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.

 

[Robert D]

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.

Have you contacted ML directly through email about this? I would verify with them. The shipping label shows it coming directly to your home from ML, or did it go somewhere intermediate in-between?

 

[Klirrfaktor]

I was told by the importer that these were original panels manufactured in Kansas on December 2024.
The surface has been slightly modified, the service department said.
I have taken a few pictures to show what is bothering me.
I don't understand why a company would leave its trademark off the product!
Greetings
Rolf

 

[Robert D]

I was told by the importer that these were original panels manufactured in Kansas on December 2024.
The surface has been slightly modified, the service department said.
I have taken a few pictures to show what is bothering me.
I don't understand why a company would leave its trademark off the product!
Greetings
Rolf

My replacement Prodigy panels don't have the ML emblem on them. I don't recall the original having it either. I don't really care personally, I just care about sound.

The only thing about your new panels that concerns me is that serial number. Did you ask ML service about the serial number?

 

[Klirrfaktor]

This is an excerpt from the email correspondence between Martin Logan and the importer.

“Here is some more information for your customer.

As a reference for the plastic extrusion parts, the materials used are the same and are from the same supplier we have been using for 25 years when this model was current. The material is the same, the finish has only changed slightly.

The legend they use to determine 24 years is very old and outdated.

About this serial number:

- The first two letters are the product code
- The third letter is the year
- The fourth letter is the month
- the last four digits are the month and day on which the plate was manufactured.

We are now in the year “N” and the month “C”.

This plate was made in December 2024.

Please let me know if you have any questions."



My personal questions were not answered. I once had an email correspondence with an Eric.
To be honest, I think that's a bit of a shame.
I also find the serial number thing a bit suspect.

I can only trust what ML says, I have no other choice.

 

[Robert D]

This is an excerpt from the email correspondence between Martin Logan and the importer.

“Here is some more information for your customer.

As a reference for the plastic extrusion parts, the materials used are the same and are from the same supplier we have been using for 25 years when this model was current. The material is the same, the finish has only changed slightly.

The legend they use to determine 24 years is very old and outdated.

About this serial number:

- The first two letters are the product code
- The third letter is the year
- The fourth letter is the month
- the last four digits are the month and day on which the plate was manufactured.

We are now in the year “N” and the month “C”.

This plate was made in December 2024.

Please let me know if you have any questions."



My personal questions were not answered. I once had an email correspondence with an Eric.
To be honest, I think that's a bit of a shame.
I also find the serial number thing a bit suspect.

I can only trust what ML says, I have no other choice.

ML is a honorable company from my personal experience. They greatly honored my warranty of a BF 210 sub by giving me a brand new sub free of any charge. Ron there spent hours with me on the phone, helping me out.
I HIGHLY doubt they are lying to you. From my experience, ML is a great company and I trust them 100%.

 

[Klirrfaktor]

Hi Robert.

Before I read your reply, I received an e-mail from Eric, a service employee of ML, to whom I wrote at the very beginning.

He has now confirmed to me again that the panels are new and were produced by Martin Logan KS.

I didn't assume that they weren't new and I don't trust ML to do so either. Since I need a translator to write here, I unfortunately got the impression that I don't trust ML.

But that was never my intention and I think the whole history and development of ML, starting in a garage and up to now, is so ingenious and cool.
I still have a Cinema i and Depth
If I need new speakers again, I'll definitely go for ML again!

I think I'd rather listen to music again now and enjoy the fantastic sound.

Thank you and everyone who took the time to help me.

Best regards from Switzerland.
Rolf

 

[msimanyi]

Rolf, after you install the new panels - or have them installed - please report back to us how they're working for you.

I expect you will be thrilled, again, with the performance.

 

[Jeff Zaret]

Hi Robert.

Before I read your reply, I received an e-mail from Eric, a service employee of ML, to whom I wrote at the very beginning.

He has now confirmed to me again that the panels are new and were produced by Martin Logan KS.

I didn't assume that they weren't new and I don't trust ML to do so either. Since I need a translator to write here, I unfortunately got the impression that I don't trust ML.

But that was never my intention and I think the whole history and development of ML, starting in a garage and up to now, is so ingenious and cool.
I still have a Cinema i and Depth
If I need new speakers again, I'll definitely go for ML again!

I think I'd rather listen to music again now and enjoy the fantastic sound.

Thank you and everyone who took the time to help me.

Best regards from Switzerland.
Rolf

Rolf,
I just replaced my CLS panels and they did not come with a decal. When I replaced them 17 years ago they did. I asked about the decal and they said they do not have them anymore. The good news the panels still sound great.
Good Luck