went for a minimalist theme,” Theodore says. “The audio setup just completes that.”
Instead of letting music fade into the background, it has become something more deliberate.
“Having it gives us permission to stop, sit and listen,” he says. “It builds intention.”
That shift may sound subtle, but it changes the role that the living room plays. It becomes less about filling silence, and more about creating moments. There were also no expectations on how often the system would be used to justify the cost.
“We did not have an expectation on how much we would use it, but I can say that the moments spent listening are quality ones.”
Interestingly, the audio setup is not something they showcase often to visitors.
“Most of the time, we don’t use it when we have friends over because we want to encourage conversation,” he says. “But if they are curious, we will play something.”
Reactions vary, and not everyone hears what he hears.
“I would say 70% of people won’t be able to tell the difference,” he adds. “But the ones who do are usually impressed, even if they don’t agree with the price.”
Ultimately, the system remains something more personal than performative.
“By and large, it’s an experience that Nicole and I share,” Theodore says.
That shared experience also comes through in their choice of music.
“I listen to classical and jazz. She listens to Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter,” Theodore says. “And when the cousins come over, we end up playing manyao (Chinese EDM). It’s a really diverse playlist that we run through on these speakers.”
Rethinking what ‘worth it’ means
The couple knew they wanted to invest in quality audio equipment even before renovations began.
Spending $20,000 on a speaker system inevitably raises questions about value.
“The thought of making it “worth it” was definitely part of the purchasing decision,” Theodore admits. “But in the end, we saw it as an investment that would last us a lifetime.”
That mindset has influenced how they approach other purchases in their home.
“We were quite prudent with our furniture when we first renovated, but we’ve always considered making each purchase last as long as possible,” he says. “We are not afraid to spend a bit more if it means better longevity and less worry overall.”
And in case you’re wondering, the purchase itself was far from impulsive.
“This setup was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was something we thought about for over three years. So, it was very much a calculated purchase.”
In that sense, the speakers are not just a statement piece. They reflect a broader way of thinking about the home — one where fewer, more intentional decisions take precedence over constant upgrades.
What most people get wrong about audio
An amplifier from Hegel drives the speakers with ease, shaping the overall sound of the space.
For those considering upgrading their own setup, Theodore is quick to challenge a common assumption.
“More expensive doesn’t mean better,” he says. “I have auditioned really expensive setups, even ones that cost more than six digits, and still did not enjoy the sound.”
Instead, what matters is far more personal.
“Sound is subjective. How your space is constructed and what you have in your home will affect how your speakers sound, but what cannot change is whether you actually enjoy the music.”
If there is one place to start, it is with the speakers themselves.
“There are many components in an audio setup, but the most important one is still the speaker,” he says. “Invest in a pair that you really enjoy and that fits your budget. Everything else can come later when you better understand the sound.”
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