What causes panels to wear out?

[JonFo]

I’m inclined to replace woofers with a spec that will perform comfortably higher into the mids and raise the panel crossover point higher. 350-400range.

The options I mentioned in this earlier post would work well: https://www.martinloganowners.com/threads/what-causes-panels-to-wear-out.20113/post-214190

And if anyone wants some serious mid-bass dynamics, the answer is to deploy an MBM setup, which is straightforward with an 8-channel miniDSP or the six-channel DriveRack Venu360. See: https://www.martinloganowners.com/threads/mbm-deployment.17781/
The MBM is one of the most effective ways to make the system perform in the mid-bass area. Big action movies are a ton of fun, and dance music now has that chest-slam needed to satisfy. However, even classical music and solo piano (my standard) are not overdone and sound natural.

Many ex-ESL owners report returning to Dynamic speakers to regain that mid-bass hit. Had they deployed an MBM, they could have had the best of both worlds.

 

[Chippieboy]

Thanks again JonFo, I'm not sure if 8 Channel is the best option for me as my whole 2 bedroom house is 750 square feet. I just have enough room for 1 ML Sub and the ReQuest are a bit overwhelming in the Living Room. The Sequels fit a bit better but as we know have a 10" woofer vs. the ReQuest has the 12s.
I do have a quick question, based on your previous suggestion, I was going to upgrade the Woofers. I was looking for a Fs close to OEM ML but now reading your post's, I should look for a Woofer that has a high frequency response. Is that true?

 

[JonFo]

I do have a quick question, based on your previous suggestion, I was going to upgrade the Woofers. I was looking for a Fs close to OEM ML but now reading your post's, I should look for a Woofer that has a high frequency response. Is that true?

Yes, you want something that is clean to at least 500Hz. In the active crossover, you can use something like 350Hz 24dB/Octave between the woofer and panel.
If the room is small, then no need to get complicated, one sub should do it, even with the Sequels.

 

[Davioj]

I'm looking to go active crossover, do you have to change wiring in the cabinet when you unhook the old woofer because I'm not sure how to do this.

 

[Tosh]

Yes, you must bypass the passive bass xo (cap and inductor) and connect the woofer directly to the second pair of speaker binding posts.