ML Production moving

[Jungle Jack]

Hello,
Maggies are excellent. I am a huge fan of the 3.6's and think they are an absurd value. I honestly never thought we would have to worry about continued support for our Speakers. With Speakers that are based around a part that is expected to need replacement, it is really hard to believe this is happening.

And in that Thread they spoke of the higher resale value of Maggies because of their continued support. I do not quite understand why some on this Thread feel that to lament loss in resale value because the discontinuation of support of Replacement Panels equates to thinking one purchased their Martin Logans as an investment.

Rather, when I see strong resale value in a Component, it makes me more inclined to purchase it. Martin Logans traditionally high resale value has made it easier for many to upgrade to newer Models that might not otherwise be possible without the proceeds from the sale of past Speakers.

Again, when or if certain Legacy Models no longer have Factory Support, they are going to be practically worthless. Whereas currently 20 year old ML Speakers can still sell for 1000 Dollars plus.
Cheers,
ML

[Gordon Gray]

Originally Posted by robertawillisjr

Read the entire thread.

http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/MU...15/151012.html

I did Robert.

Thanks for sharing.

Pretty much underscores what many folks have been saying.

Mark's observations above, regarding 20 year old ML resale values, are spot on and reinforces the obvious.

One trusts that ML Corporate has also read it, is listening, and will respond accordingly.

GG

[Len44]

Well said, Gordon. I think you articulated quite nicely what virtually every Martin Logan owner is feeling in these worrisome times.

Thanks!

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Rich

Jeff, I meant to respond to this earlier but I forgot. Do you seriously believe this? Certainly this decision would never have been made while Gayle ran the company. Does Roger Sanders still support every speaker he ever made? What about Quad? Soundlabs? Magnepan? Bose?


Ok, I just threw that last one in there to see if you were paying attention. But you get my point.

Hey Rich... to answer your question about Roger, the answer is yes he does.
Sorry about this news for you guys. I hope that it works out OK.
whew... the 514th post! I don't think I've ever posted in a thread this long before... I actually read the whole thing ("mostly" said in my best Cartman voice).

cheers from Colorado,
Ang

[jtwrace]

Maybe Roger can rebuild the panels for you guys if ML stops.

That could be a great business opportunity for Roger. ???

[Angela]

lawdy, we are way too busy over here.

That could be an option for others... outsourcing panels - just have a contract with ML to provide the parts and service (after training).

So can you explain why you have to replace panels anyway?

[robertawillisjr]

Wouldn't it be nice if ML were big enough to produce "new" classics in the manner that McIntosh does with its classic preamps and amps.

[Horchem1972]

Originally Posted by Angela

lawdy, we are way too busy over here.

That could be an option for others... outsourcing panels - just have a contract with ML to provide the parts and service (after training).

So can you explain why you have to replace panels anyway?

I would be curious to know how many panels that Roger has replaced on his full line of speakers since 1974.Please let us know when or if you have a chance.My only problem is who is going to replace his panels or other parts if something should happen to him.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Rich

My concern is that much of what we love about Martin Logan speakers is going to get lost in the process. I have seen it happen with too many companies that have gone through this type of transformation. The individuals that made ML great are going to slowly disappear, one by one, and all that will be left of the old company will be the brand name. The new company will make a greater variety of speakers at all price points and mass-produce the heck out of them. I expect that quality and customer service will both suffer, but who knows? All we can do is wait and watch and see what happens. (And analyze it to death, of course )

Originally Posted by Kccode1

Rich is correct. It started with Gayle in 2005. Now it be Paul or Jeff and the others. Next it will be Jim.

Originally Posted by Steelhead

If Jim Power leaves or is bought out by Shoreview, they are being short sighted.

Originally Posted by Pcar928fan

AMEN FOR THAT! Jim has been SO HELPFUL to ALL of us over the years that I am CERTAIN he is not paid enough! He knows EVERYTHING about every one of the speakers ML has EVER sold! It is AMAZING! Lets hope he and the rest of the Lawrence, KS crew stay with ML...or start another ML beating company we can all know and love!

Originally Posted by Len44

My thoughts exactly!!! And I really like the part about starting another company...

If they lose Jim Power, well, that's pretty well it.

Originally Posted by mosttoysrk

Interesting response I received back from Jim Power.

"As for me, I haven't retired. After 22 years, my position has been 'down-sized'. Some production has moved to Canada and some positions have been eliminated. Melodie & Dana will still be here to help you.
I will take some time off, relax, work on the house and think about what I want to do in the future.
Again, thanks and happy listening!"
jp

'Nuff said!

[C.A.P]

And the dance band played ON !

[Bernard]

Originally Posted by C.A.P

And the dance band played ON !

And the only ones dancing are the bean counters !

[tonepub]

Originally Posted by amey01

But there IS demand because it is a consumable!



Not many. But as Rich said, we all damn straight expect to SELL our speakers when we've finished, not throw them in the rubbish!

More pertinent question is, what percentage of ML's speakers are still in service after 25 years. I'd say close to 100%, save those that have actually been damaged by fire/flood or otherwise specifically written off.

And how would you say that you know this? Have you tracked every pair of ML speakers that have been sold? If you haven't then you can't make this claim.

After all, ML has not said they will stop making replacement panels, they have said that they may not be able to support every single panel they've ever made going forward.

There are a number of speakers that are 10 years old that you can't get drivers for, as well as other companies that have gone out of business. There have also been a number of speaker companies that have charged big bucks for their speakers and then gone under. There are cars that are 10 years old that you can't get parts for anymore!

I think it would be prudent to see what ML speakers will be supported going forward and then decide if you want to stay committed to your speaker or not.

If it doesn't make sense, make a switch while it's still feasible. As for the comment about Sanders still making panels, that's a moot point as they haven't been in business with the current product for that long. We'll see if they are still making parts for the speakers you buy today 25 years from now...

And just as in the automotive aftermarket, if there is that big of a demand for ML panels, someone may be able to step up to the plate making replacements, just as Graz has done with the Apogees. I would try to determine what the most popular ML's are and go from there.

[jshowalter]

Great. I join this thread only to find out that ML, one of the last bastions of quality manufacturing left in America has sold out.

It's just part of an endless trend towards planet-wide mediocrity. A billion cubic miles of big-box stores, without a thing worth buying in any of them.

You know what else moved to Canada? Japanese beer.

It now tastes like Molson, instead of like Japanese beer.