In this review, we will be comparing Motion 8i and Motion 6i, two Passive Center Channel speakers by MartinLogan
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan 8i and MartinLogan 6i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
MartinLogan 8i Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter
- 2 x 4" poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps Woofer
- 70-23k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:20-180watts
- Weight:3.86kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 142.0" x 22-1/8" x 5-1/4"( 142.0 x 562.0 x 134.0mm )
MartinLogan 6i Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.0 x 1.0" Folded Motion Tweeter
- 2 x 3.5" poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps Woofer
- 120-23k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:20-130watts
- Weight:2.59kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 134.0" x 17-1/2" x 4"( 134.0 x 445.0 x 102.0mm )
Motion 8i and Motion 6i 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 8i and MartinLogan 6i 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* |
MartinLogan 8i |
MartinLogan 6i |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the MartinLogan 8i and MartinLogan 6i 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 8i and Motion 6i are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
MartinLogan 8i |
MartinLogan 6i |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
1.0 x 1.0-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
2 x 3.5-inch
|
Motion 8i features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter and 2 x 4" poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps Woofer . On the other hand, the Motion 6i features a 1.0 x 1.0" Folded Motion Tweeter and 2 x 3.5" poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps Woofer .
Frequency Response
Motion 8i has a frequency range of 70-23k Hz whereas Motion 6i has a frequency range of 120-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 70Hz, the Motion 8i can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion 6i's min frequency of 120Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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 8i is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Motion 6i which has a nominal impedance of 6 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 8i can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 89 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 8i can handle a max power of 180 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Motion 6i has a max power handling value of 130 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Motion 8i.
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 8i features Spring post type posts and Motion 6i has a Spring post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan 8i's Spring post terminals
MartinLogan 6i's Spring post terminals
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 8i's and MartinLogan 6i's external dimensions. MartinLogan 8i has external dimensions of 142.0 x 562.0 x 134.0mm ( 5-9/16 x 22-1/8 x 5-1/4inch) whereas MartinLogan 6i has external dimensions of 134.0 x 445.0 x 102.0mm ( 5-1/4 x 17-1/2 x 4inch) .
MartinLogan 8i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 117mm wider, 8mm taller and 32mm deeper than MartinLogan 6i.
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 8i is approximately 753.1cm2 / 116.7inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 6i is approximately 453.9cm2 / 70.4inch2. The Motion 8i requires 66% more surface area than the Motion 6i 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 MartinLogan 8i weighs 3.86kg / 8.5lbs and the MartinLogan 6i weighs 2.59kg / 5.7lbs. This makes the Motion 8i 49% heavier than the Motion 6i.
Here is a comparison of how Motion 8i and Motion 6i's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 8i?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Motion 8i:
LCR loudspeakerGrille2 Wall-bracket2 Shoulder bolts4 Rubber bumpersCleaning clothUser-feets Manual (En/Fr)Installation templateProduct Registration Card
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 6i?
Here are the items that come with the Motion 6i:
LCR loudspeakerGrille2 Wall-bracket2 Shoulder bolts4 Rubber bumpersCleaning clothUser-feets Manual (En/Fr)Installation templateProduct Registration Card
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
130 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
4 inches
vs
3.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
70 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
134mm
vs
142mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
453cm2
vs
753cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
450USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion 8i |
MartinLogan Motion 6i |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-180 watts |
20-130 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
70-23k Hz |
120-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
3.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps |
poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0 x 1.4" |
1.0 x 1.0" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion |
Folded Motion |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| 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 |
142.0mm (5.6") |
134.0mm (5.3") |
| Width |
562.0mm (22.1") |
445.0mm (17.5") |
| Depth |
134.0mm (5.3") |
102.0mm (4") |
| Weight |
3.86kg (8.5lbs) |
2.59kg (5.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Passive Radiator |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |