Used Martin Logans

I bought the SL3s in 1995 as my first pair of ‘high end’ speakers. They served as my main audio speakers until 2011 when demo Dynaudio Sapphires displaced them. I still own the SL3s (and the ML Logos center). The Sapphires were traded away in 1996 for superior set of smaller speakers which I will be keeping.

I was thrilled by the SL3s clarity and decent bass as a much younger and far less experienced listener. I learned over the years and wanted more than the SL3s could provide as I became a better listener. That’s why I bought the Sapphires, and then in ‘16 the more sophisticated, used D2s.

The SL3s were revealing of amplification and I needed to be careful with the match. I had to part with a nice Threshold T-200 power amp years ago because the pairing drove you out of the room. (The Sapphires would probably have loved it.) Back then I enjoyed the SL3s for audio, and even now they’ll do fine. With the Logos electrostatic/hybrid center, the three could make up my front wall for the home theater.

All said, for musical purposes, you could probably find a better, more well-rounded pair of used speakers for $1500, I guess; it may well depend on taste. Good luck.

ML’s electrostats are the only curvilinear planar speakers I’ve ever seen or heard. Their curvilinear design translates to line source imaging—the holy grail for image freaks like me. I have a pair of ML’s least costly model (EM SLs) coupled with a single ML Dynamo 800 powered sub. And although they may fall short in shear volume output, they do just fine in my small listening room.

In short, I wouldn’t trade them for any speaker system at anywhere near the $3,100 I paid for my factory sealed samples.

Where is this " see a ton of Martin Logan speakers for sale at about $1500."

I just see 1 page of assorted ML’s? There is a handful of lower end entry level models, is that a "ton?"

I picked up a pair of Theos not long ago, when there wasn’t any listings for them. There is a pair right now for a REALLY good price.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisabc9j-martin-logan-theos-zebra-finish-full-range
Perfect for someone like myself, who is just curious about the ML sound in their setup. Great speaker for the money. The seller has dropped price a couple of times.

"They are hard to drive because of their impedance dip in the treble so you need a superamp that can drive sub 1 ohm loads in the treble but if you can manage that then they are worth the time and effort to get one but you will lose some body to the music because of their electrostatic nature."

All that stated above may be "technical rule" on paper, but subjectively, they sound fine on both my $250 Receiver from 2002 and my 70 watt tube amp. They are not hard to drive.

What is missing is the lowest bass, but subs take care of that. I could live with the ML sound, but it would be the current Renaissance/Impression level $$.

Going back to my sealed cabinet Operas. Anyone ML curious? Perfect gloss black-beautiful to look at and hear.

They are hard to drive because of their impedance dip in the treble so you need a superamp that can drive sub 1 ohm loads in the treble but if you can manage that then they are worth the time and effort to get one but you will lose some body to the music because of their electrostatic nature.

Actually are very few of the higher end Martin Logan's on the market. People tend to hold on to them a long time.

I have owned upper evolution series dual powered woofers 
you unplug panels and vacuum once a month rule of thumb
xover parts are average at best ,I modded them  and after sold them this was my 2nd or 1st was the request , a bit to polite on top sound labs is 👑 king of stats they have detail and punch 
but are Big .  Buy a spatial audio labs x3 or x5 are great stat like speakers being very good open baffle speakers .

I’m not saying they’re not worth it.  I don’t know much about the brand.  It’s just interesting that there seems to be a glut on the market.  Is there a “trade in-Trade up special”?  Maybe they made a TON of a model or two & just by the numbers there’ll be a lot on the market.  Sounds like there’s not a glaring reason.  Thanks everyone.

I bought a pair of Martin Logan SL3 back in 1995.  Paid $3800 (CDN).  Sold them last year for $1200.  I loved them for 25 years, and the fellow that bought them, after listening to them, thought they were worth what he paid.  Maybe that's why there are lots for sale in this price range?  

what wspohn said. their recent higher end models do sound much more coherent.

I have never been all that happy with the integration of the conventional bass driver with the electrostatic panels. There may well be a model out there that does it better than the ones I have listened to. (I own original CLS, all electrostat)

There's a lot of PS Audio gear out there, too. I think both manufacturers make a lot of gear relative to some others, but both have good reputations.

I dont think thin they are that good because my brother had themhttps://hushsms.xyz/

I don't know, it depends on what model but electrostatic panels can get dirty and start arcing. M-L panels can be washed but you still don't want a real old pair. $1500 I think will buy you a 20 year old speaker, I'd want something newer.