Honestly, you're probably better off with the cats ripping hte fabric grill than damaging the surround on a woofer. I'd leave the grills on.

An individual driver ranges in price, and I don't know the price on the sub drivers, but the 6.5s are something like $120 ea, last I looked. I could be wrong on that..

I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!