In this review, we will be comparing Verus V8B Bookshelf and Motion 35XTi, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Aperion and MartinLogan.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf and MartinLogan 35XTi first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf | MartinLogan 35XTi |
|---|
| Brand | Aperion
United States · founded 1998 | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" | 1.25 x 2.4" Folded Motion XT |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" | 6.5" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 30-35k Hz | 50-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-150 Watts watts | 20-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 12.70kg / 27.9lbs | 8.40kg / 18.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17" x 10.6" x 13"
431.8 x 269.2 x 330.2mm | 13.5" x 7.5" x 11.8"
343.0 x 192.0 x 300.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf and MartinLogan 35XTi speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf |
MartinLogan 35XTi |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Average |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Verus V8B Bookshelf and Motion 35XTi are 2-way speakers.
Aperion Verus V8B BookshelfMartinLogan 35XTi
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf |
MartinLogan 35XTi |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Verus V8B Bookshelf features a 1.1" Tweeter and 1 x 8" Woofer. On the other hand, the Motion 35XTi features a 1.25 x 2.4" Folded Motion XT Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
Verus V8B Bookshelf has a frequency range of 30-35k Hz whereas Motion 35XTi has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 30Hz, the Verus V8B Bookshelf can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion 35XTi's min frequency of 50Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Verus V8B Bookshelf is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Motion 35XTi which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Motion 35XTi can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Verus V8B Bookshelf sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Motion 35XTi's is rated at 92 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 35XTi a more sensitive speaker compared to Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Verus V8B Bookshelf can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Motion 35XTi has a max power handling value of 250 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Verus V8B Bookshelf.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Motion 35XTi features Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Verus V8B Bookshelf has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan 35XTi's Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf's and MartinLogan 35XTi's external dimensions. Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf has external dimensions of 431.8 x 269.2 x 330.2mm (17 x 10.6 x 13inch) whereas MartinLogan 35XTi has external dimensions of 343.0 x 192.0 x 300.0mm (13.5 x 7.5 x 11.8inch).
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 77.2mm wider, 88.8mm taller and 30.2mm deeper than MartinLogan 35XTi.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf needs about 54% more floor or shelf area. Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf is 30mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf is 89mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf is approximately 888.9cm2 / 137.8inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 35XTi is approximately 576.0cm2 / 89.3inch2. The Verus V8B Bookshelf requires 54% more surface area than the Motion 35XTi which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf weighs 12.70kg / 27.9lbs and the MartinLogan 35XTi weighs 8.40kg / 18.5lbs. This makes the Verus V8B Bookshelf 51% heavier than the Motion 35XTi.
Here is a comparison of how Verus V8B Bookshelf and Motion 35XTi's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 35XTi?
Here are the items that come with the Motion 35XTi:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Users Manual
- Warranty/Registration Information
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
250 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
30 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
343mm
vs
431mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
576cm2
vs
888cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1500USD
vs
1549USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf |
MartinLogan Motion 35XTi |
| Brand |
Aperion |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-150 Watts watts |
20-250 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
30-35k Hz |
50-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.25 x 2.4" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Folded Motion XT |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
431.8mm (17") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
269.2mm (10.6") |
192.0mm (7.6") |
| Depth |
330.2mm (13") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Weight |
12.70kg (27.9lbs) |
8.40kg (18.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf digs deeper - 30Hz against 50Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | MartinLogan 35XTi is more sensitive (92dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (300W vs 250W). |
| Size | depends | MartinLogan 35XTi is easier to place; Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | MartinLogan 35XTi: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,549 vs $1,500 a pair). |
A Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf B MartinLogan 35XTi
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 50Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Aperion Verus V8B Bookshelf the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and MartinLogan 35XTi for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.