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Polydome Infinity Kappa midrange replacement / fix

Seppo

Seppo

Super Member
I just chatted with Simply Speakers regarding replacing the Polydome Kappa midrange (the one that deteriorates and turns all yellow over time), and their solution is to just replace it with M-330 midrange:

6" Dome Midrange, Infinity 3" Fabric Dome, 6 Ohms, M-330

http://www.simplyspeakers.com/replacement-speaker-dome-midrange-m-330.html


I know people have been very happy with Miller Sound refurbishing the existing dome.

But has anyone compared these two (new M-330 v. Miller Sound refurbished one)?
 
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If you instal those you will have to do some crossover mods because they are 6 ohms, the originals are 4 ohms
 
Look around, they're available for less money. There have been several threads on these here over the years. I believe this is the same one.

Wouldn't a 2Ω resistor in series with the driver solve the crossover issue?
 
to answer your actual question of if there was an A / B shootout. I wasn't able to find one in the forums. I found reviews of each but nothing side to side in an A/B shootout.
after reading what i think is at least 90% of the threads on here i opted for the Miller Sound route, knowing if i didn't like them they could always be sold or kept as spares.

I am happy with my choice and will not be trying the M-330
 
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The SS M-330 can be a good choice as well. In stock form they are entirely to bright, like +3db to bright~ I install a 2 resistor network glued to the back of each driver., I think a 5 watt 2 ohm and a 19 ohm resistor and then they integrated much much better!
DC
 
I certainly would not consider those a replacement for the Polydome. I would look to having the dome material replaced on the original (ie Millersound) before I spent money on those. Atleast that way, when a true replacement material comes out (if ever), you can just repair them again at that time. These places just want to sell you a speaker.
 
So long they sell a quality driver, that is kind of the business they are in!! Nothing wrong with that, fact is that is a good observation on them being a speaker sale place uvafan420. I have actually used their product and support their business from time to time.
DC
 
dc270 said:
So long they sell a quality driver, that is kind of the business they are in!! Nothing wrong with that, fact is that is a good observation on them being a speaker sale place uvafan420. I have actually used their product and support their business from time to time.
DC
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Selling speakers is quite different than selling a 6ohm speaker as a direct replacement for an Infinity Polydome. Lots of companies sell quality drivers. JL Audio, Wilson, etc... but to recommend them for something they were not made for? Even Genesis has a very close speaker to the Polydome, but it is still not the same.
 
I am sure your opinion is welcome here, as is mine and my experience with the actual product in use!
DC
 
dc270 said:
I am sure your opinion is welcome here, as is mine and my experience with the actual product in use!
DC
Click to expand...
Yes of course. Post #4 pretty much sums it up perfectly. Someone who has also tried said product, along with the others Vifa, Scanspeak, etc........
 
With resistor corrections like I have suggested, the M-330 this is a perfectly valid sounding product. I am not trying to push something that should not be an option to us here. The more valid choices there are, the better the repair consensus can be. If you had an idea for a repair, would you not want others to know about it?

As for the statement that EVERYBODY that bought them, took them out, is based on what fact? You can read SS websight to see and read about many well satisfied customers- to be factual here.

All I want here is more honest options for our subscribers to have a better product. IF after studding the options one will find what works best for them. I am offering a another option for those who wish to be more informed. To slam my suggestion or the M-330 out of hand is truly your opinion. Based on what, I am still not sure, but my decision on a replacement dome product would not rely on it.
DC
 
dc270 said:
With resistor corrections like I have suggested, the M-330 this is a perfectly valid sounding product. I am not trying to push something that should not be an option to us here. The more valid choices there are, the better the repair consensus can be. If you had an idea for a repair, would you not want others to know about it?

As for the statement that EVERYBODY that bought them, took them out, is based on what fact? You can read SS websight to see and read about many well satisfied customers- to be factual here.

