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WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor)and Speakers

How important is the fabric on speakers to their sound? If I changed the covers of my speakers to a more decorative fabric to please my girlfriend, would that really be a big deal? Obviously, I wouldn't cover them with wool blankets, but would, for example, a light silk really sound that much different than whatever the manufacturers use? Given that many audiophiles think that the shape of their AC cords dramatically affect the sound, it is interesting that no one seems to discuss this topic. Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
cwlondon
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,695 posts
 
Thanks Dragon. The Vandersteen fabric is not very transparent (visualy), I wonder what the trick of the weave is? I have witnessed people using "whatever" replacement fabric in the 70's on KLH and AR speakers with not so good sonic results. I wonder if there is a DIY speaker forum with info on the subject?
john_l
782 posts
 
Interpreting womens taste is extremely dangerous, and stupid to attempt, but I think small, well finished and unnoticable are some key ordered factors. The women in my family have commented on how furniturally acceptable my Audio Physic Virgo speakers are. They hated my vandersteens 3A's. Another area that you might want to look at is distance from wall. AP's need to be out a bit to sound good (easily slideable). British speakers: Rogers and Linns tend to be small, and sound very good even when placed right against a wall (their backs). I've never heard them, but NHT's are supposed to be quite good, and are made to have their backs right against a wall. A little big, but they might fly if placed on either side of a television.
prs123
58 posts
 
Yes, grilles make a difference! On some speakers more than others, as some are engineered for sound with the grilles on(very few), and the actual fabric used may or may not be acoustically transparent. If the grilles are not detachable, then make sure you don't kill your sound by putting any old cloth over your drivers. Also, try to make your significant other part of the buying process in the first place, and avoid many problems. Not to mention, audio enthusiast or not, another set of ears can't hurt, and you can educate those ears to be a great asset, if she is not very experienced in audio comparisons. Heck, you may even want to say nothing and get her uninfluenced(by you at least) opinion on what she is hearing- you may get some real insight. I know I have.
3728slingshot
102 posts
 
We can all guess ... but the truth is in a trial. You can try to order spare grilles from the manufacturer of your speakers. Cover them with diferent materials and LISTEN. I'd be interested in what your ears tell you.
rfj
43 posts
 
The bass list probably has some advice. Being a DIY speaker builder, my experience is the refraction from the grill frame is the bigger culprit that the cloth itself. IE the speaker sounds the with grill frame with and without cloth. So I remove the grills when I listen for a slightly better sound. I would say if they are removable cover them in whatever (to gain domestic bliss) and then remove when listening. Now if I could only figure a way to hide cables! Any advice would be appreciated.
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