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Post by saltyguy01 on Aug 30, 2021 21:13:03 GMT
Hello all members, I own a pair of Mirage M3si speakers. Love them to bits! Now, I have a question: I want to replace the foam surrounds on the 4 mid range drivers , but, I cannot work out how to get the speaker side panels off?? They are so beautiful in piano black and I do not want to risk damaging them. If anybody knows how to do this with no risk approach, I would really appreciate your advice. MANY THANKS, Geoff
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 30, 2021 23:15:20 GMT
Hi and welcome to The Audio Standard. Now that's a very good question! I have owned M3si speakers for about 18 years or so and I still haven't worked out how to take the top trim panels off to inspect the drivers. I certainly agree that the finish to the panels is beautiful and one shouldn't do anything to spoil it. I'd love to know more about the system that you use yours in.
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Post by saltyguy01 on Aug 31, 2021 1:22:00 GMT
Hi Chris,
I just love the Mirages - I will never part with them until the day I die. I also have an OPPO 205 Blu ray, an Anthem AVM70 Processor, an Anthem P2 power Amp, a Rotel 1555 Power Amp, and a REL 510 Subwoofer. I have an ALL Mirage BIPOLAR 7.1 SPEAKER SET UP. The Anthem drives the M3si's and the Rotel does the centre, the surrounds and the backs. It is an amazing sound! Cheers, Geoff
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Post by MartinT on Aug 31, 2021 7:02:00 GMT
Do Mirage still exist? Can they be contacted?
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Post by ChrisB on Aug 31, 2021 7:32:48 GMT
Klipsch acquired them. ...and then snuffed them out.
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Post by saltyguy01 on Aug 31, 2021 7:57:22 GMT
Hi Martin
No, Mirage where taken over by Klipsch I think, quite some years back. Cheers, Geoff
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Post by MartinT on Aug 31, 2021 9:01:36 GMT
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Post by saltyguy01 on Sept 2, 2021 20:28:17 GMT
Hello again all. On the 31 August I asked if anybody new how to take the side panels off a Mirage M3si speaker (as I wanted to visually check the condition of the mid range foam surrounds). I understand that, simply by virtue of there age, then it is highly likely that the mid range foam surrounds would very likely be sufficiently damaged as to not be performing as they should be. So, with that in mind, plus the fact that it appears as though I may never get the chance to do that visual check, I am now asking myself "I wonder if indeed the foam surrounds do need replacing or not?" So, I'm asking myself, what other way can I find out. I mean I have listened to these speakers for many years and often, so its hard to notice any audible change as it would have been happening oh so slowly that I just would not notice the change. Today, the speakers overall still sound great, but I have that ongoing doubt and nagging question in my mind, are those surrounds still OK? Do they perform like they should be? Am I concerning myself unnecessarily?
So, I ask you all, is there any other way to determine if the mid range drivers do need the foam surrounds changed?
Thank you all in advance.
Geoff
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Post by MartinT on Sept 2, 2021 21:03:43 GMT
I have done some driver surround replacements and all have been visually in a very poor way. The Peerless mids in my Gale GS-401 speakers were starting to go, but I repaired them with tacky glue which gave them renewed strength and held them together. The only way you'd know blind if a midrange surround has gone is by a reduction in sound quality.
Another way around this problem is if you can identify the driver used. Driver surrounds have been made with different materials and some older foam surrounds are notorious for rotting. Perhaps if we knew the model we could do some hunting for whether they have a reputation for rotting or not?
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Post by saltyguy01 on Sept 2, 2021 21:19:07 GMT
Hi Martin,
Thanks for that. I have the driver surrounds heading to me from Aussie. I will promulgate the specs when they arrive. Cheers for that.
Geoff
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 2, 2021 22:41:28 GMT
Yes, I think the standard of foam used must have a bearing on how they faired over time. Also, maybe local climate may influence the degradation. I really don't think my speakers have worsened since I got them. I understand that all three drivers in the M-3si were designed by Mirage. The woofers were made by them and the builds for the mids and tweeters were sub-contracted.
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Post by saltyguy01 on Sept 3, 2021 8:16:00 GMT
Cheers for that. I have decided that I am going to get the 4 mids and the 2 woofers all done at once - it's the right thing to do whilst the skirt is down.. Remove all doubt and get them back to something like new again. The sound performance change will be interesting.
Cheers Geoff
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Post by saltyguy01 on Sept 4, 2021 0:34:50 GMT
Hi Chris
Good news. I have been able to remove the side panels off the M3si's. They are held on by the same process as the top plate. There are 2 'plugs' about 2 inches down from the top (you can find them using a thin knife). there is another single one about half way down the speaker, in the centre. I did not pop the bottom ones off because I don't need to - (only need access to the drivers). The skirt has been pulled down below the woofer and the side panels are still holding nicely for a simple click back on after the speaker repairs have been done.
And yes, it is as we both suspected, the mid surrounds are super brittle and the woofer rubber surrounds feel to soft. So, I will get them all repaired.
I'm super happy to have got the side panels off with no damage. All it takes is some very careful and gradual 'leveridge' downwards with something thin and strong. They just 'pop' out.
All the best!
Geoff
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 4, 2021 7:45:53 GMT
Geoff, it's great that you got in there. See my first post in this thread - I haven't been able to get the tops off mine.
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Post by saltyguy01 on Sept 5, 2021 22:13:51 GMT
The top and sides are tight! The tops are held on by 4 of those 'pop-off' things (whatever they are called?) and they are spaced evenly through the middle and across the width of the speaker. I got the tops off by using 2 thin strong knives, one on each side of the top plate, in the centre (that is, in line with the 'pop-offs) and slowly levering them up at the same time and rate. You will eventually hear a 'pop' and then you can remove them by hand. The grill cloth is held up by a tie cord.
Cheers, Geoff
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