Speaker Grills

[dalessandro12]

I am installing my first in ceiling speaker today (AIM5 One from Speakercraft) and noticed something I'm not too sure about. The grill for the speaker has this white filter like thing that came with it. Does the filter go over the speaker before I put the grill on?

I also purchased the NEAT grill (a magnitized grill for easy access to the speaker to aim it if I move my seating arrangement) and that grill also had the same sort of filter.

Does this filter dust or something? Does it affect the SQ at all? The manuals do not even reference this at all.

Thanks

 

[highfigh]

I am installing my first in ceiling speaker today (AIM5 One from Speakercraft) and noticed something I'm not too sure about. The grill for the speaker has this white filter like thing that came with it. Does the filter go over the speaker before I put the grill on?

I also purchased the NEAT grill (a magnitized grill for easy access to the speaker to aim it if I move my seating arrangement) and that grill also had the same sort of filter.

Does this filter dust or something? Does it affect the SQ at all? The manuals do not even reference this at all.

Thanks

What is the "white filter-like thing' made of? If it's porous, it's for keeping dust out. If it's non-porous, it's for leaving in place over the speaker so it can be painted. Leave it in place- it makes the speaker less visible.

 

[dalessandro12]

Thanks highfigh, I didn't even thing about it being used for painting. I read the part in the manual "Painting your Speaker" and it said to remove the "protector" and put it back after painting, so I can assume it is for dust.

This won't affect SQ? I spent extra money for grills that mount completely flush on the wall so you cant see any seems - a magnetic band mounts behind the speaker and the grill attaches to it from the outside. I just finished the install and it looks very clean.

 

[highfigh]

Thanks highfigh, I didn't even thing about it being used for painting. I read the part in the manual "Painting your Speaker" and it said to remove the "protector" and put it back after painting, so I can assume it is for dust.

This won't affect SQ? I spent extra money for grills that mount completely flush on the wall so you cant see any seems - a magnetic band mounts behind the speaker and the grill attaches to it from the outside. I just finished the install and it looks very clean.

It shouldn't do anything objectionable to the sound but, OTOH, in-wall speakers aren't usually at the top end of sound quality unless it's a rare instance.

Try it both ways and find out which you prefer. If a little dust gets on a speaker, it won't hurt it unless the surround is foam. Foam surrounds aren't as tolerant of contaminants as butyl rubber, especially cigarette smoke. Also, the filter may be a UV screen- UV ages many materials incredibly fast and foam surrounds fall apart quickly if exposed to UV and excessive heat.

 

[dalessandro12]

Thanks. The surround isn't foam and they won't get much direct sunlight and I am going to tint the windows in the room to cut down on heat and UV. When I get everything set up I'll see how they sound with and without it.

 

[Gustavo]

If it's what i think it is (made of thin, foamy material sandwiched between the grill and the speaker front), it's not to keep out dust. It's part of the packaging to protect the speaker during packaging, shipping and storage.

When I bought my speakers, it came with that. It's meant to be taken off before you use the speakers.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It stays in on SC speakers.

 

[highfigh]

Thanks. The surround isn't foam and they won't get much direct sunlight and I am going to tint the windows in the room to cut down on heat and UV. When I get everything set up I'll see how they sound with and without it.

If you have Low e windows, you shouldn't have much problem with IR/UV.