Magnepans or...Martin Logan

I have owned Magnepans and ESL's exclusively since 1973. Both sound much better to my ears than anything else.

I have owned ML hybrid speakers, in fact, still have them in my home theatre. But not for music. The crossover distortion (at 250Hz) bothers me a lot. So does the disconnect between cone sound and ESL panel sound: the ESL panels are very accurate and fast, the cones sluggish and ugly. In my opinion. In my system. In my room.

Magnepans tend to sound a lot more integrated, and this is especially important for acoustic music like folk. Also, they are a whole lot simpler than ESL's. ESL's have (1) high voltage supplies (2) step up transformers and (3) protection circuits, none of which are used in Magnepans.

More things can go wrong with ESL's. And if you try and fix them yourself, well, ESL's can kill you 2 ways if you don't know what you are doing. So bring your will up to date first.

If you are far from a qualified high voltage technician, I suggest Magnepan speakers over any ESL's, but especially over ML hybrids. But be aware, some people just don't like either Magnepans or ESL's; exactly how that can be beats me, but I know it's true. Something to keep in mind.

Good Luck!

PS: I have used Quad ESL's for years now.

OP, I have the Magnepan LRS and frankly it's bass is lacking without subwoofers.  I use two REL T5i at $599 each plus the $715 for the LRS still puts you under 2k.  Unless you have about 150 good clean watts a side to deliver to the LRS into 4 ohms I'd probably go a different direction.  No clue on ML sound.  The LRS are nice with my tube preamp and about 250 watts a side monoblocks.  The LRS may be tough to ship to Chile, and Magnepan is just lucky they weren't damaged more.  Their box while OK is something Fed Ex will put a hole in just about every time.  At least each speaker also is in a box and was OK.

I have owned both Maggies and MLs, Reality doesn’t match the hype or the reviews. Emerald Physics is open baffle, but with ample bass and much better integration of drivers AND they are easy loads to drive

+1 for Emerald Physics, BUT- ask them to pack more securely, than they do for domestic shipping. That’s after four decades of owning planars(Acoustat and Magnepan).