Noob Speaker/Subwoofer Grill Question

[kings35]

I'm a noob when it comes to audio but does removing the grill make the sound better? I see a lot of people do it but is it just for looks or does it improve sound somehow?

[kingofgrills]

It seriously depends on your own ability to hear. There are some people who can distinguish between having grills on and off. I, probably am not one of them.

I do have a friend, who is an audiophile dealer and actually blind. He got me into all of this, and he has the most amazing hearing I have encountered. I tested him repeatedly on whether or not the grills were on or off, and he was never wrong in his assessment. He did it with multiple sets of speakers too.

[kareface]

The manufacturer will have a better idea if the grill should be on or off for best reproduction. Some recommend one over the other.

[LordoftheRings]

...But for a subwoofer, it certainly don't matter.

[ScuseMe]

Sonus Faber advised me to keep them on. They said that the grill material is designed to be transparent to sound, and keeping the grills on would not affect my enjoyment.

Since they made my speakers and don't have a vested interest in selling grill covers, I agree with them

[kareface]

Sonus Faber makes amazing speakers, you're a lucky man. The next pair I'm building is based on one of their designs.

[LordoftheRings]

Also, pretty much all Paradigm speakers are designed to be listen to with the grills in place.
It is an integral part of the sound design.
- And some of my own speakers are designed with grills to smooth off sound' diffractions,
with inside curved wood borders, from the grill itself.
And other speakers have those round edges from the loudspeaker's box itself, again to help sound' diffractions from their corners, and therefore can be listen to without their grills.

* Furthermore, some speakers, depending on their degree of toeing, and room's first reflections, can benefit or not from having the grills on.
And the on-axis as well the off-axis from in-room frequency response of their tweeters can benefit or not from having the grils on or not.
- I guess when a speaker's manufacturer does not mention this in its litterature, then it's all about experimentation in your own room.

But from my understanding (from the OP's very first post), it just don't matter at all as ALL SUBWOOFERS are concerned. Low audio frequencies are immune (impregnable) to their front grill's effects.

[eric oc]

Kareface wow what a system and part if it hand built. How do those speakers sound?

[kareface]

Originally Posted by eric oc

Kareface wow what a system and part if it hand built. How do those speakers sound?

They sound awesome, the only reason I'm building another pair is for a nice 2.2 system. Thanks for the comment, lol. Check back in 2 or 3 days, I should have my next acoustics project finished. I'm pretty happy with how it's coming so far.

[ScuseMe]

Originally Posted by kareface

Sonus Faber makes amazing speakers, you're a lucky man. The next pair I'm building is based on one of their designs.

Thanks

You're even luckier, having the skill to create such speakers as you did. I wish I had the same.

What SF design are you using for your next project?

[kareface]

The stradivari. Here's an example of a finished DIY pair:

[ScuseMe]

Originally Posted by kareface

The stradivari. Here's an example of a finished DIY pair:

The Stradivari are fantastic speakers. I had the priviledge to demo them before my purchase of my GPH's. A tad () over my budget, but great to listen to, nonetheless.

Those DIY ones are beautiful; a work of art. Franco Serblin would be proud of the effort. I wish you well on the project.

[eric oc]

Originally Posted by ScuseMe

The Stradivari are fantastic speakers. I had the priviledge to demo them before my purchase of my GPH's. A tad () over my budget, but great to listen to, nonetheless.

Those DIY ones are beautiful; a work of art. Franco Serblin would be proud of the effort. I wish you well on the project.

Beautiful DIY. HERE im all excited about getting some Monitor Audio in about a year and now i see this. Should have paid more attention in wood shop. Makes me wonder about my brother inlaw he has like a full wood shop(permitted as an extra garage) in his back yard. I may have to talk him into helping me on a project like this. I'd call it bonding time.

[kareface]

Thanks, I'm not gonna buy the drivers till I know I can build the cabinet. However, if all goes well I'll be starting work on those speakers over winter break.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by kareface

The stradivari. Here's an example of a finished DIY pair:

Originally Posted by kareface

Thanks, I'm not gonna buy the drivers till I know I can build the cabinet. However, if all goes well I'll be starting work on those speakers over winter break.

That is a fantastic project! Those are simply gorgeous! You have my permission, and full freedom!

[kareface]

Good, otherwise I'd have to choose another project and I really had my heart set on that one.

[LordoftheRings]

Roger that!