A small, low-amp electrified grid made from chicken wire (recycled from an old psychology experiment with rats), extending about 9 inches around the base of the speaker, worked very well with our cat. One good zap is usually all it takes (grin).....
Now, before the SPCA or some irate cat lover contacts me, I'll share what I really did. During the day, when away at work, I put long cloth socks over the speakers. Then, in the evening when I was home, I kept a small, hand-held vacuum nearby, rigged to blow rather than suck. When the cat started to investigate the speaker, I'd turn the vacuum on and give the cat a good air blast. Definitely did the trick -- the cat has never scratched the speakers, and she's now too old to bother (kinda like me, actually...) Of course, the cat has a phobia even today about vacuum cleaners -- heads for the hills when anyone vacuums the living room carpets -- but I consider that a small price to pay (heh, heh, heh). All in all, this thread may offer some of the best arguments I've heard for owning a dog...
Now, before the SPCA or some irate cat lover contacts me, I'll share what I really did. During the day, when away at work, I put long cloth socks over the speakers. Then, in the evening when I was home, I kept a small, hand-held vacuum nearby, rigged to blow rather than suck. When the cat started to investigate the speaker, I'd turn the vacuum on and give the cat a good air blast. Definitely did the trick -- the cat has never scratched the speakers, and she's now too old to bother (kinda like me, actually...) Of course, the cat has a phobia even today about vacuum cleaners -- heads for the hills when anyone vacuums the living room carpets -- but I consider that a small price to pay (heh, heh, heh). All in all, this thread may offer some of the best arguments I've heard for owning a dog...