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Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:06 pm
by Dan56
Hello,
I've read about metal grill guard material and that it has to be over 65% open. The only material I can find is an hexagonal hole in 22 gauge. That's rather thin. So I'm wondering what others have used and who was their source.
Reliable Hardware has a round hole 16 gage but that's only 62.4% open. They have an expanded metal but it's only 63%.
Also, what is your opinion on adding speaker foam? What benefit is there other then cosmetic?
Thanks,
Dan
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 12:11 pm
by sine143
parts express sell a decent 28 x 30 pair of flat grill (can cut yourself with tin snips). Its about 16 gauge.
heres a sample of it on my SLA pro.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:50 pm
by Dan56
sine143 wrote:parts express sell a decent 28 x 30 pair of flat grill (can cut yourself with tin snips). Its about 16 gauge.
Thanks Sine, What size hole? I have seen that, but at 1/4" (6mm) it's only 58% free air. I don't think the 8 mm hole is much better. After reading at the forum, I was lead to believe that the designs (in this case the OT 12) needs 65% free air or better.
Thus my question.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 3:36 pm
by Bruce Weldy
This is what I used.
http://www.reliablehardware.com/customs ... gered.aspx
The foam backer makes the cab look a whole lot better and you don't have to duratex the horn....
Here's without the foam - you can see the components
This is with the foam...much cleaner look.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 4:49 pm
by Dan56
Thanks Bruce,
So the 63% air space is adequate? Did you have them bend them? If yes, was it just a 90' bend or did you bend them over so to double the edge thickness. I was thinking this would be the simplest and then just flat mount them to strips using screws.
We're using the spray version of the duratex. It works real nice, not a lot of texture but that is fine. Thus the horn fronts will be coated. I believe Tim was doing that today. I'll be wiring and mounting the speakers tomorrow night.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:20 pm
by Grant Bunter
The greater the open area the better, more than 60% (not 65%) is usual.
So 63% is fine.
I would steer clear of anything around or heading towards 50%, or any company that sells grille that can't give you an open area percentage.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 5:47 pm
by Bruce Weldy
Dan56 wrote:
Thanks Bruce,
So the 63% air space is adequate? Did you have them bend them? If yes, was it just a 90' bend or did you bend them over so to double the edge thickness. I was thinking this would be the simplest and then just flat mount them to strips using screws.
We're using the spray version of the duratex. It works real nice, not a lot of texture but that is fine. Thus the horn fronts will be coated. I believe Tim was doing that today. I'll be wiring and mounting the speakers tomorrow night.
No bends at all. The key is putting the proper cleats in the box. I used cutoffs from the horn panels....turn 'em over and they create the perfect 90 degree angle. Here's a pic of the inside...
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:24 pm
by Dan56
Bruce Weldy wrote:
No bends at all. The key is putting the proper cleats in the box. I used cutoffs from the horn panels....turn 'em over and they create the perfect 90 degree angle. Here's a pic of the inside...
Ok, thanks Bruce. Next task, understanding the driverack and just what I'm trying to accomplish with the initial eq'ing.

Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:40 pm
by Bruce Weldy
Dan56 wrote:Bruce Weldy wrote:
No bends at all. The key is putting the proper cleats in the box. I used cutoffs from the horn panels....turn 'em over and they create the perfect 90 degree angle. Here's a pic of the inside...
Ok, thanks Bruce. Next task, understanding the driverack and just what I'm trying to accomplish with the initial eq'ing.

Use the auto EQ to set the system either flat or use the "band" curve on the wizard....assuming you have the reference mic. Then do some listening and smooth out any really wild cuts or boosts.
Call that preset Flat - it will have all of your Crossover settings, limiter settings, etc. Then when you go to a new venue clone that setting over and run the auto EQ again - and name that preset for that venue. Rinse and repeat everywhere you go. Then next time you are there - just being up the preset from last time.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:47 am
by Dan56
Bruce Weldy wrote:
Use the auto EQ to set the system either flat or use the "band" curve on the wizard....assuming you have the reference mic. Then do some listening and smooth out any really wild cuts or boosts.
Call that preset Flat - it will have all of your Crossover settings, limiter settings, etc. Then when you go to a new venue clone that setting over and run the auto EQ again - and name that preset for that venue. Rinse and repeat everywhere you go. Then next time you are there - just being up the preset from last time.
Ok, thank you.
Dan
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2014 10:39 pm
by J_Dunavin
Bruce
I love the finished look of your cabs! What foam did you use behind your grills? And how is the foam secured in there?
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 8:39 am
by Bruce Weldy
J_Dunavin wrote:Bruce
I love the finished look of your cabs! What foam did you use behind your grills? And how is the foam secured in there?
The foam is from Wal-Mart. It is air-conditioning filters for window units. Fits and OT12 perfectly with a little trimming.
Use spray adhesive. Spray the back of the grill, then put the foam on that. Cover with a piece of plywood and some weight to press it down while it dries.
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2014 3:37 am
by PulseMan
Or Alternatively you could stick the sponge on the outside like I did.
Easier to keep clean and won't show dents.
http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewt ... 1&start=30
Pulseman
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 12:53 am
by commander_dan
Bruce Weldy wrote:Dan56 wrote:
Thanks Bruce,
So the 63% air space is adequate? Did you have them bend them? If yes, was it just a 90' bend or did you bend them over so to double the edge thickness. I was thinking this would be the simplest and then just flat mount them to strips using screws.
We're using the spray version of the duratex. It works real nice, not a lot of texture but that is fine. Thus the horn fronts will be coated. I believe Tim was doing that today. I'll be wiring and mounting the speakers tomorrow night.
No bends at all. The key is putting the proper cleats in the box. I used cutoffs from the horn panels....turn 'em over and they create the perfect 90 degree angle. Here's a pic of the inside...
OT12 Build 045 (Small).jpg
Bruce, or anyone in the know, does mounting cleats in this way obstruct the horn in a way that could be detrimental to the output/sound of the cab? I thought messing with the horn panels was a no-no.
I'm nearing the stage of having to mount grills and am puzzling over which method to use. I'd like to try and avoid using screws on the front of the grill if possible, and am considering the various side-mount techniques available...
Re: Metal Grill guard material, speaker foam questions
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:44 am
by Bruce Weldy
commander_dan wrote:
Bruce, or anyone in the know, does mounting cleats in this way obstruct the horn in a way that could be detrimental to the output/sound of the cab? I thought messing with the horn panels was a no-no.
I'm nearing the stage of having to mount grills and am puzzling over which method to use. I'd like to try and avoid using screws on the front of the grill if possible, and am considering the various side-mount techniques available...
Nope.....cleat away....and if you use black grills and black screws, you can't see 'em.