All I want here is more honest options for our subscribers to have a better product. IF after studding the options one will find what works best for them. I am offering a another option for those who wish to be more informed. To slam my suggestion or the M-330 out of hand is truly your opinion. Based on what, I am still not sure, but my decision on a replacement dome product would not rely on it.
DC
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Hi DC,

Thank you for being so enthusiastic in your recommendation. In your dutiful research on the Polydome alternatives here at AK you must've seen where members like myself have tried the different offerings touted to be a replacement, including the Scanspeak (SS M330). Are you discounting members opinions on this forum in favor of the published opinions of a business website? Your research here would've shown that the horse has been beat to death and what you're suggesting has been suggested before and tried over the years going back to the beginning of the diaphragm discontinuance. If you think the M330(Scanspeak) sounds good, that is your opinion and apparently some others on a different site dedicated to selling speaker drivers. Here(the Infinity forum), where it is not allowed to sell anything, you should have found opinions and truth aplenty. While they work, the drivers you mention aren't the best solution for those that want the original sound of the Kappa Polydome. Will they make a functional speaker? Yes. Will it sound like you know it should if you have the reference? No! Again the research you did has told you what the consensus, here, of the driver you are touting is, hasn't it?

If you don't believe our opinions here based on real listening and would like to find out what the Millersound offering sounds like to form your own opinion, have your originals done and compare for yourself. If you don't like the way they sound compared to your modified M-330(Vifa, Scanspeak) drivers sell them.

Mark K.
 
Hi Mark K,
Ummmm and I thought the Infinity Forum was to move, influence and educate the audio community forward with new ideas and actual practice! To exclude all other contenders but those chosen by the Infinity Forum, as you implicated, hardly moves the group in being an enlightened forum, but for their own chosen ideas as being valid.
Please pardon me from this forum as it does seem my practices and ideas were offered here as an alternative, and an option. It was not a "sales call" to beat dead horses. I hope your forum will be able to move forward and flourish. My 10,400+ posts here in AK, plus 45+ years in audio and custom audio applications, find no further purpose in contributing here, in the Infinity Forum. Gooday gentlemen.
 
Options are fine.
Opinions are fine.

I like Anchovy and broccoli ice cream.*
Many people do not.



*I'm kidding, but I think my point is clear.
 
dc270 said:
Hi Mark K,
Ummmm and I thought the Infinity Forum was to move, influence and educate the audio community forward with new ideas and actual practice! To exclude all other contenders but those chosen by the Infinity Forum, as you implicated, hardly moves the group in being an enlightened forum, but for their own chosen ideas as being valid.
Please pardon me from this forum as it does seem my practices and ideas were offered here as an alternative, and an option. It was not a "sales call" to beat dead horses. I hope your forum will be able to move forward and flourish. My 10,400+ posts here in AK, plus 45+ years in audio and custom audio applications, find no further purpose in contributing here, in the Infinity Forum. Gooday gentlemen.
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Hi DC,

I bow to your superior post count and vast experience. I did not exclude. I tried to point out that your new ideas aren't, and the driver in question isn't the "best" solution. I also tried to point you to research your topic, which should have given some information on the efficacy of the driver in question. Again, your chosen driver will "work" and researching the topic shows this albeit with some modification. What some here including myself have done is tried the various drivers including those from other Infinity lines and have come to the conclusions we have come to based on our own listening experiences. If you don't believe me or us so be it.

The driver you mention is available cheaper elsewhere for those interested in trying the comparisons. There are other options available as well which are probably "better" which have already been discussed. The other option is to take the already done comparisons at face value and decide what is best for you.

It would be great for you to tell us what you think of the various drivers including originals in your own listening tests.

I value your opinion but it doesn't seem to be the consensus and my own listening tests tell me so.

We are collectively hoping that a member here comes up with a proper replacement and then hopefully "The Polydome Alternative" debate will come to an end.

Thanks,

Mark K.
 
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