Speaker Grilles; open area?

[Philip Kelley]

OK, since I haven't got all of my materials together yet for my first cabinet build (2 Jack 10s), I'm diverting that pent up energy into obsessing over details. Plus, It's nice to feel that I actually know something about what I'm doing and won't be compromising the project with poor material choices. I figure this is one of the most likely places there is for me to get an informed answer.

The question is, how much effect does the amount of grille open area effect cabinet performance. It seems logical that at some point a less open material is going to start having meaningful effects. Different hole patterns such as wire grid, expanded diamonds, punched round, square, or hexagonal holes.... not so much.

I've found some likely grille choices that range between about 53% and 80% open area. There is another thread on this forum that basically says more is better, http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... le#p117542 but doesn't go into any detail.

Comments? Thanks.

[LelandCrooks]

Minimum 60%

[Smokespliffs]

Would it be best to have no grill at all, or do the grills serve an audio performance purpose asides from protecting your gear?

Thanks,

[88h88]

They look a wee bit more 'pro', stop people going "oh, piezos? Awful!" before they hear the things and also help stop you accidentally prodding crap into the front of the speakers when hauling them about.

[Grant Bunter]

+1 on Lelands 60% as a minimum.
Higher than that even better.

A grill that actually protects your gear is going add a lot of weight to a cab. Really, they are about aesthetics, some form of protection, stopping prying fingers and people throwing beer bottles into your folded horns. Most grills are prone to dings and damage...

[Bruce Weldy]

+1 on Lelands 60% as a minimum.
Higher than that even better.

A grill that actually protects your gear is going add a lot of weight to a cab. Really, they are about aesthetics, some form of protection, stopping prying fingers and people throwing beer bottles into your folded horns. Most grills are prone to dings and damage...

I would guess that my OT12 grills add 3-4 pounds. I just like the professional look and the protection.

And they don't affect the sound as far as I can tell. The boxes sound great.

[Smokespliffs]

Sweet,

Thanks guys!

[DJ Nada]

Does anyone have pictures or a description of how they mounted grills on their BFM subs?

[Bruce Weldy]

Does anyone have pictures or a description of how they mounted grills on their BFM subs?

Here ya' go....