Martin Logan Owners

zingo

Please chime in other Martin Logan owners with your experience pertaining to panel life. My speakers are a little over two years old, I had to replaced one of the panels two months ago because it had low output, and I think the other panel has the same issue now. I have to give major credit to Martin Logan customer service as they helped me troubleshoot and replace the last stat panel, are helping me with this current one, and everything is covered under warranty.

After I get this one fixed, if there is in fact a problem, is this just a game I'll be playing until the warranty runs out? Has anyone else had this problem? I know that some audiophiles have had a pair of Martin Logans for 10 or 20 years, and I would assume that they aren't replacing the panels every two years. I know that environmental issues can shorten the life of stat panels, but the weather here in Seattle isn't humid, or dusty, or too hot, etc. I vacuum them about every month after unplugging them for a night, and don't over drive them. They are connected to my power center, so I know a surge can't get to them, nor could they be effected by low or high line voltage.

Has anyone else had this experience? I am addicted to the sound of planar speakers now, so maybe Magnepan is a low maintenance option for a similar sound?

Thanks for the help and thoughts...

Dawgfish

Environmental issues are one of the main reasons I no longer run MLs. I just couldn't keep the listening area I had at the time dust free enough to not have issues with them. I had Sequell IIs. I have not heard Maggies(would love to hear them), but I think them or some Carver Amazings may be a good lower maintanance alternative to the MLs.

Another alternative would be some of the ZU almost full range designs. They have a sound that is somewhat panel like with ultra quick transients. They are definitely the closest thing I've found to a panel speaker in a box design.

zingo

I went to Definitive Audio yesterday and got to demo a pair of Magnepan 1.7s powered by an NAD C725BEE receiver. The sound of the speakers was very good, even without a subwoofer, and interestingly comparable to my Martin Logans. It is a different sound that is hard to describe, but both do sound like panels, so if someone doesn't like one designs, they probably wouldn't like the other. The Maggies are much bigger than the MLs, but have a nice look about them on their own.

You are right that ribbon speakers may be a good alternative, but do have a different sound that I don't think is quite as good in the few versions I have heard.

falconcry72

What model ML's do you have?

I think Maggies sound a lot different than ML's. In my comparisons, the electrostats of the ML's have better treble, the ribbons of the Maggies have a better midrange, and the bass of the Maggies is better integrated... but a ML model with a good powered woofer will have more output and extension.

If you're looking for that super articulate treble like the ML's, you should look at the Magnepan models that use the true ribbon tweeter... it's a big step up from the quasi-ribbon that's in the 1.7's. The current models with the true ribbon are the 3.7 and the 20.7, but the last generation 3.6 and 20.1 are also awesome, and commonly available on the used market.

A used pair of 3.6's is the best bang for your buck of the Maggie true ribbons. The bass on the 3.6's also extends lower than the 1.7's, but the 1.7's sound punchier.


As a side note, I'm surprised they were running the 1.7's on a 50 watt receiver. That's a well regarded receiver, but those Maggies are 4ohm nominal and have a low 86db sensitivity, so they really benefit from power. I guess if it works it works!

zingo

I was surprised by the amplification as well, but the speakers weren't set-up when I get there, so the store set them up quickly assembled a rig for my demo.

I agree that the sound of the the Maggies and the MLs are not the same, but a lot more similar than a dynamic box speaker; similar kind of sound.

zingo

The good news is I have a new stat panel on the way thanks to ML's unbeatable customer service. Hopefully I'll have the panel by the end of the week and get it installed, which should balance my sound stage again. I'll now have two new panels on the speakers, so I should have no panel issues as I don't smoke and only burn our gas fireplace. Hopefully this will solve my issues and I'll have a great sounding pair of Martin Logans for years to come...

polkfarmboy

I just read the thread, when replacing older panels its usually 2 at time if they were not brand new

zingo

Thanks and I agree. The ML rep told me when I replaced the first panel a few months ago that I didn't need to replace the "good" panel as it was only two years old. That was fine with me as it sounded good and two years of wear shouldn't be much. However, obviously there was some issue as both panels have now failed, whether that was environmental or build quality. Since I know I keep them in good condition and in a good environment, maybe there was a bad run on panels went these were build, or who knows...

I've very happy with Martin Logan customer service, but if these panels fail, I may be looking elsewhere for a pair of speakers with more reliable technology.

polkfarmboy

With my stats I like to put the plastic cover over them and then the material sleeve over that so it does not look so getto

zingo

Plastic cover? Material sleeve? I could shrink wrap them when they're not in use...

polkfarmboy

When you get the speakers out the box they should have some fabric sleeve with a ML logo to cover them up when not in use. They do have a big plastic sleeve over that fabric so I put the plastic on then the ML sleeve. The panels attract alotof dust in the air when they are powered up and that charge remains in them a while after you unplug so those are the crucial moments you need protection the most

SCompRacer

I dunno, being a common problem you would think they would have done something about it.

Not my cat or speakers, but I have ESL hybrid speakers like these with the Ultrastat panels (InnerSound MK III's). And our cat does get on my speakers like that to get my attention. The designer says other than possible scratches from claws, no worries.



Roger Sanders had found a superior coating to his previous panel designs and found a way to embed the coating. His Ultrastat panels with high-value insulating material covered stators are "Immune to dust, dirt, humidity, insects, pet fur, and foreign objects."

polkfarmboy

Wonder when sanders will come out with some other speakers to make a killer ht setup

SCompRacer

I may see Roger next weekend and will ask.

zingo

falconcry72 wrote: »

If you're looking for that super articulate treble like the ML's, you should look at the Magnepan models that use the true ribbon tweeter... it's a big step up from the quasi-ribbon that's in the 1.7's. The current models with the true ribbon are the 3.7 and the 20.7, but the last generation 3.6 and 20.1 are also awesome, and commonly available on the used market.

A used pair of 3.6's is the best bang for your buck of the Maggie true ribbons. The bass on the 3.6's also extends lower than the 1.7's, but the 1.7's sound punchier.

Any feeling on the MG IIIa? I may have a lead on a 2 year old rebuilt pair with new cloth and ribbons. I know they are the precursor to the 3.6s, and a true three-way.

falconcry72

zingo wrote: »

Any feeling on the MG IIIa? I may have a lead on a 2 year old rebuilt pair with new cloth and ribbons. I know they are the precursor to the 3.6s, and a true three-way.

Sorry, no experience with those.