Speaker Grille Cloth

[dthomps]

A pair of Monitor 5's I got about a month ago is in need of some help, if any of you recall my previous thread. It is a rare occasion where I actually have a *little* bit of money and nothing in dire need of eating away at my precious meager funds.
I thought about doing something simple like replacing the cloth on the grilles of these Polk’s, but wanted to ask first if there is a recommendation of where to get the material? Just so it is as close as possible to that of the original Polk stuff.
I know Radio Shack sells some and I wouldn’t have to pay/wait for shipping- but is this OK quality stuff?
Thanks a lot.
Mike

[VR3]

Dude, call Polk Audio CS - and order a grill. Its like 25 bucks.....(if they still sell them)

[dthomps]

Hey Trey
Thanks for the tip, but a 36" x 70" piece from Parts Express is only $6.90 plus shipping, and the grilles from Polk are about $18.00 a piece.
I was going for the affordability and I also just wanted the project. (Now that I am unemployed and all, nothing to do :D)

[fgr41]

Welcome to the world of cheap home improvement projects, AKA getting RIFed.

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out of work since 3/02

[gidrah]

I got a roll from RS awile back. Unfortunately I haven't opened it yet so I can't tell you whether or not it's any good. I know it's a stretch material and comes in a 32"x36" roll and usually runs about $10.00. I picked mine up on close-out so they may not be carrying it for much longer.

[burdette]

I think if PE is selling it as grill cloth, it is suitable for grill cloth (i.e. sonically transparent). Ask on the PE forum if you're curious. I've found RS to be quite hit-and-miss on their audio stuff. I don't think they have audio or speaker DIY people doing their buying.

If you're so worried about matching, just do both speakers.

I'll be curious to see how you do it. I've made grills out of wood, and I stapled the cloth on. The 5jr+ I have have plastic grills, and the material is melted on.

It has been awhile, but I bought the cloth at a local fabric shop. I just looked around and held up possibilities to the light. The really open material sort of 'disappears' when you hold it up to a bright light. I just had to be sure it was meaty enough to hold staples.

[TonyPTX]

I bought some RS grille cloth a while back when I had to rebuild the entire grilles (frame and all) for a pair of JBL speakers. Personally, I think the product is fine. As for it being sonically transparent, well I never had the original speaker grilles to compare them to, however I tend to like the sound better with the grille on.

PS, I think I bought one roll at RS for $8 and it covered two 36" floor standers...

[ohskigod]

i went to Rag Shop (a craft store in norther NJ. sell fabric by the yard. found a black fabric, a little stretchy, could see a good deal of light through it (dont use opaque for obvious reasons). I must say it looks and sounds great. My wife and I have 2 cats, hence the reason for me occasionally needing to recloth my speakers. I noticed no sound difference with grills on and off, so I'll say it worked like a charm. pretty cheap too.