Grills on or off?

245

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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    BottomFeeder wrote: »
    Mine are usually on, until I sit down to do some real listening. Then I like to take them off. My speakers are absolutely gorgeous and taking the grills off reveals the beautiful wood. I like's 'em nekkid!

    Same here. They're on all the time unless I'm listening to music. I love the way my 7A's look...so I like to be able to see them. I typically leave the grilles on when I'm watching movies though, because I have the lights off, and you can't see them anyway.
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,839
    edited February 2009
    You guys that take your grills off when you listen, try closing your eyes instead of staring at the drivers. You'll probably find yourselves more involved with the music.
    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."

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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    I usually do have my eyes closed...but when I open them I like to see my drivers.

    Currently a big deciding factor in the grilles being off though is the fact that all the clips on one of the speakers are broken off...so it won't stay on. I can lean it against the speaker and it'll stay...but I've noticed a difference in sound with the grille on it like that, because it's not straight, but leaning against it. Once I get my new clips the grilles will probably be staying on most of the time. Hopefully those new clips from Polk should be here in the next week or so.
    The nirvana inducer-
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    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • TG Meat
    TG Meat Posts: 159
    edited February 2009
    I think there may be a slight sound inprovement, I feel exposed parts may interest touching by my daughter and her friends. If I had no kids and associated traffic, I would go grill-less, but for now I will keep them on.
    Anthem D2v
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  • scottnbnj
    scottnbnj Posts: 709
    edited February 2009
    messiah wrote: »
    ...for the life of me can't think of how they could actually IMPROVE the sound.

    it's not just the fabric that makes a difference, there is also the grille frame. the frame changes how sound travels across and leaves the front baffle and edge of the speaker cabinet.

    when i have everything set up so that reflections from the room and its contents are not strong at the listening position, i almost always prefer the grilles off, mostly because i usually prefer a very sharp image. one drawback of a sharp image is that it makes flaws from, say, room reflections much more obvious. some times when i notice these problems, grilles on can soften the image and change how the speaker interacts with the room enough to hide and/or correct these problems.

    )
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2009
    scottnbnj wrote: »
    it's not just the fabric that makes a difference, there is also the grille frame. the frame changes how sound travels across and leaves the front baffle and edge of the speaker cabinet.

    when i have everything set up so that reflections from the room and its contents are not strong at the listening position, i almost always prefer the grilles off, mostly because i usually prefer a very sharp image. one drawback of a sharp image is that it makes flaws from, say, room reflections much more obvious. some times when i notice these problems, grilles on can soften the image and change how the speaker interacts with the room enough to hide and/or correct these problems.

    )

    Very Interesting point:cool:
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2009
    I usually keep my grills on because I'm unrealistically neurotic about the effects of dust on drivers? And I haven't quite figured out how to 'safely' remove that dust that 'always' settles and coats all your drivers, at least in my home, after a few weeks!

    I can't imagine that extra dust is a good thing? But as I've said I may just be pulling my leg on this one.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    I always take my grills off when I am doing critical listening. If I am just milling around, I leave them on.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited February 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    I usually keep my grills on because I'm unrealistically neurotic about the effects of dust on drivers? And I haven't quite figured out how to 'safely' remove that dust that 'always' settles and coats all your drivers, at least in my home, after a few weeks!

    I can't imagine that extra dust is a good thing? But as I've said I may just be pulling my leg on this one.

    cnh

    It's odd that you should mention that. I've been wondering about the best way to clean the actual drivers on my Monitor 7's, and I got a few recommendations for using Windex. I finally tried it yesterday, and it worked great. I was amazed how much dust and dirt got lifted off of them.

    I noticed after cleaning them that they actually sounded a little better. It wasn't a night and day difference by any means, but the mids warmed up noticeably. I wasn't really expecting there to be a difference in sound quality after cleaning them, but I wasn't complaining...lol Cheap mod I guess.:p
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • okiesaki
    okiesaki Posts: 36
    edited February 2009
    I like them off. My wife likes them on. I rule the house ,so they stay off untill she get's home :rolleyes:
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  • bsoko2
    bsoko2 Posts: 1,449
    edited February 2009
    okiesaki wrote: »
    I like them off. My wife likes them on. I rule the house ,so they stay off untill she get's home :rolleyes:

    Yeh, I run things around my houe too! The vaccumm cleaner, dishwasher, washer machine, and anything else that she wants done.

