Speaker Grills Off or On?
Posted by: CSI_Basel on 07 April 2017
Hi All
My system consists of a Superuniti, Unitiserve feeding Audio Physic Tempo IVs with Chord Odyssey 2 cable.
Overall I am extremely satisfied with my system other than the US reliability......
The speakers are now coming up for 10yrs old and I've been thinking about an upgrade but with little enthusiasm as we all know auditioning speakers is a nightmare... Even more so if you don't live in the UK!
I have always kept the speaker grills on, but last night I took them off. I've always found the speakers to be very neutral and smooth. You could never accuse them of being bright! Well, with the naked speakers there is a clarity to the treble that was never there before.... I was quite surprised. The difference isn't night and day, but it kept me up until 2am just listening to my favorite songs.
I've been comparing again tonight and this is one upgrade thats going to stick! Looks like I'll have to get a feather duster.
Cheers
Posted on: 07 April 2017 by wenger2015
I always prefer the grills off, but I think it's all down to personal choice
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by ryder.
Similar experience. Small but appreciable difference with grilles on and off. Slightly more open sound with grilles off, fuller/warmer sound with grilles on. Can live with both but prefer grilles off for sound quality, and the speakers look better too.
I would be more concerned on damaging the fabric on the grilles with frequent removal of the grilles. With the Harbeth that i have, the Supergrilles (that is what they call it) go into a tight slot or groove around the perimeter of the speakers. Frequent grinding of the fabric and wooden surface of the groove may damage the fabric of the grilles in the long run.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by NJB
I prefer grills off, unless I have visitors. Open cones attract little hands.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by Eoink
I use B&W 804s speakers. When I got them, I tried with and without grilles, and couldn't hear any consistent difference, so went with the grilles on. The tweeters being on top instead of behind the grilles might be part of the reason I guess.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by jon h
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by tonym
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by Wugged Woy
PMC speakers - definitely grilles OFF. YMMV.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by Klyde
Metal grills on 42/7, or cat's will kill the drivers.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by Chris Dolan
Kudos Super 20s - grilles off - and placed with LP12 lid 
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by ChrisSU
Metal grills on 42/7, or cat's will kill the drivers.
You must have a strong-willed cat 
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by Harry
No audible difference in our system. So they stay on.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by yeti42
NBLs (somehow I'm reluctant to call them nibbles) the driver cover stays on. It's sort of a stocking mask held on with an O ring in a groove and won't survive repeated removel and the bass driver covers won't come off anyway.
Posted on: 08 April 2017 by Bob the Builder
Grills off, apart from the SQ I personally think they look better off too.
Posted on: 09 April 2017 by Rui Marques
Prefer my SL2s with grills on.
Less shouty and more focused sound as if the soundstage (arghh) is better defined.
Probably more exciting without the grills but a little more fatiguing.
Well, not a big difference....
Posted on: 09 April 2017 by Sister E.
Posted on: 09 April 2017 by Kevin-W
Very wise, Sis. Exposed 'roids are not only unsightly, but very, very painful (so I'm told). 
Posted on: 09 April 2017 by ChrisSU
My Royds came with the grills glued on. After a couple of weeks, they fell off. I guess they should have got some glue from Linn.
Posted on: 09 April 2017 by Kevin Richardson
Posted on: 09 April 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk
I used to think it was largely aesthetics, but I have since learnt it depends on the speaker design. Some speakers are designed to be used with the grills on and so are optimum in terms of diffusion and balance.. however clearly down to personal choice in the end
Posted on: 10 April 2017 by Allante93
Posted on: 10 April 2017 by Mike Kent
Grilles on with my SL2s.
SL2 grilles are notoriously a little fragile and I wouldn't want to damage them by taking them on and off. Prefer the sound with them on. Plus they look so beautiful with grilles on.
Posted on: 10 April 2017 by Naijeru
Whether on, off or bottom grills only it all depends on how I feel. Unless there are children around in which case they must definitely be on!
I suppose there is a slight difference in sound but I really can't tell whether that difference is real or because I expect there to be a difference. Either way it doesn't affect my enjoyment so for me that counts as not affecting the sound.
Posted on: 10 April 2017 by hilz
Harbeth Super hl5's grills on.
hilz
Posted on: 11 April 2017 by Mario
DBL's - grills definitely on!
Mario.
