I pluck my poodle's ears weekly and use Thornit if they are ever red. Occasionally give them a wipe out with ear wipes.
I know that some foods can irritate her ears so avoid them. She is now 3 and only ever had antibiotic drops once - the vet said it was more on the flap than down the ear.

Now her left ear is a bit smelly and red, and there is quite a bit of brown wax. I have never used ear cleaners as I don't want to irritate them but wonder if this wax means I need to add in a cleaner ?

Both my black standards had what you describe but have never needed treatment.  I have cleaned them out well, if in the bath I've washed them out and dried them well with cotton wool and added lots of Thornit, adding more each day for about 5 days.  The waxy deposits dry up and come away in clumps.  I have to confess to plucking continually, even if dogs are standing at my side I'm poking and plucking ears, probably why they sit on my husband and not me!

I can't be of any help really, just to say the routine you use is pretty much same as us. 

I read this article recently which might be of interest to you.

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/7_6/features/Canine-Ear-Infections_5642-1.html

Thanks for posting the article, very interesting & informative.

Very interesting.  Thank you for posting the link.