DrJRapp
Well-known member
Earlier today I embarrassed myself by posting a cleaning suggestion eslewhere to a user who had already disposed of his MLs.... my bad...that's what happens when you don't read all the way to the end of a thread! Anyway, I decided to repeat what I said in a separate thread so that others may benefit.
Our ES panels sound great ...that is until they build up a microscopic layer dust and all that transparency and airiness just goes totally south. I've read many a thread that recommends vacuuming both sides to mitigate the problem. I also remember awhile ago reading a thread with more detail of how to accomplish this but was unable to find it with the search engine so I'm going to share a technique that was given to me by a repair tech that was sent by ML/Sound Advice to do a warrantee repair on my Summits.
The key is to get rid of the static charge on the mylar panel so that it will readily give up the dust. I've tried other techniques such as unplugging the speakers overnight, or unplugging them and letting them play until the charge runs down, but neither of them get even close to the results that this technique does.
It may seem involved, but it really only adds about 5 mins total to the process.
Once again, these instructions are specific to the Summit, but I am sure that they can be applied, in theory, to most other ML stats...
I vacuum once every two months as follows:
A. Turn off amp, unplug power and speaker cords from the speakers.
B. Using a 5/64" allen key remove the top two screws at the top of the rear backplate...this frees up the top plate which can be then removed exposing a white connector block just behind the stat panel.
C. Using a short piece of insulated wire stripped on both ends ..discharge the stat panel by touching the ends of the wire to the red and blue terminals. The actual contact points are the screws inside each terminal.
D. Reinstall top plate and screws.
OBTW...while you have the top panels off, there are three screws (1/8 allen) on the bracket just ahead of the terminal block...between the block and the panel (the center screw has a ground wire attached). Tighen all three screws as they tend to vibrate loose over time.
F. Thoroughly vacuum both sides of the stat panels...... I make two passes, one horizontal and one vertical. You panels will now get as clean as possible by vacuuming.
G. Rewire and restart.
This method is supposidly ML approved.
Our ES panels sound great ...that is until they build up a microscopic layer dust and all that transparency and airiness just goes totally south. I've read many a thread that recommends vacuuming both sides to mitigate the problem. I also remember awhile ago reading a thread with more detail of how to accomplish this but was unable to find it with the search engine so I'm going to share a technique that was given to me by a repair tech that was sent by ML/Sound Advice to do a warrantee repair on my Summits.
The key is to get rid of the static charge on the mylar panel so that it will readily give up the dust. I've tried other techniques such as unplugging the speakers overnight, or unplugging them and letting them play until the charge runs down, but neither of them get even close to the results that this technique does.
It may seem involved, but it really only adds about 5 mins total to the process.
Once again, these instructions are specific to the Summit, but I am sure that they can be applied, in theory, to most other ML stats...
I vacuum once every two months as follows:
A. Turn off amp, unplug power and speaker cords from the speakers.
B. Using a 5/64" allen key remove the top two screws at the top of the rear backplate...this frees up the top plate which can be then removed exposing a white connector block just behind the stat panel.
C. Using a short piece of insulated wire stripped on both ends ..discharge the stat panel by touching the ends of the wire to the red and blue terminals. The actual contact points are the screws inside each terminal.
D. Reinstall top plate and screws.
OBTW...while you have the top panels off, there are three screws (1/8 allen) on the bracket just ahead of the terminal block...between the block and the panel (the center screw has a ground wire attached). Tighen all three screws as they tend to vibrate loose over time.
F. Thoroughly vacuum both sides of the stat panels...... I make two passes, one horizontal and one vertical. You panels will now get as clean as possible by vacuuming.
G. Rewire and restart.
This method is supposidly ML approved.
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Its the fastest and the sure fire way to do it.
