Are Metal Speaker Grilles an Issue?

Another Magico user here.  I don't agree they sound the same on or off, but agree that I have mine in place 95% of the time.  Took them off last night as a treat and was rewarded for it. 

I have the Studio Electric M-5's. Like the extra protection and cannot tell the difference in sound with or without.  

Every grille is an issue. It’s a physical object directly in front of the driver.

@mapman

Yet every ATC user (including me) and dealer recommends keeping them off.

There are lots of speaker measurements out there out grills on and off. Just have to look it up. Some grills are terrible and other are transparent. They can add a bit of diffraction. Cloth grills drop the highs about say 8k a bit. Like 0.5db for example. 

I think some speakers use the grills for tuning, such as the metal grills on the Paradigm Persona lineup.

My Yamaha NS5000 have metal grills, and they only serve as protection. 

I guess it depends on the speaker.

I doubt it’s an issue if done right. 

Not an issue.

for example : ATC is another very high-end UK speaker manufacturer who has metal grills

That's helpful to know - appreciate the feedback!

I've tried with every speaker I've had recently to hear a difference tween grills on or off, fabric grillls on Von Schweikert VR4jr and Paradigm Studio 60's. No difference to my ears (and I can hear differences between interconnects and power cables).

Currently have Magico A3's with metal grills, same thing, sounds the same grills on or off.Low volume or high.

Just my .02