McIntosh ML-1C midrange and tweeter / crossover replacement / repair

[Laricc]

I posted a thread a while back looking for some insight on how to repair a set of McIntosh ML-1C loudspeakers. There wasn't much I could go off so I tried to contact Mr. Russel on the topic but I only got vague responses. Eventually, someone sent a picture of a pair someone else rebuilt. I ended up figuring out which drivers were using by simply eyeballing the picture. After a little bit of research, I found two pairs that looked like a match.

From here I hit another roadblock - handling the crossover. From what I know, the crossover will also have to be changed for these drivers to work properly. I lack knowledge on how exactly crossovers work so I was wondering if I could get some advice or help to fix these speakers.




Drivers:
https://www.parts-express.com/morel-mdm-55-2-1-8-soft-dome-midrange--287-020
https://www.parts-express.com/morel-mdt-39-1-1-8-compact-dome-tweeter--277-035

ML-1C service manual and specs:

http://www.roger-russell.com/ml1cservice.htm

http://www.roger-russell.com/ml1cpg.htm#ml1cspecs

Thanks.

 

[Michaelg47]

Hello, I know I'm late to this thread but I'm in the same position and wondering whatever became of your ML-1C's. I picked up a pair a while back and replaced the surround foams on both the woofers and mid-range speakers only to find out the upper mid-range drivers were Open. One of the tweeters works but is lacking in dispersion. Now trying to decide if I proceed with these Mc speakers or move on...suggestions? -Thanks!

 

[Mike Gibson]

I would go ask the man who designed them what he would do. Here is his website. Good luck.
http://www.roger-russell.com/

Mike

 

[homebrew]

First, I would contact McIntosh and see what they say. Chances are you only have two choices since the manufacturers of the drivers used in the ML-1C (with the exception of Peerless in its various incarnations) are out of business. Either find someone to rebuild the drivers or try to get some used operative drivers. Trying to use some other, non-McIntosh drivers as you have found out, can be a very involved process. And if you go that route, you won't have ML-1C's anyway. There is a third painful option and that would be parting out the speakers.

 

[Michaelg47]

First, I would contact McIntosh and see what they say. Chances are you only have two choices since the manufacturers of the drivers used in the ML-1C (with the exception of Peerless in its various incarnations) are out of business. Either find someone to rebuild the drivers or try to get some used operative drivers. Trying to use some other, non-McIntosh drivers as you have found out, can be a very involved process. And if you go that route, you won't have ML-1C's anyway. There is a third painful option and that would be parting out the speakers.

Yup, that's basically where I'm at, parting out or changing a Mc speaker into a hybrid of sorts. Both options seem sacrilegious to do that to McIntosh equipment.

 

[Mike Gibson]

I'm sure McIntosh has run out of parts for them years ago. So I would email Roger Russell. He developed them and has also come up with improvements and he can tell you where to obtain replacement drivers that will work with his design. If successful you will need to get a McIntosh equalizer to have them play as flat as originally intended. Good luck with the project.

 

[twiiii]

I was speaking to Steve Rowell at Audio Classics this morning about ML series speakers. He said the Morel combo would be great for ML-1's. Wonder if it would work for a ML-2 also?

 

[GordonW]

I was speaking to Steve Rowell at Audio Classics this morning about ML series speakers. He said the Morel combo would be great for ML-1's. Wonder if it would work for a ML-2 also?View attachment 3417490

Problem is, the ML2 has TWO dome mid-range drivers.

It would require significant additional modification, both to the crossover and the cabinet, to use that.

Regards,
Gordon.