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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
8 responses Add your response
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
+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   

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,992 posts
 
I have a friend who has a perfect (and I mean perfect) set of ML Pair of Martin Logan speakers, Paradigm sub woofer, Paradigm canter speaker. Serial # is AEHB270 110V @ 50-60 Hz.  Sound is terrific and they are in excellent shape. Any thoughts on what they're worth? Her husband passed away and I can say with certainty that he paid a small fortune for them back in the day and has never even allowed anyone to touch them. They still sound perfect. Comments?
The serial number of the electronics you listed make them Martin Logan Aerius models.  They were built in February of 1996.  The panels have a different serial number on them.  If the panels have never been replaced, they are well due for it.  They are now 22 years old.

If the panels have been replaced and are within 5-7 years old, I would offer around $700-$800.  If the panels need replacing or repair, then around $200-$300.
lkirby5618
1 posts
 
I have a friend who has a perfect (and I mean perfect) set of ML  Pair of Martin Logan speakers, Paradigm sub woofer, Paradigm canter speaker.  Serial # is AEHB270 110V @ 50-60 Hz.  Sound is terrific and they are in excellent shape. Any thoughts on what they're worth?  Her husband passed away and I can say with certainty that he paid a small fortune for them back in the day and has never even allowed anyone to touch them.  They still sound perfect.  Comments?
lcherepkai OP
280 posts
 
Hi Mofimadness---I'm very surprised to hear about the panel reliability/durability.  My experience with the original Aerius was quite a bit shorter than that.  I'm not a smoker and the environment isn't particularly dusty nor humid.  Maybe I just had a bum pair?  And thanks for the figures on ML replacement panels.  I've heard the Monoliths and ReQuests and wouldn't mind finding a pair but think I'll pass.  There are many fine speakers out there that don't require such and expensive rebuild.  Thanks for everyone's input!
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,992 posts
 
I’ll step in here. I was a Martin Logan dealer for like forever. I have personally owned almost every pair of speakers that Gayle and Ron ever made.

The ESL panels are good for about 12-15 years, then they need to be replaced or refurbed.

The cost of replacement panels from ML skyrocketed after Paradigm took over the manufacturing up in Canada.

In 2009, I replaced my 18 year old CSLIIA panels with new ones from ML. They were $890 plus $30 shipping. They are now almost $3000 for the same thing.

In early 2010 I replaced the panels in a pair of SL3’s for a old customer of mine. They were $600 plus $30 shipping. They are now over $1200.

However, there is an alternative to replacement. Russ Knotts will redo the panels and make them like new for around $400-$600 depending on model, (might be a little more now). Russ does fantastic work. I have heard several of his redone panels and I sure thought they sounded great.

http://eslrepair.com/

Jim Powers did indeed retire from ML a few years ago. What a GREAT dude. He was one of a kind.
minorl
1,016 posts
 

I've owned Martin Logan's for quite some time.

First Sequel II's that I purchased in 1989 and sold to a friend in 1998 and they still sound wonderful in his system. 

I purchased in 1998 a used pair of Martin Logan Monolith III speakers.  I wanted Request speakers, but dealers would not dance on the price of them. So I found these from Chris Moon's high end used equipment service for less than Request.  Why get mid level Martin Logan's when I have top of the line for less.

In 2006 the Monolith IIIs developed an issue.  I contact Jim Powers at Martin Logan and asked me to send him my power supplies and crossovers.  He repaired the power supplies and upgraded both power supplies and crossovers for free.  He said that he didn't think the problem was the power supplies and crossovers and suggested that I replace the panels.  Which I did for much less than normal costs.  He gave me a great deal on new panels.  this was 2006.

I've subsequently replaced the passive crossover with first the Martin Logan electronic crossover. Later I replaced that RCA crossover with a Krell KBX balanced crossover specifically configured with internal circuitry for the Monolith III speakers. 

There is not delays from the woofer/upper panels.  This speaker still beats most speakers out there.  No joke.

I contacted Martin Logan earlier this year.  Jim Powers is no longer there (retired I think), but the service tech told me that I have many years left on my panels and did not recommend replacing them at this time. 

Contact Martin Logan, give them your speaker serial numbers.  Let them tell you if they believe the panels should be replaced, when you describe the sound and system.

The Martin Logan owners web site is also a great help.

Martin Logan to this day still makes each and every panel for all the speakers they have made previously.  That is saying something.

enjoy

maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
I see Logans being sold too frequently that the owners state "new panels" . Great ! they will last a couple more years before they die again ! I have been tempted to buy used Logans ,but have stayed away due to this .
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
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.
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