Speaker Grille Cloth

dthomps
dthomps Posts: 352
edited July 2003 in Speakers
A pair of Monitor 5's I got about a month ago is in need of some help, if any of you recall my previous thread. It is a rare occasion where I actually have a *little* bit of money and nothing in dire need of eating away at my precious meager funds.
I thought about doing something simple like replacing the cloth on the grilles of these Polk’s, but wanted to ask first if there is a recommendation of where to get the material? Just so it is as close as possible to that of the original Polk stuff.
I know Radio Shack sells some and I wouldn’t have to pay/wait for shipping- but is this OK quality stuff?
Thanks a lot.
Mike
Post edited by dthomps on
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Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,429
    edited June 2003
    Dude, call Polk Audio CS - and order a grill. Its like 25 bucks.....(if they still sell them)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dthomps
    dthomps Posts: 352
    edited June 2003
    Hey Trey
    Thanks for the tip, but a 36" x 70" piece from Parts Express is only $6.90 plus shipping, and the grilles from Polk are about $18.00 a piece.
    I was going for the affordability and I also just wanted the project. (Now that I am unemployed and all, nothing to do :D)
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  • fgr41
    fgr41 Posts: 432
    edited June 2003
    Welcome to the world of cheap home improvement projects, AKA getting RIFed.
    out of work since 3/02
    Front
    Polk RT800i (BI-wired)
    Rear
    Polk RT600i
    Center
    Polk CS400i (BI-wired)
    Sub
    SVS 25-31PCi (22Hz tuning port)... it's SubHuman
    Receiver
    YAMAHA RX-V1400
    TV
    Mitsubishi WT-46807 HDTV
    HD receiver
    T i V o HR10-250
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  • gidrah
    gidrah Posts: 3,049
    edited June 2003
    I got a roll from RS awile back. Unfortunately I haven't opened it yet so I can't tell you whether or not it's any good. I know it's a stretch material and comes in a 32"x36" roll and usually runs about $10.00. I picked mine up on close-out so they may not be carrying it for much longer.
    Make it Funky! :)
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  • burdette
    burdette Posts: 1,194
    edited June 2003
    I think if PE is selling it as grill cloth, it is suitable for grill cloth (i.e. sonically transparent). Ask on the PE forum if you're curious. I've found RS to be quite hit-and-miss on their audio stuff. I don't think they have audio or speaker DIY people doing their buying.

    If you're so worried about matching, just do both speakers.

    I'll be curious to see how you do it. I've made grills out of wood, and I stapled the cloth on. The 5jr+ I have have plastic grills, and the material is melted on.

    It has been awhile, but I bought the cloth at a local fabric shop. I just looked around and held up possibilities to the light. The really open material sort of 'disappears' when you hold it up to a bright light. I just had to be sure it was meaty enough to hold staples.
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  • TonyPTX
    TonyPTX Posts: 545
    edited June 2003
    I bought some RS grille cloth a while back when I had to rebuild the entire grilles (frame and all) for a pair of JBL speakers. Personally, I think the product is fine. As for it being sonically transparent, well I never had the original speaker grilles to compare them to, however I tend to like the sound better with the grille on.

    PS, I think I bought one roll at RS for $8 and it covered two 36" floor standers...
    Damn....8 lines...I've gotta put my sig on a diet now....
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,505
    edited July 2003
    i went to Rag Shop (a craft store in norther NJ. sell fabric by the yard. found a black fabric, a little stretchy, could see a good deal of light through it (dont use opaque for obvious reasons). I must say it looks and sounds great. My wife and I have 2 cats, hence the reason for me occasionally needing to recloth my speakers. I noticed no sound difference with grills on and off, so I'll say it worked like a charm. pretty cheap too.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Wiim Ultra. Jolida CD player. Fiio k11 R2R DAC, XTZ as300 Edge amp. Focal Cobalt 826 towers,

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Classe Audio 5 Preamp, DIY1200as2 Icepower Amp x 2, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E70 Velvet DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Polk LSi15's with MM840 woofer upgrade.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Schitt Saga 2 preamp, Topping a90 headphone amp, Mac Mini, Audiophonics Hypex NC252m amp, Polk r200's
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