In this review, we will be comparing Motion 15i and Motion LX16, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by MartinLogan Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan 15i and MartinLogan LX16 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Motion 15i and Motion LX16 are members of MartinLogan's Motion series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
MartinLogan Motion Series History
What size room are the MartinLogan 15i and MartinLogan LX16 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the MartinLogan 15i and MartinLogan LX16 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Motion 15i and Motion LX16 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
MartinLogan 15i |
MartinLogan LX16 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Motion 15i features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz. On the other hand, the Motion LX16 features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2700Hz.
Frequency Response
Motion 15i and Motion LX16 has exactly the same frequency range of 60-25k Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Motion 15i and Motion LX16 have the same Impedance of 5 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 92 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Motion 15i and Motion LX16 has the same power range of 20-200 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Motion 15i features Custom 5-way binding posts type posts and Motion LX16 has a Custom 5-way binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan 15i's Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts terminals
MartinLogan LX16's Custom 5-way binding posts terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Motion 15i and Motion LX16 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare MartinLogan 15i's and MartinLogan LX16's external dimensions. MartinLogan 15i has external dimensions of 290.0 x 173.0 x 240.0mm ( 11.4 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) whereas MartinLogan LX16 has external dimensions of 280.0 x 165.0 x 242.0mm ( 11.0 x 6.4 x 9.5inch) .
MartinLogan LX16 is 8mm narrower and 10mm shorter than MartinLogan 15i but it is also 2mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of MartinLogan 15i and MartinLogan LX16 in scale.
Comparison image of MartinLogan 15i and MartinLogan LX16 Size and External Dimensions
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 MartinLogan 15i is approximately 415.2cm2 / 64.4inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan LX16 is approximately 399.3cm2 / 61.9inch2. The Motion 15i requires 4% more surface area than the Motion LX16 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of MartinLogan 15i and MartinLogan LX16 on a Media Console
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 MartinLogan 15i weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs and the MartinLogan LX16 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs.
Here is a comparison of how Motion 15i and Motion LX16's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 15i?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Motion 15i:
Bookshelf loudspeaker Grille 4 Rubber feet Users Manual Warranty/Registration Information
What's in the Box of MartinLogan LX16?
Here are the items that come with the Motion LX16:
Bookshelf loudspeakerMagnetic grille4 Rubber bumpersUser's Manual (En/Fr)
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
280mm
vs
290mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
399cm2 (165x242mm)
vs
415cm2 (173x240mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion 15i |
MartinLogan Motion LX16 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-200 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
5 ohms |
5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-25k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0 x 1.4" |
1.0 x 1.4" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion |
Folded Motion |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2700Hz |
2700Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
290.0mm (11.4") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Width |
173.0mm (6.8") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
240.0mm (9.4") |
242.0mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
Piano Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Cherry (dark) |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
3/18-16 threaded insert |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
28-31" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Yrs w/Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Yrs w/Registration |