G4 graphite case speaker grille question

[croissantking]

Random question, but since I hoovered out all the dirt in my Graphite G4 (Yikes) case, I noticed the speaker looking a bit odd, like some kind of foam is missing. Are you supposed to see directly into the steel inner case?

 

[chriscarruthers]

Yep that’s how they are! Just holes on top of holes.

 

[chriscarruthers]

Actually I take it back. Some of my graphites seem to have some foam maybe (I haven’t pulled apart yet) but some don’t!
Either I lost something when refurbing some or perhaps it was a manufacturing change over time?

 

[chriscarruthers]

Perhaps there is a thin piece of foam that is glued to the metal chassis. My refurbed graphites (and B&Ws) are missing it. I suspect I may have vacuumed/cleaned it away if over time it’s the sort that breaks down into a sticky goo. Possibly just seems like gross dust+. My untouched towers seem to have it still.

I suppose yours was taken apart and cleaned at some point maybe?

 

[joevt]

I don't think the holes of my B&W G3 are transparent enough to see anything behind them.

 

[mac27]

All G3 B&W and G4 Graphite (Yikes/Sawtooth/Digital Audio/Gigabit Ethernet) did ship with a circular piece of foam glued over this area. In the photo above, you can see the ring of glue around the outside of the circle where there are still tiny bits of dark foam attached (behind/inside the outer ring of holes on the outer acrylic panel).

Unfortunately this foam gets very brittle with age and is easily swept or vacuumed away, which is what's happened here unfortunately. No real practical impact AFAIK but it does throw the look off a bit.

Below are some photos of my own G3 B&W and G4 Graphite cases stripped down, showing the foam more clearly.

 

[Byrd]

All that foam turns into dust/disintegrates over time, you could probably make a replacement from the filter foam that comes in cheap PC cases and fan filters.