Best speakers to replace Martin Logan CLS


I am fortunate to have possessed a pair of ML CLS IIz for the last 10 years. They’re in an open living room (extends to kitchen and also the rest of the main floor of the house ~ 1400 sq ft). I love the sound and I listen to a lot of acoustic/jazz. I feel like the more power I feed them the better they sound. They’re being powered by 200W @ 8ohm Monolith amp. I’m also using 3 subs with it with crossover set at 80Hz. Although they sound great but I always worry the panels will go bad at any time due to their age. I do not plan to replace the panels if they go bad, but rather I’d like to replace them with a different pair of similar or better sounding speakers. From what I’ve read, these seem to be the speakers that I might like: Harbeth 40.1(2), Eminent Technology LFT-8b, used Soundlab Majestic 545, used and restored Quad ESL 57. I’ve ruled out Magnepans due to WAF. I almost bought a pair of Apogee Duette Sigs after hearing but backed out due to similar concerns with the CLS (panels will go bad at some point). I’ve also looked at some other speakers like Revel Studio2, Focal Sopra No2, Legacy Audio Focus/Signature, Spatial Audio, but I’m not sure since I’ve never heard them. Budget is up to $10k (prefer to buy used) but probably would like to stay under $5K. Please advise.
128x128vuongp
@vuongp : I should mention, the Valentina was previously called zA2.1, so when you research, you might find reviews under the earlier name. Janszen has recently revised the speaker with larger woofers and improved crossover, but that’s not on the Web site yet.

Robert E Greene review in TAS
Steven Stone review in hifi+
Roger S Gordon review in Positive Feedback

I think this idea of the panels going bad is theoretical. It doesn't really happen. My 20y old aerius 1 sound as good as the day they were born! Keep your existing set and if they do go off key (unlikely) then have ML ML refurb them.  You'll be happy and save money 
@grahamsphillips I hope to keep them as long as they sing. There's an itch once in a while to listen to something different so I might just get another set to have an A & B option or they might go to another room.
vuongp,

RE Pulsars. Suffice to say, it, along with the REL sub, is my last set of speakers. Amazing large sound in a very small physical passage.

For background other components include: Pass Labs 250.5 amp, Conrad Johnson ET5 preamp, Luxman D-06u CDP, and Shunyata Research wire.

I do plan on upgrading to the new mid bass driver this summer.

Good luck with your journey.
My choice is the Emerald Physics 2.8s (TAS Editors Choice Award), which could/should allow you to eliminate the subs.


At ~ 46" tall and 96dB efficient, each speaker has 2 @15" carbon fiber woofers and one 12" carbon fiber mid range with concentric tweeter. MSRP is $10K, including, BUT, if any are left, because they are moving the factory $4999, includes shipping

Over the decades I have had CLSIIs with completely upgraded resistor ladders, Accoustat 2+ 2s, Maggie 3.5Rs (I prefer open baffle) and for the last 3 years, EP KC IIs, with upgraded WireWorld internal wiring and Clarity Cap upgrades, which are amazing for $3K, so I suspect the 2.8s to take their sound to a whole ’nother level of realism