Grills on or off?

orcsnstuff

I a new to the site and have some SDA 2As that I bought back in 1988. I love the speakers and just wanted to ask
the community about how you listen to yours, if you have them. If I am listening to classical or jazz at relatively high volumes I take the grills off because the sound seems "brighter" and more lifelike to me. If I am listening to heavy metal I put the grills back on because the music is more "in your face" and seems a bit harsh.

At lower volumes I tend to leave the grills off regardless of the type of music because the sound seems subdued with them on.

Has anyone else done this or am I just being weird? :eek:

headrott

Welcome to the forum orcsnstuff! I agree with your findings regarding the grill on vs. off. While I almost always listen to my 2.3TL's with the grills on, there are different music styles and masterings requiring the grills be on or off. Different people have different findings though, but as I said I agree with yours.

Greg

orcsnstuff

I figured other folks did the same thing but never had a chance to ask anyone else with Polks Funny, but this is the first time I have actually talked to anyone who had any. When I bought mine, all my buddies had either Klipsch or Bose.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

I believe Flavor Flav would say, "Definitely ON!" Or did you mean speaker grills?

Stick around and have some fun!

cnh

Toolfan66

I like my grills on cooking a fat **** steak...

Toolfan66

With the thinner grill cloth I have now no reason to have them off unless someone comes over...

gdb

There's like, what, maybe 3 threads on this subject already but I'll re-state... grilles on for looks and driver safety ! I also drive my car with the hood on, as much as I like the looks of my engine.

drumminman

Grills on mostly - unless I want to look at the drivers :cheesygrin:

I haven't noticed any difference either way.

DVADER

Polks have always looked better with the grilles off. A great looking speaker. That being said, dust agrees and seems to cling to them like crazy. As far as sound, I feel the same way being better with them off, but its probably mental.

GreggC

Pretty much the same thoughts as others. When I had my SDA-1's set up I liked the look without the grills on, sound-wise I don't think there was much difference. (I moved to a smaller house a few years ago and now the speakers are in the basement and not in use)

Barcus1963

Grills off unless the little heathins are around to push in the cones:twisted:
Sorry about the bad pic shot getting ready to move:cheesygrin:

smglbrth

Toolfan66 wrote: »

With the thinner grill cloth I have now no reason to have them off unless someone comes over...

Just wondering which grill cloth you went with? I have been tooling with the idea for years just never got around to it.

Oh yes, to the OP, mostly I keep mine on. Agree that sometimes it depends on the music.

michael1947

My grilles are off almost all the time, I just like the look of all of the drivers, don't care which speakers they are from little rti a1's or the sda-srs's. ALL GRILLES ARE ON WHEN MY GRAND CHILDREN COME OVER...JUST VISUALIZE A 3 FOOT TALL PERSON GOING AROUND WITH A SHARP PENCIL EXPLORING AND DISCOVERING ALL THE LITTLE HOLES THAT CAN BE PUNCHED SO EASILY.

steveinaz

Personal preference, though some speakers are measured/voiced with grills on---if that's important to you. Harbeth's are designed to be played with the grills in place, and the manual recommends them staying on for flattest response.

mdaudioguy

Yep, my Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grands are designed to be played with grills on (well, kind of...):

Innovative and unique grilles feature an aluminum frame that incorporates
an integral V-shaped phase diffusor to control dispersion so that they can
be left on for all but the most critical listening without an adverse influence
on performance. In fact, it can be used as an additional tuning device for
the audio enthusiast, benefiting soundstage presentation both in depth
and stereo imaging. As an additional benefit, the V-shaped groove running
the length of the middle of the grille results in a more elegant appearance
for the speaker.

An additional tuning device?? Translation - they sound different with the grills on or off. For the most critical listening, there might be an adverse influence on performance... Go with whatever sounds best to you!
Here's a pic showing the "integral V-shaped phase diffusor."

mdaudioguy

I also found the grill design of my Monitor 11s to be interesting.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?99893-Can-anyone-explain-this-%28Monitor-11%29

kermit_xc

bump

Syndil

IMO naked speakers (grilles off) is something that goes out of style the moment a person graduates from using milk crates as furniture. I put that right up there with having neon lights on your car or wearing Ed Hardy clothing. If that's your bag, fine, but no thank you.

doctor r

Welcome to the forum. Lots of ideas to search and share with fun for all. Seriously though, at lower volumes, I always thought my Monitor 7bs sounder better with the grills off. With lighter jazz also thought off was better, though with other individuals around the grills were always on to prevent curious fingers from exploring. The right answer is "follow your ears"!

specd_out

I never noticed much of a difference on my Rtia5s sound wise. I keep the covers on most of the time mainly to protect the speakers. If i have friends over who come to talk audio and listen I will remove them. If i am talking photos they are off. If kids come over they are on.

CTTE

"I like to watch."