...but my wife is in disagreement.
That can often be a problem. Many concessions have been made for this very reason.
Some wives might be inclined to cover the whole speaker with a little piece of fabric (like a little table cloth) that covers most of the front of it, and put a trinkie what not on top of it.
I learned long ago to pick only the battles that you can win and give in on the little stuff.
Sorry, no real solution from me today.