Baffle materials/finish- does it alter the sound?

[Bill poster]

For example Sonus Faber use that faux leather finish, Burmester use a shiny metal cover, Magico do something similar in a matt metal finish, Rockport use a felt around the units..

What the best material on a baffle? hard/soft etc, does it make any real difference?

[18Hurts]

I've seen all sorts of things

My 1990's era Infinities have a smooth waveguide plate that mounts over the entire front bezel with 4" midranges and 1" dome tweeter so the front bezel is very smooth. The side mounted 8" woofer does not use a waveguide since it is used under 300 Hz.

Rounded edges prevent diffraction of sound so a round over bit on the speaker bezel helps. I've seen felt/foam used on speakers from JBLs to RAAL ribbons so it probably does something. One of my planned tweaks is to use wool felt rings to cover my midwoofer mounting bolts in an attempt to prevent diffraction. Might not work but felt is cheap and the grill is going to hide it. The inside of my bezel has been rounded off to prevent the same issue--round over bits and flush mounting the drivers works well.

I always wondered if you surface mount the drivers then cover the face of the bezel with 1/2" wool felt--would that achieve the same thing?

[Bill poster]

Those RAAL foam things look a right dog's dinner, even if they are somehow an intentional part of the design.