Buying used/vintage Martin Logan speakers


I have a desire to acquire a good pair of used ML loudspeakers but had some issues with a pair of the original Aerius when they first came out.  The panels failed just before the warranty expired (when does that ever happen?) and I had them replaced.  I sold them to a friend who used them for no more than 2 years and, at that time, the panels were sounding muted with an obvious loss of top end extension.  Unfortunately, he had a fire at his home and the Logans were destroyed. 

I would like to get a pair of the larger Logan hybrids but am concerned about panel life and I've heard that the price of replacement panels has skyrocketed.  Are older Logans worth purchasing?  I'm thinking of Quests/Requests/Monoliths.  Thanks for any input.
lcherepkai

Showing 1 response by georgehifi

+infinity for ESL's.

I love them, tried/listened to just about any else but I always come back to ESL's.

I now own the Monolith III's with the "new then" (2008) aluminium vapour deposited panels which Jim Power sent me. I use far better bass drivers than the original Eminence ones, which did the job, but are poor quality and had a one note'ish bass.

Never leave them powered up, just turn them on 1hr before listening they come up to charge surprisingly quick (listenable straight away), they do sound their best after a couple of hours.
 
Vacuum the un-powered panels both sides every month or so, they will last forever? They do loose a little efficiency (charge voltage) on humid days >70%, mine are 10 years old now and still perfect.

Cheers George