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In Reply to: RE: Magnepan 3.7i upgrade posted by neolith on June 26, 2015 at 13:20:57
I'm not sure this enters everyone's consideration (or might some day), a used 3.7 might not command as high a price as would a 3.7i, in similar condition. Even if there is no (big) improvement in sound the total cost of obtaining the "i" could be realized in its selling price. (Unless a T-IVA becomes eligible for the 'i' upgrade, it doesn't involve me.)
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Actually,, you can do the QR foil upgrade on the mids. Then you can have T IVa with QR in the title.
That's interesting. I'd need some knowledgeable skilled worker to do it for me. For if I ever attempted doing it, I'd end up listening to my 3.6.
Maybe Magnepan can apply the foil on your T4-mids? Yeah, it is probably $500 plus shipping...
Should Magnepan even be willing to do that, I feel the cost would be way more than a measly $500. If I have to ship their T/M panels, I might as well have their ribbons replaced at the same time, and while I'm at it include their four Bass panels to have them refurbished (as their socks wouldn't match). That should add up to at least $5000, and not $500.
They charge $250 for each mid (or bass) driver. If you remove the mid drivers yourself and just send them the drivers, put them in a sturdy crate, it will not be that expensive. If you send them the T/M panels, it will cost you more.
Many thanks to both Satie and Roger Gustavsson for their kind advice. I wouldn't have interest in a making a change which couldn't produce a big difference. It would be too involved (for me), and even if it weren't, there might be some listening down time to be considered. Replacing the midrange drivers with either the Neo 8s or Dayton AMTPRO-4 would be a project beyond my meager capabilities. It appears as if I'm left to endure with the speakers remaining in their present state. If I were as young as most others here are, I'd seriously consider a new 20.7. (They'd have Magnepan's two year warranty and my dealer would install them, no heavy lifting on my part.)
Just had my IIIa's completely redone, mylar, bass wires and foil for the mids using the 20.7 mid foil. The total cost was less than $1000.00 including the shiping. I had a T1-D panel repaired as well including the mylar. That was more of a surprise as it totaled close to $500 including shipping. They had to fix the connecting wiring as well though. Maybe that helps to get an idea of cost. Shelia would give a pretty fair estimate if you called her as she did me. It would only be a rough estimate, but she did well with estimating the cost of mine.
Computerman, thank you for the information you provided.
Perhaps Shelia can tell me who might be interested in coming to my home to pack them for shipping to White Bear Lake and then return to unpack them and set them back up. Since the project doesn't appear to be nearly as costly as I originally thought, I'd easily be able to pay for its being done for me.
(Just joking, of course that would be my job and most certainly, not hers.)
I hear what you are saying about getting around, as I am in a power wheelchair and have been for many years, but I also try not to let "barriers" get in my way. I have learned to ask for help when I need it also. I was able to rebuild the IIIa panels myself, plus man handle the Tympani panels on occasion. Still it did require some serious adjustment. Good Luck!
It is not that costly. Redoing the mids should be about $800, the ribbbons were $200 for repairing the pair and the bass panels depends on what they need to do - i.e. how extensive the delam is, whether there is a break in the wire and whether the mylar is damaged. resocking is not a big deal. Shipping with the right carrier can be affordable.
A complete refurb of the drivers and socks should be under $2000 unless there is structural damage to the frames or the mylar needs to be replaced.
Everything about those speakers is a big deal for me. Long ago I tried to see if I was able to lift a T/M panel, to eventually place them horizontal on a large table in an adjacent room for an attempt to replace the ribbons (and only because an individual at Magnepan suggested it should be done every 7 years, (I suppose based on average use). Literally speaking, I was unable to get that project off the ground. I think I must have the best condition and cared for TIV-As in the world. No banana peel, lifted wire or other issues of any kind. I have played them pretty loud, but for no more than a couple of minutes, just to test them out. It's been a least 15 years since I really listened to them playing loudly, and always driven by my three Brystons, (and never any Telarc 1812 canons).
If I ever needed to ship them to Magnepan for any reason, I'd have to hire a moving man to do it; putting them into their original boxes (which I still have) then taping them up, then down into the basement for pick-up in the drive way. In my relative youth, I was able to do that when I needed Tympani 1Cs refurbished and once again after selling them.
However I notice that 1Cs weigh 160 pounds whereas the IV-As are 260 pounds. (If I ever attempted to ship them off on my own, I'd need to have my 170 lbs shipped to the nearest hospital.)
Understand where you are, was smashed up on the highway a decade ago and still can't do many things that were effortless before. I sent my bass panels to magnepan when they went wrong. I do play my favorite Russian romantics and even Beethoven as if they were 1812...Which I also play.
For the mid work you can probably take the panels out from the back and send them separately while keeping the speakers upright. But that is a lot of trouble and a bit of money for what is not going to be a night and day difference (like using a line of BG Neo8 or Dayton AMTPRO-4 for your mids - though at double the cost of the foil project at magnepan)
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