[benguin]

If you have SoundScape 8's you know those rear baffle magnets have a tenacious grip.   I have seen some posts where owners have put a tab on the back of the grill, but I wanted to try something a little different.  I wanted to see if there was a good way to have a non-permanent solution that stayed on the speaker so I could change the grills without having four tabs.

A few pictures of our prototype temptabs are below, and were mocked up with materials we had laying around. 


  Single pull style tab



  Loop style pull



  Inside view of single pull



  Inside view of loop pull



  Single pull in action.

At first, I was planning to use these at the top of the grill, but found they had a tendency to pull out and let the grill snap shut.

The second trial was with the tab moved to the bottom of the grill.  This seems to work out really well, as it pulls out the bottom of the grill and is very stable.  It gives you plenty of time to get your fingers in there and easily remove the grills.

Materials for this round were some spare banding/ribbon and a bit of 3/8" fuel line (unused) in the garage.  It tucks in snugly between the foam and the mdf without any long term deforming of the foam.

I think I'm going to try another version using a thin wood shim with a slot for the ribbon to give a little more professional look.

This has given me a much easier way to A/B the grills for different music, without a lot of effort.  So far, I've really enjoyed having the back wide open for most things, but the closed grill really provided some exceptional imaging for some tracks.

The SS8 is one extremely flexible speaker, it impresses me even more now that I've lived with them for a few months.
  --Ben

[Nuance]

Great thinking, Ben. Well done!

[audiotom]

Ben

Very well thought out grill adaption.  I like the idea of it lifting up  from the bottom to give you more time to catch the grill. Much  like the thought that went into Jim's underlying magnets and rear diffraction option.
I didn't realize that the SS8 used the same imbilical wiring setup for the mids and highs.

The SS10 has a smaller backing grill which rests above the woofer module. The top goes flush with the top back of the mid range The key is you can get very good lateral leverage removing the grill.  It is very easy to take your thumb and open the grill from the top flipping it partially backwards where it then moves down a half inch and rests in your hand and on the top of the woofer section. Genius.

[PETE6737]

Great idea. I will try that. Thanks!

[OgOgilby]

Interesting and well executed idea Ben, but this comment from Tom makes me wonder if it is the best approach.

I like the idea of it lifting up from the bottom to give you more time to catch the grill.

If the pull tabs are attached to the grill there would be no need to "catch" the grill - you would be holding the pull tab when the grill pops off. I don't know if that is actually an issue since I don't have SS8's yet.

Also, you mentioned "without having four tabs". Wouldn't one sturdy tab attached to the grill be sufficient for removing the grill?

-Greg

[benguin]

Hi Greg-  Tom and I are in agreement.  I had first tried using these tabs at the top, but found that it worked much better as shown at the bottom.  It had much less tendency to snap shut and gave me a nice bit of space for my fingers, while the top magnets still held the grill in place.

Your point on mounting to the grills is completely accurate.  If a simple tab is tacked or glued onto each of the grills (one for each grill for a total of four), that would work really well.  My desire was to have a simple completely and easily reversable solution that was speaker based instead of on the grills.

If I get some time this week, I may see if I can get a thin wood based solution to slip in next to the foam.  i think that would work as well or better, and be even easier to fabricate.  (less stitching on the ribbon/trim)

In their current location, my favorite style is the open back with no stuffing.  Once I get them in their final location, I may play around with using a bit of the batting inside.  Playing around with the different configurations has been part of the fun with the SoundScapes. 
  --Ben

[OgOgilby]

Thanks Ben. I really shouldn't post when I am tired  - I was trying to figure out "four tabs", but I was only thinking about the grills for one speaker, not two 

Happy to hear that you are enjoying your SoundScapes more each day!

-Greg