Take it off, girls!!!

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited September 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I was foolin' around with my speakers yesterday and decided to experience them naked. Of course, I've heard for years that a cheap tweak is to take off the grilles, but didn't pay it any attention. I noticed that with the grilles on, they speakers sounded a bit muffled, whereas when the grilles were off, the sound was "unveiled."

Try it. You might like it. My grilles weigh several pounds each due to lots of 3/4" MDF, so the effect might be more significant. I can now understand why some designers recommend removing the grilles, while others expect the listener to keep them on. The grille probably has to be factored into the design.
HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

"God grooves with tubes."
Post edited by Early B. on
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2008
    ALL my speakers are naked. Always have been and always will be. Just love the look.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2008
    The grills never come off my speakers. I don't even want my kids to know there are things that move under those grills.....
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • KrazyMofo24
    KrazyMofo24 Posts: 1,210
    edited November 2008
    I left mine off for the Lsi's but for my Haydn's manual says not to clean dust off the tweeter since it may damage the tweeter. I figure if that sensitive better leave them on.
    Setup:

    2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
    PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited November 2008
    mine are neked
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2008
    I don't even have no stinken grills!
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2008
    Mine are always covered. One less thing that I need to dust!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited November 2008
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Mine are always covered. One less thing that I need to dust!

    I don't have to dust. Everything here is already covered:D
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited November 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I can now understand why some designers recommend removing the grilles, while others expect the listener to keep them on. The grille probably has to be factored into the design.
    Yes some designers (ie Paradign , PSB) have the effect of the grilles taken into consideration when voicing them,others recommend removing them.
    None of mine have grilles.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited November 2008
    The woofers are grilled but not the mid or tweeter. The speakers don't even come with grills for the top end.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited November 2008
    I put the grills back on. My naked speakers were **** with my mind. With grilles off, my speakers look like some serious muscular party speakers due to their dual 12" woofers. Not cool with jazz vocals. Can you imagine Arnold Schwarzenegger singing soprano?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Igo
    Igo Posts: 411
    edited November 2008
    McLoki wrote: »
    The grills never come off my speakers. I don't even want my kids to know there are things that move under those grills.....


    That's hilarious.
    ...Link to my System Showcase...
    "ES - Kind'a simple but I like it"

    Sony ES STR-DA4300ES 7.1
    Sony ES SACD SCD-C2000ES
    Sony 400 Disc CD CDP-CX455
    Infinity BU-2 Sub-Woofer
    Polk Audio RT800i Towers
    Polk Audio CS400i Center
    Polk Audio FXiA6 Surrounds
    Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones
    DH-Labs T-14 Speaker Cables
    Panamax Max 500 DBS Line Conditioner
    Panasonic TH-50PZ85U 50'-Plasma
    Play Station III - BluRay
    Logitech Harmony 550 Remote
    Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited November 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I was foolin' around with my speakers yesterday and decided to experience them naked. Of course, I've heard for years that a cheap tweak is to take off the grilles, but didn't pay it any attention. I noticed that with the grilles on, they speakers sounded a bit muffled, whereas when the grilles were off, the sound was "unveiled."

    Try it. You might like it. My grilles weigh several pounds each due to lots of 3/4" MDF, so the effect might be more significant. I can now understand why some designers recommend removing the grilles, while others expect the listener to keep them on. The grille probably has to be factored into the design.

    Rookie
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  • Igo
    Igo Posts: 411
    edited November 2008
    I'm surrounded by nakid ones. Both woofers AND the tweeter showin'. Blushing as I type in fact. Man, I gotta go close my curtains.
    ...Link to my System Showcase...
    "ES - Kind'a simple but I like it"

    Sony ES STR-DA4300ES 7.1
    Sony ES SACD SCD-C2000ES
    Sony 400 Disc CD CDP-CX455
    Infinity BU-2 Sub-Woofer
    Polk Audio RT800i Towers
    Polk Audio CS400i Center
    Polk Audio FXiA6 Surrounds
    Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones
    DH-Labs T-14 Speaker Cables
    Panamax Max 500 DBS Line Conditioner
    Panasonic TH-50PZ85U 50'-Plasma
    Play Station III - BluRay
    Logitech Harmony 550 Remote
    Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited November 2008
    LSi speakers and all Polk speakers are recommended with grilles On, I think. It's too diffract the sound waves but it seems no difference the grilles on or off for my LSis. I have mine with grilles on because I don't want my fur friend to ruin the driver (and liners).
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited November 2008
    Clothed when others are present, nekid when they aint.