    Bill
    My 2012 HT Room - http://www.avsforum.com/t/1416077/bsoko2-new-ht-june-2012
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2009
    off on Taylos monitors,,SDA's=on
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited February 2009
    okiesaki wrote: »
    I like them off. My wife likes them on. I rule the house ,so they stay off untill she get's home :rolleyes:
    bsoko2 wrote: »
    Yeh, I run things around my houe too! The vaccumm cleaner, dishwasher, washer machine, and anything else that she wants done.

    Bill

    It takes a big man to admit who really wears the pants in the family. I too have learned it the hard way though.;)
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  • ctrulock
    ctrulock Posts: 73
    edited February 2009
    Dust? Your drivers should be shaking the dust off due to mucho loud playing. Just kidding. I like my lsi9 covers off b/c i think it lets the tweeter come through slightly better.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2009
    What about speakers that dont use grills???
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited March 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    It's odd that you should mention that. I've been wondering about the best way to clean the actual drivers on my Monitor 7's, and I got a few recommendations for using Windex. I finally tried it yesterday, and it worked great. I was amazed how much dust and dirt got lifted off of them.

    I noticed after cleaning them that they actually sounded a little better. It wasn't a night and day difference by any means, but the mids warmed up noticeably. I wasn't really expecting there to be a difference in sound quality after cleaning them, but I wasn't complaining...lol Cheap mod I guess.:p

    I use an Air Blaster to clean my speakers, did this a few times already and zero harm done. Of course you dont put the blaster on top of the speaker, hold a few inches aways and blast. Works well.

    http://digitalinnovations.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DI&Product_Code=3010300&Category_Code=Electronics_Cleaning
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited March 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    It's odd that you should mention that. I've been wondering about the best way to clean the actual drivers on my Monitor 7's, and I got a few recommendations for using Windex. I finally tried it yesterday, and it worked great. I was amazed how much dust and dirt got lifted off of them.

    I don't have any problem with using Windex on the black finish of my LSi15s, but I would not use it on the speaker cones. If I did clean the speakers a damp cloth lightly applied would be my choice. Maybe I will try that this weekend since the grills have been off for ages.
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  • ment
    ment Posts: 13
    edited March 2009
    mine's off ..... sound better for me
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  • wz2p7j
    wz2p7j Posts: 840
    edited March 2009
    It took a while to find some speaks our cats liked and wouldn't scratch the grills. They ended up being Polks - everyone happy. :D:D Chris
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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited March 2009
    I have the RTIA5's in Cherry and I like to look at them so the grills are off.
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • CowboyRJB2
    CowboyRJB2 Posts: 58
    edited March 2009
    leave the grilles off for a few months and then try to clean the dust and lint off the drivers... leaving grilles on is better
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2009
    CowboyRJB2 wrote: »
    leave the grilles off for a few months and then try to clean the dust and lint off the drivers... leaving grilles on is better

    Which way sounds better to you?
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2009
    Sherardp wrote: »
    I use an Air Blaster to clean my speakers, did this a few times already and zero harm done. Of course you dont put the blaster on top of the speaker, hold a few inches aways and blast. Works well.

    http://digitalinnovations.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DI&Product_Code=3010300&Category_Code=Electronics_Cleaning

    Thanks for the suggestion...that looks like it would work pretty well. Doesn't cost very much either...I might have to pick one of those up.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited March 2009
    I keep my drivers behind bars!! ;)
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited March 2009
    Wow, those are pretty cool!
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,484
    edited March 2009
    I have no preference either way but occasionally like watching my SDA mid drivers dancing to the music
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

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  • renowilliams
    renowilliams Posts: 920
    edited March 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    I keep my drivers behind bars!! ;)


    What crime did they commit??
    "They're always talking about my drinking, but never mention my thirst" Oscar Wilde


    Pre-Amp: Anthem AVM 20
    Amp: Carver TFM-35
    Amp: Rotel RB-870BX
    Fronts : SDA 1B w/ RDO-194s
    T.V.:Plasma TC-P54G25
    Bluray: Oppo BDP-93
    Speaker Cables: MIT Terminater
    Interconnect Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1isonic
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited March 2009
    renowilliams wrote: »
    What crime did they commit??

    Beating up too many other speakers. Can't seem to find a fair fight!!! :D
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited March 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Beating up too many other speakers. Can't seem to find a fair fight!!! :D

    Thats a good-1:D:D:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,057
    edited March 2009
    Grills off! Much more bad-**** looking.

    Get a Swiffer duster to clean the drivers (works great on the piano black too).
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
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