Why does most of the audio speakers consist of a Mesh like structure?

[ravikanth_bvrkc]

Hi all
Most of the audio speakers consist of Mesh like structure covering it. Firstly, it is made of metal perhaps to protect the speaker. But does it actually perform any filtering function?(like the conventional LPF, HPF, BPF etc). Also some high-end music equipment comes with a cloth like material covering the speakers. What difference does it make?

 

[alexan_e]

The cover is just for protection or aesthetic reasons, there are high end speakers where this is removed for critical listening.

 

[etmabreu]

The cloth lining usually gives you better bass response and also prevents unwanted box ressonance at audio frequencies.

 

[ravikanth_bvrkc]

The cloth lining usually gives you better bass response and also prevents unwanted box ressonance at audio frequencies.

Thank you.. I thought the it would perform some filtering operation analogous to the frequency filters.

 

[alexan_e]

The cloth lining usually gives you better bass response and also prevents unwanted box ressonance at audio frequencies.

Any reference on that?
I only know the treble to attenuate some depending on the fabric of the cover but how can the cover control the box resonance, when the box resonates it vibrates and it produces waves from all sided, not just the front.
The resonance is controlled by internal box structure (braces and fill).

 

[jeffrey samuel]

the mesh is made in such a way that the quality of sound is enhanced and not attenuated

especially the Bass part of the sound is slightly given a reverbing throb by the mesh

 

[crutschow]

the mesh is made in such a way that the quality of sound is enhanced and not attenuated

especially the Bass part of the sound is slightly given a reverbing throb by the mesh

I seriously doubt that the flimsy material of a speaker grill could have any affect on the bass frequencies. :-?

 

[etmabreu]

Any reference on that?
I only know the treble to attenuate some depending on the fabric of the cover but how can the cover control the box resonance, when the box resonates it vibrates and it produces waves from all sided, not just the front.
The resonance is controlled by internal box structure (braces and fill).

The user asked about the cover and also about the thick cloth lining inside the box.
My answer about avoiding case self resonance was meant for the thick cloth inside the box.

 

[ravikanth_bvrkc]

The user asked about the cover and also about the thick cloth lining inside the box.
My answer about avoiding case self resonance was meant for the thick cloth inside the box.

Does the box again contain a cloth inside it? Is this legitimate?

 

[etmabreu]

Does the box again contain a cloth inside it? Is this legitimate?

Unless we are talking about very very cheap, low quality speakers, every cabinet has something inside to prevent self-ressonance. The most common procedure is to add a very thick cloth in the walls inside so you don't get standing waves wall-to-wall. Some speaker manufacturers may use other clever methods. I remember to see some speakers from Tannoy where the inside walls had a structure with lots of pyramids to prevent parallel plane walls (one of the things you can also observe in an anechoic chamber for antenna measurements for similar reasons).

 

[alexan_e]

The user asked about the cover and also about the thick cloth lining inside the box.
My answer about avoiding case self resonance was meant for the thick cloth inside the box.

There is no mention of internal cloth in the original post

Hi all
Most of the audio speakers consist of Mesh like structure covering it. Firstly, it is made of metal perhaps to protect the speaker. But does it actually perform any filtering function?(like the conventional LPF, HPF, BPF etc). Also some high-end music equipment comes with a cloth like material covering the speakers. What difference does it make?

Anyway , I thought you were referring to the cover and that is why I said that it can't effect the box resonance.

 

[etmabreu]

There is no mention of internal cloth in the original post


Anyway , I thought you were referring to the cover and that is why I said that it can't effect the box resonance.

You are right. Now that I re-read the topic I realized I mixed up things. Nevertheless, the information about the inside is valid and may be usefull to someone.