Replacement Speaker Grill - Fabric Options

[NateTTU]

Has anyone explored replacing the factory speaker grilles with fabric alternatives? While troubleshooting a wiring issue, I removed the grilles and noticed a significant improvement in clarity—the sound opened up much more than expected without the plastic covers.

I’m considering modifying the factory grilles by cutting out the center sections and wrapping them with acoustically transparent fabric to retain some level of protection. Before moving forward, I wanted to see if others have tried a similar approach or if any aftermarket options already exist.

Note: I’ve already replaced the rear pods with 6.5” speakers, so those are no longer factory.

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[Squatch]

Yes, I have.

 

[23OBX2.7]

You can just hot blade cut out som or all of the plastic grills and contact cement audio fabric stretched over the frame quite easily and press fit back into place.

 

[Area51BS]

Tip when stretching speaker fabric over grill. To reduce or prevent loosening over time. Heat a razor knife blade tip over a torch and quickly run the flat surface of blade across back of grill melting the cloth(it’s plastic based). It will lock in the material. Works well anywhere you bunch up material on corners flattening it out. Especially in vinyl work.

 

[NateTTU]

Yes, I have.

Nice, do you have pictures?

 

[NateTTU]

Tip when stretching speaker fabric over grill. To reduce or prevent loosening over time. Heat a razor knife blade tip over a torch and quickly run the flat surface of blade across back of grill melting the cloth(it’s plastic based). It will lock in the material. Works well anywhere you bunch up material on corners flattening it out. Especially in vinyl work.

Sounds like a solid plan, thanks.

 

[Squatch]

Nice, do you have pictures?

Oh, I've only thought about it.

So, the goal is to make any grille as acoustically transparent as possible and that comes with making it have as little mass as possible.

I have 6.5" pods in the rear and I have had the plastic covers off the entire time... maybe two years now. It's definitely a risk, but so far I haven't bashed them entirely, yet.

For the dash speakers, I was in the middle of trying to make custom grilles when I moved and haven't got back to it. I'll probably make as lightweight of a frame as possible and stretch speaker fabric over the top. I'll probably use the technique mentioned by @Area51BS to affix it on the backside instead of just all superglue.

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