Magnetically attach the speaker grille
A speaker grille without visible pins or clips: small neodymium magnets in the cabinet allow the grille to snap into place automatically. This makes it easy to choose the right size and install it.
Short answer: drill a hole in the front of the speaker cabinet and in the front frame in the same places, and glue a small neodymium disc magnet in it. The front clicks into place by itself, no pins or clips are visible anymore and you can remove it in one motion. For a standard bookshelf speaker front, 4 magnets of Ø6 x 6 mm or Ø10 x 3 mm are more than enough.
From practice
A customer recently used 8 disc magnets Ø6 x 6 mm to attach the speaker fronts of his speaker boxes magnetically. A nice application: the magnets are small enough to disappear invisibly in the frame, and with approx. 1.5 kg holding force each, a light front is firmly attached.
Which magnet fits?
| Situation | Advice | Holding force (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Small front, thin frame (4 – 6 mm) | disc magnet Ø10 x 3 mm, 4 per front | 2.1 kg per piece |
| Narrow frame or little space in width | disc magnet Ø6 x 6 mm, 4 per front | 1.5 kg per piece |
| Large or heavy front (floor stander, subwoofer) | 6 to 8 magnets distributed over the edge | depending on size |
| Prefer screwing than gluing | ring magnet with countersunk hole in the cabinet and a steel counter ring in the front | see per size |
Too strong is not better here: a front that is attached with a lot of force is difficult to detach without damaging the fabric or the cabinet. Therefore, start with small magnets and test with one pair first.
How to build them in
- Determine the places. Choose the corners of the front, just outside the edge of the speaker units. Place the front on the cabinet and mark the places on both parts exactly opposite each other.
- Drill the holes. Drill a hole in the cabinet and frame with the same diameter as the magnet and as deep as the magnet is thick, or slightly deeper if you want to countersink it.
- Pay attention to the poles. The magnet in the cabinet and the one in the front must attract each other: north opposite south. First place the two magnets against each other and mark the sides that touch with a pen, before gluing. See why do magnets attract each other?
- Glue them in. Use two-component epoxy glue, for example UHU Plus. Let the magnet lie flush with the surface or slightly countersunk. More about gluing in how do you mount a magnet?
- Stretch the fabric over it. The speaker fabric can simply go over the magnets in the front; thin fabric has hardly any effect on the force.
Magnet against magnet or magnet against steel?
- Magnet against magnet gives the most force and is the least sensitive to a small distance through fabric or paint. You then need two magnets per mounting point.
- Magnet against steel is slightly weaker, but you do not have to pay attention to the poles. Then glue or screw a small steel plate or steel ring in the front.
Frequently asked questions
Do the magnets affect the sound?
No. A speaker unit has a much larger magnet itself, and the small magnets in the front are at a sufficient distance. Do keep them a few centimeters away from the cone and the tweeter, so they do not get in the way.
Can I use the magnets through the veneer or the paint?
Yes, provided the layer is thin. When building in invisibly, leave at most 0.5 – 1 mm of material between the magnet and the outside; the force decreases rapidly with the distance. See do magnets work through wood, glass and plastic?
How many magnets do I need?
For a standard front, 4 are enough, one in each corner. For large or long fronts, add a few in the middle of the long sides, so that the front does not bulge.
Read also
- Which disc magnet do you choose?
- Magnets for interior construction
- Magnets for 3D-printed applications
Need help choosing? Use the Magnet Advisor or contact us.
