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grilles on or off the speakers??

As most of you are aware, there are a number of speaker manufacturers that claim a "specially designed" grille for their speakers, that prevent edge diffraction and whatever and do no recommend they be removed.

Since no women were inviting me to the Caribbean, and having nothing better to do, I decided what the heck and put the grilles back on my speakers. I anticipated no effect, but they sounded different. They went on and off several times, and there is clearly an auditory diffence...not necessarily better or worse either way...just different

SO, what do you think, grilles on or off, and are specially designed grilles snake oil or science??

Thanks
rsasso
ex_midwest's avatar
ex_midwest
11 posts
 
I have Vienna Acoustic Bach Baby Grand speakers and after six months of listening without grilles, I put them back on. They stage a little more precisely, bass goes deeper and is more controlled, but mostly they seem more balanced top-to-bottom. And I am less nervous about my housekeeper dusting them every two weeks.
xti16
1,495 posts
 
Ex_midwest
My brother in law has those same speakers and I will admit to me they sound better with the grills off (for most of what say with your grills on except for the bass). I guess it may also have to do with the total system synergy and the room they are in.

Interesting post I'll admit.

BTW my C1 grills are on when my grandsons come over (came way too close to loosing a tweeter because of a thrown wooden coaster).
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the only good reason to leave grills off is the prevent the lousy veneer from fading everyw exhcept under the grills. i've seen speakers cabinets fade faster than you can imagine in rooms with average light.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
The only reason to leave grills off is that almost every speaker sounds better without them. Try to imagine how obstructing the sound waves can improve the sound. My Mini Utopias did not come with any, have wooden shields that fit over them for protection when being moved.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
Richard Vandersteen says grills should stay in place. The speaker is voiced WITH grills.
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