Parts Express black grill cloth. Decent?

avguytx

With what I've read from various posts, most seem to like the Hancock Fabrics Pointe series of black grill cloth for their replacement choice. I have a $125 Parts Express order I was going to place and at that point, shipping is free so I thought I "might" get grill cloth from them. Has anyone used it with awful results where you had to redo the speakers? The main thing this is for is the SRS 2.3's that I bought for my best friend that I am redoing before I take them to him next month. The frames are in perfect shape but the grills have "cat scratch fever" and are coming unattached in spots. Also, the grill cloth covered side panels are going to be redone along with the grills since 2 out of 4 of the side panels are coming unglued. I'd rather just redo it all at the same time so that the grills match the sides. I never even have the grills on mine here at home so I haven't even thought about redoing mine yet.

He has no cats so I don't have to worry about that happening again. The closest Hancock Fabric store is in Lewisville which is about 30 minutes away. Not the worst difference so I guess it's just the traffic and time that makes me deliberate on either ordering it from PE (for free freight) versus ordering it from HF and paying $10 in freight. it won't cost me $10 in gas to go get it.

Thoughts? Opinions? Other ideas?

F1nut

FWIW, I think it's fine.

nik_martinov

You will not be able to tell the difference between the Parts Express grill cloth and the original from the SDA's! I have used it a few times and it is perfect.
Good luck.

engtaz

DarqueKnight changed his but I forgot the cloth he used.

avguytx

In his book, he talks about the stuff from Hancock Fabrics.

ka7niq

Black Spandex is the hot tip.

Right from Dr Roger West from the Sound Labs Electrostatic Speakers Web site

What kind of grille cloth do you recommend?
All of the grille cloth we use is acoustical grade. I recommend the black Spandex cloth particularly because it has the least acoustical resistance

MillerLiteScott

I was afraid spandex was going to come back.:D

ka7niq

Not only does Dr West recommend it for his Sound Labs Speakers, but I seen others who used it as well.
It stretches in 4 directions.
It has other "possibilities" as well IF you don't like the sound, :rolleyes:

avguytx

ka7niq wrote: »

Not only does Dr West recommend it for his Sound Labs Speakers, but I seen others who used it as well.
It stretches in 4 directions.
It has other "possibilities" as well IF you don't like the sound, :rolleyes:

Just don't post any pictures of you wearing it around. Keep that to yourself!

ka7niq wrote: »

Not only does Dr West recommend it for his Sound Labs Speakers, but I seen others who used it as well.
It stretches in 4 directions.
It has other "possibilities" as well IF you don't like the sound, :rolleyes:

I just wonder how it would look on the side panels as I am going to be redoing those, too. My best friend isn't going to hear s**t from shinola on the differences in the grill cloth. He'll love them no matter what. I've worked with grill cloth for all sorts of applications for home and car stuff thru the years. I can darn near stretch grill cloth around a basketball without a seam. (almost, I said)

Toolfan66

Grill cloth from Speaker Works is the best I have found, it's Jet Black, Parts Express had a dark purple look to it in the light, hated it...

nooshinjohn

I contacted Magnepan when I redid my 1.2TL's. I used the same cloth that is used on the outer cover of their MG20.7.. This is top notch stuff, but very thin. I like being able to see a hint of the drivers under the cloth.

Toolfan66

la2vegas wrote: »

@Toolfan66 would the material from speaker works have the look and feel to pass for the polk original?

It's better..

stogie

I've used cloth from my local Joann Fabrics for my SDA SRS's (front & sides) and 2B Studios (front only) with good results. I went this route from a thread by DK a while back. I haven't tried any of the other cloths out there but just ordered some samples from Speakerworks to compare with Joann. Here is a link to the Joann cloth.

http://www.joann.com/sew-classic-knit-ponte-black/864595.html

Also, it's pretty inexpensive.

Mike Reeter

I've used this cloth from PE many times http://www.parts-express.com/mellotone-premium-black-speaker-grill-cloth-yard-64-wide--260-332

It's more expensive, but it is the closest match that I've found to the original. It is heavy and BLACK, but very easy to work with.

Toolfan66

There is no reason to want it heavy, if anything you want it thinner but good quality, why would you want a thicker material covering your drivers, and tweeters??

This is why I like speaker works, jet black in color, good quality, and a little thinner than the stock grill cloth..

When you strip your old cloth off be sure to repaint your frames with a fresh coat of black paint..

Mike, next time you need some get it from speaker works, the color and quality is much better, it doesn't have that purple look to it, trust me you will notice it when you see them side by side..

Speaker works will send you a sample piece to check out, it's $3 or $5 i can't remember..

stogie

Speakerworks will send up to 4 sample pieces at no charge if you send them a self addressed envelope with postage. If you order samples from their website they cost $1.00 each plus shipping.

Mike Reeter

Toolfan66 wrote: »

There is no reason to want it heavy, if anything you want it thinner but good quality, why would you want a thicker material covering your drivers, and tweeters??

This is why I like speaker works, jet black in color, good quality, and a little thinner than the stock grill cloth..

When you strip your old cloth off be sure to repaint your frames with a fresh coat of black paint..

Mike, next time you need some get it from speaker works, the color and quality is much better, it doesn't have that purple look to it, trust me you will notice it when you see them side by side..

Speaker works will send you a sample piece to check out, it's $3 or $5 i can't remember..

Yep, the only downside to the Mellotone cloth is that it may not be as transparent as the thinner cloth, I just prefer it, as it is a very close match to the original.

I have the Speaker Works cloth on my 1C's, you're right, it is BLACK and quite a bit thinner and more transparent than the original or the Mellotone.

I usually take my grills off for any serious listening sessions anyway. Everyone's mileage may certainly vary!

RandyCroissant

When you re attach the cloth to the grill frames what method looks and works the best. Polk used a million od size staples?

gwg_97

I used stainless steel staples and a cheap pneumatic stapler from HF. Worked great. I don't think I would recommend using a hand stapler.

Toolfan66

I use 3M spray adhesive..