    I take them off when I'm seriously listening...
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited November 2008
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Mine are always covered. One less thing that I need to dust!


    Mine still get dusty with the grills on...all those woofers pumping back and forth move a lot of air. The larger particle more abrasive dust stays outside the grill, and inside the grill its that super fine dust.

    The ones that really get dusty even when the grills are on are the time aligned slanted variety like my LV Sat's

    I leave the grills on in the HT and off when listening to music in the mancave :D


    attachment.php?attachmentid=36678&d=1227412410
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited November 2008
    Shadow -- what kind of speaker is that?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited November 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Shadow -- what kind of speaker is that?

    Audio Concepts Inc.LV and Titans?
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited November 2008
    I'd imagine that if you play a steady sine and have somebody place and remove the grill for you (at least hold it in front (A/B) you might be able to better tell if it makes a difference, right? Or jave them wave it in front, then you might hear a warble of sorts.
    When somebody walks in front of me when I'm listening the pitch changes or the sound changes. Yesterday when I was messing with REW and playing a steady sine, my son opened a door to an adjacent room (about 20' away from the speakers and behind me) and I immediately noticed a change in the pitch or something of the sine when the door opened and closed. I thouhht to myself-now that was interesting. It was immediate and evident.

    For me, I keep the grills on-mainy for same reason as McLoki. But I love to see the excursions on the sub--I let the grills breathe once in awhile. Last time I took the grills off, I forgot to put them back on--My boys found them and decided to have some fun and one of them was broken in two places :eek::eek: :mad: I think they were trying to use it as a ramp to climb onto the couch. You can't knotice it when its on, but --well at least they KNOW not to touch the drivers.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • shadowofnight
    shadowofnight Posts: 2,735
    edited November 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Shadow -- what kind of speaker is that?
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Audio Concepts Inc.LV and Titans?

    Yup...Audio Concepts...subs long gone but I still had 2 pairs of the LV sat's and just gave one pair away to my buddy that got my second pair of SRS's.
    The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,562
    edited November 2008
    Grills on, always.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited November 2008
    Me too...

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Braddles
    Braddles Posts: 228
    edited November 2008
    Kids up = grill on.

    Kids in bed = grills off.
    2 Channel
    Amp - Jas Audio Bravo 3.2 set
    Power Cord - Tunami GPX
    CDP - Marantz cd6002 - Audio gd Ref 5 Dac
    Speakers - Tekton Lore,Polk Audio RTA11tl completely refreshed.
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited November 2008
    Grills always on mostly because of my 4 year old. When I had ported speakers I found Polly Pocket stuff stuffed in the port. And when she is watching TV laying on the floor she likes to build forts and put her feet on stuff like drivers. When the grill are on my speakers are invisible and when the grills are off they are something to mess with.

    On 1 specific album "Wilco Sky Blue Sky" I listen with the grills off because the HF is so laid back on both my CD and 180G vinyl that taking the grills off helps a bit.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited November 2008
    Grills always on. No reason to have them off and they were designed to be in place when in use.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2008
    transpondent is the word of the day.

    RT1
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited November 2008
    Can't remove the grills from my speakers. If I did, I'd have no speakers!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I noticed that with the grilles on, the speakers sounded a bit muffled

    Are these the speakers you say you'll never change? Have you listened to muffled sound all these years? You should get out and see what's out there more often......:rolleyes: :D
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited November 2008
    ...did you ever see the Meadowlark Kestrel design? The grille consist of just grille clothe that stretches over drivers and slips into a channel on the sides of the drivers mounting board....Wonder why more speakers aren't designed this way? No hard surfaces extending in front of drivers.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited November 2008
    Oh, and I keep mine always on, with the exception of the Danes; they look too beautiful to cover them.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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