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Revel M20s turned 24, should I consider replacing them

RichB

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I have a 4 Revel M20s in a vacation home that are now 24 years old.
The original C30 has failed, there is definitely a problem with the midrange.
I suspect there are issues with the tweeter and/or crossover as well since the high frequencies were almost non existent.
I had to put my ear to the tweeter to hear anything out of it and the adjustments on the back did nothing.

We replaced the C30 with a Revel Performa C208 (new from Crutchfield). The center is amazing in this system.
The M20s sound out of tune next to this but that could be that they are just outclassed.

The M20 crossovers have treble and bass adjustments so they are more complex than most.
How long are crossovers expected to last?
I'd like to system to go for at least 15 more years.

If I can expect issues, then I'd rather pickup up some M106s used and replace them now.

I have not measured the M20s and that is difficult.
They are 5 hours away and there are only a couple of opportunities to replace the speakers each year as we also rent.

There are decent deals on used M106s out there.
Should I be proactive and replace the M20s?

- Rich
 
Based on Stereophile's measurements I can't see why the M20 would sound "out of tune" relative to the C208 (or anything really) unless something is going wrong with the driver(s) and/or crossover. If you can't or don't want to measure the response from the M20 drivers to verify if something really is off with the response and you're feeling unsatisfied with them relative to your C208, then I think you've already decided if you're going to replace them.
 
Based on Stereophile's measurements I can't see why the M20 would sound "out of tune" relative to the C208 (or anything really) unless something is going wrong with the driver(s) and/or crossover. If you can't or don't want to measure the response from the M20 drivers to verify if something really is off with the response and you're feeling unsatisfied with them relative to your C208, then I think you've already decided if you're going to replace them.

Bingo :p
What are you seeing the measurements that may be contributing?

- Rich
 
What are you seeing the measurements that may be contributing?
I'm sorry I'm not understanding what you're asking?
 
I'm sorry I'm not understanding what you're asking?
My bad, I misread your response. I agree the measurements look pretty good.
What I heard was strings that sound off and the treble sounds exaggerated.

The gear is:

ATV4K -> Denon AVR x3700h (amps Off) -> ATI AT525NC (Hypex NCore) -> M20s & C208.

- Rich
 
What I heard was strings that sound off and the treble sounds exaggerated.
You didn't have this impression before you replaced the center?
 
You didn't have this impression before you replaced the center?
I did, but C30 was a mess. We could not hear dialog well.
The HT with the C208 in place now presents clear dialog.

We listened to shows that were dialog centric with the mains and surrounds delivering the score, for example, Slow Horses on Apple TV+.
Levels were balanced, but the M20s where a bit shouty.

- Rich
 
However, I suspect those tweeters had ferrofluid cooled motors. That ferrofluid may have dried out. That would impact treble to some degree.
Good call. From the manual:

1732665995789.png


Given that the C30 was having problems and used likely the same tweeter, your M20s might be in the process of failing in a similar way.
 
How long are crossovers expected to last?
I'd like to system to go for at least 15 more years.
I tend to see folks start to complain about speakers “not sounding right” after about 20 years. It’s usually ferrofluid and/or electrolytic caps that are the culprit. Surrounds may also become problematic depending upon material and UV exposure. That doesn’t mean at 20 years your speakers will fail, it only means that I rarely see speakers <20yrs have any age related problems.
 
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