The finishing touch: Speaker grills

[Emprov]

Well, my first DIY speaker project is pretty much done (Wayne's Budget Home Theaters) except for the speaker grills. What's commonly used for the frames? I was thinking about using some 1/2" MDF, is there something different that you guys would recommend?

 

[Audiophilenoob]

Well, my first DIY speaker project is pretty much done (Wayne's Budget Home Theaters) except for the speaker grills. What's commonly used for the frames? I was thinking about using some 1/2" MDF, is there something different that you guys would recommend?

if you have any welding skills I would recommend that

 

[Emprov]

Never cut metal with fire before but I've always wanted to get into it. I think that my wife would kill me if I told her that I wanted to buy a welding rig though. It's gotta be wood....at least for now, I'm not really the type to stick with anything for too long (wife excluded )

 

[Audiophilenoob]

what about a PVC board material? like say .5" PVC stock in a 4x8 sheet? should be less prone to breakage than MDF unless you go really thick/wide on the MDF

 

[RCBandwidth]

Speaker Grills howto

Some good info on grills for you.....Bob C.


http://www.humanspeakers.com/howto/grill-cloth.htm

 

[chris ma]

IMHO

Soft pine strip may be more suitable and easier to use with staples..

 

[Mr Evil]

I would avoid using frames completely if possible, since they cause diffraction at high frequencies. There are other simple methods of attaching a grill, e.g. one ingenious method I have seen described involved a groove around all four sides behind the front baffle and an elasticated grill which grips the groove.

 

[RCBandwidth]

I agree with the Diffraction argument..but where is the gentleman going to find the elastic grill?...Do you have a link to this method so he can explore it. Bob C.

 

[Emprov]

I would avoid using frames completely if possible, since they cause diffraction at high frequencies.

I'm with you here but Wayne's design called for the tweeters to be surface mounted, they stick out approx 1/4-3/8".

 

[chris ma]

Elastic grills? Do you mean stockings/tights/pantyholes... like the bank robbers used to cover their front panels on the heads?

 

[Vikash]

too late now probably, but magnets might have been useful here...

 

[BobEllis]

Re: Speaker Grills howto

Some good info on grills for you.....Bob C.


http://www.humanspeakers.com/howto/grill-cloth.htm

I've used a similar method, although using hot melt glue. Wear gloves or get burned. Staples work, but I've found them difficult to get the cloth smooth. Another option is to rout a groove in the frame to accept screen retaining strips - make it easy to change grille cloth if your decor needs change. thanks to Lou Lung for that idea - google on "lungster"

regarding the diffraction issue, I attached 2-1/2" lengths of 3/4" dowel the frame before putting on the cloth. Sort of like a short table. Plastic grill mounts are in the ends of these "legs". I used a 3/8" roundover on all edges. This puts the cloth 3-1/4" from the tweeter. The result is a barely perceptible difference between grills on and off. On is suitable for all but the most critical listening. Not my idea, I think it was Lynn Olson's.

 

[sdclc126]

http://www.humanspeakers.com/howto/grill-cloth.htm

Hey that's exactly how I've built my grills - never even read that site.

Although "the best grill is no grill" for best sound, many people like them because they give a more finished look to a speaker and blend in better with the home decor - we're just used to seeing them that way. I don't blame purists for deleting them though - especially with some really nice looking drivers - why hide them?

Anyway, I built mine with 1/2" quarter round pine moulding with 1/4" particle board as a base. I first cut the board to the outside dimensions of the frame I wanted, then cut out the inside to 1/2" - this gave me a strong, flat base to glue strips of the moulding to. I cut the moulding square, and bevelled the corners by hand with a dremel tool. I sanded them smooth and filled imperfections with wood putty. Then it was just black paint and attaching the cloth as in the link above.

Sidebar - I actually use small strips of high quality velcro to attach the grilles to the speaker - not as neat as pegs but oh so easy! Incidentally I get all my materials at Home Depot.

I don't know if this should be a new thread, but maybe some of you can contribute other ideas you've had about non-cloth type grilles, like metal screens or very thin vertical bars, etc. These would look great if properly done, leaving the drivers visible and hopefully not compromising the sound with diffractions, ringing, etc. If you've done anything like this it would be great to see photos, etc. - maybe posted on other threads that you know of. I'm going to do a search too. Thanks!

 

[roddyama]

I used 3/8 MDF and these

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=260-367

The grill cloth I got from EBay

This works well for me since only my bass drivers are in boxes. In your case the tweeters baffle (and the few inches around it) can be extended 3/8 inch beyond the main baffle and a matching cutout made in the grill.

Radius the edges.
Use foam to isolate the grill surface for the baffle.