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Speaker Grill Cloth, On or Off

I was wondering how many members use their speakers with grill cloth removed? I realize that speakers may have been voiced/designed by manufaturer with cloth in place, but this is just another variable that effects sound. I do it both ways and seem to get slightly more detail with cloth removed. I also wondered if dust becomes a problem with cloth removed, especially in tweeter.

Probably any home with children will have cloth in place, just too tempting to touch that shiny tweeter dome.
Anyway what are members approaches to this.
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brauser
525 posts
 
I have the Dunlavy SC-5(s) with Audio Research electronics and without question the soundstage is more tightly focused and dynamic with the grills off. I am careful, however, to keep the grills on at all times other than when I'm doing some concentrated listening.
danvetc
527 posts
 
My Harbeth C7 have a "Supergrill" designed to stay on. (In fact, it is a bitch to get them off and peek under the hood.) I, like Dekay, tend to get fixated on beautiful round things, if I am not careful.

Are we cool now, Brittany?
paulwp
585 posts
 
The Harbeths are voiced with the grills on, so that's the way I listen. AND Martin Colloms said they sound better that way. Yet, some people prefer them with grills off. So, it all depends. Try it both ways and see which you prefer. If you have a live room, probably better to leave them on. If you have a lot of soft furniture and curtains or sit a long way from your speakers, you might prefer the grills off.
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
Landmarkbldrs, just to let you know. Great post, very sensable and well thought out.
phild
603 posts
 
I have Merlin VSM-SE's and I always leave the grill off. There's a noticeable difference. I think Merlin recommends leaving them off too. They still sound great with the grill in place, but they lose a bit of high-end and immediacy. These speakers use the Esotar tweeter, so the high-end is very smooth.
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