It sounds like you were just unlucky with your ML experience. I currently have a pair of Aerius i speakers that I bought used from an local original owner, made circa 1998, and they sound excellent top to bottom. I'm thinking even if they serve me well a handful of years, they are still worth how much I paid to buy them. May be I just lucked out but the panels should last a long time if not exposed to too much direct sun, humidity, or dust. I actually think the older MLs are the best bang for the buck if you can find a pair locally. With shipping not so much.
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.
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.