I bought three theater I center channel speakers for $100 each and so far the first one I tested had poor clarity, but not just the center panel but also the tweeters as well. I was looking to keep 1 and sell the others but I'm not sure investing a $1000 into them will make them worth more than $1000. Thoughts?
The Theater should be comparable with the Focus ESL C18. So if it's only the panel that is bad, then you will basically get a $3K center speaker after you replaced it. But you also mentioned the tweeters might be bad. I don't know how much ML would charge for them. But you have 3 Theater, you would have really bad luck if all three have blown tweeters. Check that first and if you do not have to buy new tweeters as well, I would go for a panel replacement.
Thanks. I have this same speaker that is now approx 20 yrs old and have noticed it sounds a bit muddy. I thought it was my ears going bad (and perhaps that _is_ part of the problem). Maybe I should consider changing the panel if it's not too pricey. How much did the panel cost you? I've seen videos of people washing their panels in the shower and gaining significant improvements. If I'm going to pay for a new panel, I may as well try the washing technique first. Did _you_ consider washing yours?
Washing can indeed make them sound better if it's contamination that is the cause. I've tried cleaning my panels after they have started to sound bad by gently giving them a rinse. It has helped a bit, but never brought back the full glory. You can read about it in the ML owners forum. But it seems the panels after prolonged usage start to lose their conductive coating and that that is the reason the sound deteriorate. Then it doesn't matter how clean they are, they will sound dull. Price very much depends on the model you have and I guess where you live. 2 Ascent panels including shipping to HK was ~U$1600 and the Theater panel U$950.
