Vifa tweeter replacement

[DarylS]

I am not sure if I mentioned previously, that these are double rear ported enclosures...make me wonder if fiberglass dust or particles can escape thru the ports?
I have read that fiberglass is a very good sound insulator vs other materials.

[DarylS]

There was 3 short pieces of the pink fiberglass inside each cabinet..I kept them..and what looks to be carpet padding as well...I left that in since it was stapled inside the walls and bracing.

[fatmarley]

Hope you didn't throw the fibreglass away because although horrible to work with, it's arguably the best stuffing material.

[DarylS]

Update 6.30.21....All 3 capacitors replaced on each crossover board and carefully removed old ferrofluid in both tweeters. Added new ferrofluid to tweeters. Took out the pink fiberglass insulation and replace with new fiberfill.
Wired everything back together. I must say, to my ears, the sound is much brighter in the highs. I will give the caps some time to warm up and report back on further improvements.

[DarylS]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
I have tried multiple locations for these speakers in the listening area, bringing them out away from any side or back walls....but the highs still aren't there.
Awaiting new capacitors to arrive...only spent $50 for 2 sets of 3....i say only, because the Mundorfs were competitive priced vs Dayton's or Solen's brand of metalized polypropylene capacitors.
i will report back how and if any sound changes....then may try the fluid change on the tweeters....would be my first try at that!

[AEIOU]

With old tweeters, the ferrofluid dries up, same thing too with electrolytic capacitors. Electrolytic capacitors have a finite lifespan, should be replaced regardless.

[AEIOU]

That sure is a cheap azz crossover!

[AEIOU]

Replace ALL the capacitors in that crossover, since electrolytic capacitors basically suck. No need to use Mundorf, they are very expensive, too expensive for what you are getting. The resistors should be fine, they hardly if ever age, unless they got real hot and burned. With older tweeters, the ferrofluid usually dries up or gets thicker which is no good. An oil change would help those tweeters, they sell ferrofluid here at PartsExpress.

[johnnyrichards]

How old are you, Daryl?

[djg]

You might want to check out that little black component, upper right with the cap across the terminals, might be a thermal switch or some overload protection.

[rpb]

I bought an inexpensive digital multifunction multimeter....there is a capacitance setting. I removed the capacitors from the board....held the leads on the resistor to discharge them. They tested within the uf's stated rating on the cap's.
i have owned these speakers since 1990. Remember them sounding crisper years ago.
I have some recently purchased Dayton Audio speakers with AMT tweeters, and they sound crisp.
Running the Mirage with a Denon AVR X3500H.
.7.2 channel 215W.

Have you changed the room they are in, or the distance from the walls? My speakers are 3' and 4' from the side, and rear wall. If I place them close to the wall, the tonal balance changes dramatically. I think the ferro fluid could be replaced if necessary. I'd try to measure them before going down that road

Did you verify that the tweeters are functional?

[fpitas]

I have located a few tweeters of same 6 ohm rating and diameter measurements to fit the existing openings in cabinet....run between $30 to $60, depend on brand names.
Once the new Mundorf cap's arrive and I wire all back together, I will be curious to hear if sound changes.
My last resort was to purchase new tweeters..
I have read the ferro fluid may gum up or dry up inside the tweeter over many years.

The 8 ohm rating is nearly meaningless as far as working with the existing crossover. A driver is seldom resistive; instead its impedance varies with frequency and each driver has its own curve.

[DarylS]

They were designed in Canada by a well known, at the time, designer.....they were roughly a $1,000/pair 30 years ago.
They are beasts, weighing in at 75 lbs each!!

[DarylS]

I have located a few tweeters of same 6 ohm rating and diameter measurements to fit the existing openings in cabinet....run between $30 to $60, depend on brand names.
Once the new Mundorf cap's arrive and I wire all back together, I will be curious to hear if sound changes.
My last resort was to purchase new tweeters..
I have read the ferro fluid may gum up or dry up inside the tweeter over many years.

[djg]

Carry on then. A thread on Audiokarma described these as very nice speakers. I'd replace the caps and resistors and see what happens. A different tweeter could give you unpredictable results. Measuring the speaker's output would be very helpful.