New Panel and sad.

[Klirrfaktor]

Hello everyone

I'm a bit at a loss and don't know what to do.
Yesterday I received the replacement panels for my Martin Logan Ascent i.

Unfortunately, the build quality leaves a lot to be desired.
The ML logo is missing at the bottom and the plastic strips
are made of cheap plastic and are no longer the same
Structured like the old panels.

I also wanted to look up the year of production, but couldn't find anything useful under the serial number (NSML 1216).
Are the panels now made in China?
Thank you very much for your help.

Greetings Rolf

 

[JonFo]

Unfortunately, the build quality leaves a lot to be desired.

That's because they are 24 years old.

Here's the decode of your serial number NSML 1216:
N = Ascent
S = Stat Panel
M = 2001
L = December
1216 = unit built that month

Who did you get these from?

 

[Klirrfaktor]

I got them from a dealer and from the general importer.

 

[JonFo]

I got them from a dealer and from the general importer.

Are they New Old Stock (meaning they have been in storage) or used?

Either way glues and other materials degrade over time, so if you paid a significant price for them, I'd return them and insist on new panels.

 

[Klirrfaktor]

Hi Jonathan

I had a friendly telephone conversation with the general importer today.
He saw in the mail with Eric that the question was answered as to whether the panels are stock or newly produced.

He was told that they are newly made.
But why the sticker says NSML 1216 and the coding still matches the ESL Panel Serial Number Decoder, it would mean that they are very old.

The fact that Martin Logan still sell such old panels as new irritates me a lot, also that the plastic side panels are so cheaply made and the beautiful ML logo at the bottom center is missing.

I have not yet received an answer from Eric and I am curious to see what he thinks.
I'm very disappointed and don't feel like listening to music.

Greetings from Switzerland
Rolf

 

[Jazzman53]

I could be wrong but I seem to recall reading a post about ML committing to support their out-of-production speakers by building new replacement panels upon request.

If so; one has to wonder whether those panels were sourced from ML.

 

[JonFo]

He was told that they are newly made.

By whom? I guess not the factory in the US, maybe some EU distributor?

The Serial Number decoder is posted here: https://www.martinloganowners.com/threads/esl-panel-serial-number-decoder.20216/

 

[JonFo]

I could be wrong but I seem to recall reading a post about ML committing to support their out-of-production speakers by building new replacement panels upon request.

Correct. They are committed to continuing to offer replacement panels for as many models as possible and for as long as possible.
They are made in batches, so one might wait a month or two before they are made.

 

[Klirrfaktor]

I don't know who makes the panels, I was hoping ML themselves, but I'm getting more and more doubtful.
I wonder what Eric from ML thinks about these replacement panels? I have to pay the equivalent of 2441 dollars with shipping, so I expect an equivalent replacement, or what do you think?
I have also taken a photo of the sticker on the box. The packaging looks like original ML.