Planar Speaker Asylum

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Planar Speaker Asylum

Any reason why one couldn't use plastic wire mesh...

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...instead of grille cloth? I've acquired a cheap set of MGI that need rebuilding. Since the grille cloth is coming off anyway, why not replace it with something unique, right? It could be pulled more taut than fabric, protecting the elements even more. Also dust would build up less AND be easier to blow out. Splashes would be more a concern of course. UV won't be a big problem in my room. Anyone done this? If I'm the first, don't forget my meager contribution.

Follow Ups:

RE: Any reason why one couldn't use plastic wire mesh... - gymwear5@hotmail.com 06:48:49 03/25/08 (0)
my concern would be an audible buzz caused by the mesh if stretched directly across the frame. Lay some felt on the frame then the wire mesh would probably be OK. The fabric sock is just a very efficient (cost and cosmetic) way to cover a loudspeaker - used by not only Magneplanar, but also Vandersteen, and even the old Time Window loudspeakers.
RE: Any reason why one couldn't use plastic wire mesh... - Jim Treanor 23:38:51 03/24/08 (3)
"Transparent" or not, I'd wonder whether the material makeup of that kind of mesh would introduce any anomalous diffractive or other negative effects. Your MG-1 or its prototype was probably sound-tested at White Bear Lake with the original grille sock material. Using something else may give a different sonic result, however subtle. Of course, if visual effect or originality is your priority, that may not matter

Footnote: When Magnepan first introduced the black sock, adding it to the white sock already in the lineup, there was considerable discussion as to whether the black sock models were as sonically transparent as their white sock counterparts.

Jim
http://www.geocities.com/jimtranr/index.html
- And yet ... - andyr 03:00:55 03/25/08 (2)
  When I first got my IIIas, about 15 years ago, they had a "slubby cream" sock. I replaced them a few years later with the current sheer black sock ... and this seems to me, to be a lot more transparent than the original socks?
  
  Regards,
  
  Andy
  - And yet ... - Jim Treanor 09:15:38 03/25/08 (0)
    The original Maggie black sock was introduced in the late '70's and has gone through at least one iteration, maybe more, since. The weave on my current 1.6 black socks is, as you note, "sheer"--not what I recall of the originals.
    
    Jim
    http://www.geocities.com/jimtranr/index.html
  - RE: And yet ... - Brian Bennett 05:06:48 03/25/08 (0)
    Andy wrote: "When I first got my IIIas, about 15 years ago, they had a "slubby cream" sock. I replaced them a few years later with the current sheer black sock ... and this seems to me, to be a lot more transparent than the original socks?"
    
    My MG3A's also had the original off-white 'burlap-esque' grill cloth, and when I replaced it with the modern black sock it did seem to be more transparent (can't be sure since it wasn't a rapid A/B comparison, but I can assure you it wasn't worse ;^)
    
    We have some dark colored fiberglass screening on our screen porch, maybe this would be the best choice for an experiment?
    
    Brian
    'Into the Red'
Plastic wire mesh = screen door material - mercury_marine 21:10:57 03/24/08 (2)
When I say plastic wire mesh, I mean like screen door material. Rolled, black, comes in a few different gauges of thickness. Acoustically I can't imagine it being any less transparent than a piece of cloth. I've spoken straight through a few screen doors in my day - most had metal screens though. ;) It would also have the added benefit of making the speakers more visually transparent as well. Thinkin' out loud here.
- Apogee speakers use mesh - sogood 08:28:32 03/25/08 (0)
  Looks great too! Of course, with the Maggies...It's going to depend on how they look naked? The Apogees were designed with the mesh cover in mind from the start.
  
  Don't Maggies have some kind of ugly tuning puck, that would kill the looks?
  
  Dave
- alright so we're talkin' nylon screen material then... - Green Lantern 21:34:11 03/24/08 (0)
  BIG difference than 'plastic mesh' (first thought that came to my mind was the big orange netting used on construction sites believe it or not).
  
  Must be a geographic thing; like saying 'pop' vs 'soda'..
  
  anyway; Sure why not.
  
  "Live life as if you'll die tomorrow...
  Learn life as if you'll live forever..." -Gandhi
RE: Any reason why one couldn't use plastic wire mesh... - Melchior 19:22:19 03/24/08 (0)
I think the big reason is that plastic mesh is not acoustically transparent, as quality speaker grill material needs to be.
just one IMO - Green Lantern 18:35:23 03/24/08 (0)
not sure what type or plastic mesh you're refering to but too little spacing in-between the mesh would affect the sound IMO,

too wide a spacing would be well, pointless (why even use it all).

Then (for me anyway) there's the asthetic aspect but again, I'm not you and vice-versa.

But what the hay..give it a try and post a pic-

"Live life as if you'll die tomorrow...
Learn life as if you'll live forever..." -Gandhi

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