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grilles on or off the speakers??

As most of you are aware, there are a number of speaker manufacturers that claim a "specially designed" grille for their speakers, that prevent edge diffraction and whatever and do no recommend they be removed.

Since no women were inviting me to the Caribbean, and having nothing better to do, I decided what the heck and put the grilles back on my speakers. I anticipated no effect, but they sounded different. They went on and off several times, and there is clearly an auditory diffence...not necessarily better or worse either way...just different

SO, what do you think, grilles on or off, and are specially designed grilles snake oil or science??

Thanks
rsasso
rsasso OP
39 posts
 
Let's muddy the waters even more. When I first took the grilles off my speakers (and this was after having them for quite a long time), I found foam plugs in the four (2 per speaker) vent ports at the bottom of the speakers. These are apparently used for shipping.
Taking those out, I found the speakers too "twangy" and singing voices a bit shrill. The bass lost some of its tightness, and the soundstage became diffused. Grilles on, grilles off...still not right.
So I jammed the foam plugs back in, and all is well. They sound great again.
Comments??
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
07-10-09: Rsasso
So I jammed the foam plugs back in, and all is well. They sound great again.
Comments??
The plugs aren't just for shipping; they're also for helping match the speakers' bass output to the room, and change the amount of bass damping (cone excursion control). Evidently leaving the plugs in place creates a happy match between your speakers and your listening room.

When the plugs are removed, it changes the tonal balance, the room loading, and creates more wave energy that could also disrupt the soundstage. Removing port plugs *definitely* loosens the bass by reducing the damping, which makes the fundamentals sluggish with more overhang, which would influence the specificity of the soundstage.
rsasso OP
39 posts
 
To Johnny53

THANKS! I had actually spoken to the speaker distributor, who told me they were for shipping purposes only and should "definitely be taken out". I thought I was losing my ear for music entirely. James Taylor sounded like Mickey Mouse and James Blunt was a shrill little girl. I felt a little silly thinking these speakers only sound good with packing material stuffed in them. Your explanation makes perfect sense.
By the way, have you seen such a thing (provided foam plugs) in any other speakers for the purposes you mentioned?....because I have not.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
My HSU sub has double ports and comes with a foam plug. The sub can be used 2 ways.
Maximum extension and Maximum output. There is also a backpanel switch which should match the plug configuration.
If the plug is to be installed for shipping, it may be to limit woofer cone movement and possibility for damage? Unless it's open box, I can't imagine anything crawling in there!
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