In this review, we will be comparing Motion 8i and ES35, two Passive Center Channel speakers from MartinLogan and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan 8i and Polk ES35 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the MartinLogan 8i and Polk ES35 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 8i and Polk ES35 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both Motion 8i and ES35 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
MartinLogan 8i |
Polk ES35 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
6 x 3-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 ES35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 6 x 3" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer .
Frequency Response
Motion 8i has a frequency range of 70-23k Hz whereas ES35 has a frequency range of 66-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 66Hz, the ES35 can go slightly deeper then the Motion 8i's min frequency of 70Hz.
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 ES35 which has a nominal impedance of 8 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 ES35 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 30 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 5-Way post type posts and ES35 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan 8i's Spring post terminals
Polk ES35's 5-Way post terminals
Polk ES35 Port
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 Polk ES35'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 Polk ES35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 154.0mm ( 4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 6-1/16inch) .
MartinLogan 8i is 59mm narrower and 20mm less deeper than Polk ES35 but it is also 35mm 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 MartinLogan 8i is approximately 753.1cm2 / 116.7inch2 and base area of the Polk ES35 is approximately 956.3cm2 / 148.2inch2. The Motion 8i requires 21% less surface area than the ES35 which gives it a small advantage 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 Polk ES35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs. This makes the ES35 65% heavier than the Motion 8i.
Here is a comparison of how Motion 8i and ES35'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 Polk ES35?
Here are the items that come with the ES35:
LCR loudspeakerGrille (attached)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetWall-mount templateOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
 Max Input Power |
180 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
4 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
753cm2 (562x134mm)
vs
956cm2 (621x154mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Number of Woofers |
6
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
66 Hz
vs
70 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
142mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
450USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion 8i |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
20-180 watts |
20-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
70-23k Hz |
66-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
6 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
3" |
| Woofer Composition |
poly cone woofers with rigid dust caps |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0 x 1.4" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
N/A" |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
142.0mm (5.6") |
107.0mm (4.2") |
| Width |
562.0mm (22.1") |
621.0mm (24.4") |
| Depth |
134.0mm (5.3") |
154.0mm (6.1") |
| Weight |
3.86kg (8.5lbs) |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Years |