Fabric for Speaker Grill Cloth <-- suggestions?

jaencer · 7th July 2009, 05:19 PM

Title says it all.

I don't know of any stores that sell professional speaker grill cloth, but there must be some fabric that sounds/costs/looks just as good/better than the commercial stuff. The question is what?

My ideas are window/door screen material, or silk, or something... cotton is probably the worst. Something synthetic like very thin polyester might be best. How do metal screens compare (considering sound only)?

The cloth doesn't have to (but can be) be opaque, or rigid, or particularly sexy. Just needs to not sound like there is a grill cloth.

Pano · 7th July 2009, 05:35 PM

I've used "silk" that was meant for the surrounds of picture frames. I think it is actually rayon, most of it.

This can be found in most fabric stores in a wide varity of colors and textures. You want the lightest, most open you can get. It does not look like typical grill cloth, which is nice. It seems to have a little attenuation at the very top, so you have to live with it, or EQ it. But it's pretty transparent thru most of the audio range.

Just an idea for a different, and perhaps prettier, way of doing it.

sdclc126 · 7th July 2009, 06:56 PM

If you want something that is very transparent both sonicly and visually you might consider trying black fiberglass screen door netting from your local Home Depot or equivalent.

You need to get it very taught because any little flaw will show, but you will get both a "finished" look to the speaker with virtually no "muffling" of the high frequencies and you will still be able to see the drivers (a personal preference) - gives it kind of a techno/industrial look.

P.S. - consider offsetting the fabric 45 degrees to get a diamond pattern.

planet10 · 7th July 2009, 07:08 PM

Go to a fabric store and ask for double knit... if you find the right stuff you can stretch it in both directions of the weave.

dave

Pano · 7th July 2009, 08:12 PM

you might want to edit that, Dave. Your typo resulted in a censor. LOL.

(another mod fixed it)

ScottG · 7th July 2009, 08:39 PM

Super-sized "shear" pantyhose.

How you obtain them.. well, that's up to you.

DougSmith · 7th July 2009, 08:48 PM

In case it helps, here are a couple of links for cloth you can order on line...

Parts Express

Meniscus Audio

I have tried the Parts Express material and it works fine (no audible difference with grills on or off to my ears - with my old Advents). I ordered some of the stuff sold by Meniscus Audio to compare (my guess is they are the same polyester material, but time will tell). Bedsheets apparently work fine also.

-Doug

sdclc126 · 7th July 2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScottG
Super-sized "shear" pantyhose.

How you obtain them.. well, that's up to you.

Oooh I'm thinkin' fishnets...

Pano · 7th July 2009, 09:16 PM

I once found a brand of fishnet stockings called "Music Legs." (no kidding) Those should be perfect!

sdclc126 · 7th July 2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by panomaniac
I once found a brand of fishnet stockings called "Music Legs." (no kidding) Those should be perfect!

How did they look on you?

7th July 2009, 05:19 PM	#1
jaencer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	Fabric for Speaker Grill Cloth <-- suggestions? Title says it all. I don't know of any stores that sell professional speaker grill cloth, but there must be some fabric that sounds/costs/looks just as good/better than the commercial stuff. The question is what? My ideas are window/door screen material, or silk, or something... cotton is probably the worst. Something synthetic like very thin polyester might be best. How do metal screens compare (considering sound only)? The cloth doesn't have to (but can be) be opaque, or rigid, or particularly sexy. Just needs to not sound like there is a grill cloth.

7th July 2009, 05:35 PM	#2
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SW Florida	I've used "silk" that was meant for the surrounds of picture frames. I think it is actually rayon, most of it. This can be found in most fabric stores in a wide varity of colors and textures. You want the lightest, most open you can get. It does not look like typical grill cloth, which is nice. It seems to have a little attenuation at the very top, so you have to live with it, or EQ it. But it's pretty transparent thru most of the audio range. Just an idea for a different, and perhaps prettier, way of doing it. __________________ Take the Speaker Voltage Test!

7th July 2009, 06:56 PM	#3
sdclc126 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	If you want something that is very transparent both sonicly and visually you might consider trying black fiberglass screen door netting from your local Home Depot or equivalent. You need to get it very taught because any little flaw will show, but you will get both a "finished" look to the speaker with virtually no "muffling" of the high frequencies and you will still be able to see the drivers (a personal preference) - gives it kind of a techno/industrial look. P.S. - consider offsetting the fabric 45 degrees to get a diamond pattern. __________________ Soft Dome

7th July 2009, 07:08 PM	#4
planet10 frugal-phile(tm) diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, NA, Sol III	Go to a fabric store and ask for double knit... if you find the right stuff you can stretch it in both directions of the weave. dave __________________ Stay safe. Stay home. Respect the 2m bubble.

7th July 2009, 08:12 PM	#5
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SW Florida	you might want to edit that, Dave. Your typo resulted in a censor. LOL. (another mod fixed it) __________________ Take the Speaker Voltage Test!


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7th July 2009, 08:39 PM	#6
ScottG diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: US	Super-sized "shear" pantyhose. How you obtain them.. well, that's up to you. __________________ perspective is everything

7th July 2009, 08:48 PM	#7
DougSmith diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008	In case it helps, here are a couple of links for cloth you can order on line... Parts Express Meniscus Audio I have tried the Parts Express material and it works fine (no audible difference with grills on or off to my ears - with my old Advents). I ordered some of the stuff sold by Meniscus Audio to compare (my guess is they are the same polyester material, but time will tell). Bedsheets apparently work fine also. -Doug

7th July 2009, 09:16 PM	#9
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: SW Florida	I once found a brand of fishnet stockings called "Music Legs." (no kidding) Those should be perfect! __________________ Take the Speaker Voltage Test!

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