http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/speaker-grills-on-or-off.340039/page-2
So when one has no option the choice is obvious. Also, if a particular model is voiced with or without them then the supposedly acoustically transparent cloth must not be so transparent at some point. All of that is mechanical. But what about the psychological effect? Can a speaker seem "hushed" simply by putting on the grilles and covering up the shiny bits? Some grilles can "darken" the room visually. I've spoken to many folks over the years who felt they altered the sound of their listening environment by changing the paint color.
Now, changing from flat to semi-gloss is a given as to impact but color, what about those effects? We see things as hard or soft, how does that impact our perception of the sound?
Dynaudio recommends removing your eyeglasses when auditioning speakers for instance.
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Remember last year at RMAF in the Goya room. They are those really ugly "elfin" looking speakers. They were demonstrating those tiny acoustical resonators in a huge room. I'm sorry folks, but two people leaving or four people entering a room is going to have more of an acoustical effect than those little trinkets. A room filled with people wearing eyeglasses vs. no eyeglasses is going to have more of an effect and probably measurable
https://www.quora.com/How-do-people-with-glasses-use-headphones
