In this review, we will be comparing Motion C10 and RC-64 III, two Passive Center Channel speakers from MartinLogan and Klipsch. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion C10 and Klipsch RC-64 III first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the MartinLogan Motion C10 and Klipsch RC-64 III 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 Motion C10 and Klipsch RC-64 III 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 C10 and RC-64 III are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
MartinLogan Motion C10 |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
1-3/4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 5.5-inch
|
4 x 6.5-inch
|
Motion C10 features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Ribbon Tweeter and 2 x 5.5" Woven Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1000Hz and 2000Hz. On the other hand, the RC-64 III features a 1-3/4" titanium Tractrix horn Tweeter and 4 x 6.5" Cerametallic cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
Motion C10 has a frequency range of 63-25k Hz whereas RC-64 III has a frequency range of 57-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the RC-64 III can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion C10's min frequency of 63Hz.
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 C10 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the RC-64 III 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 C10 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Motion C10 sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the RC-64 III's is rated at 99 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Klipsch RC-64 III a more sensitive speaker compared to MartinLogan Motion C10, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
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
RC-64 III features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Motion C10 has a Custom 5-way binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Motion C10's and Klipsch RC-64 III's external dimensions. MartinLogan Motion C10 has external dimensions of 184 x 483 x 293mm ( 7-1/4inch x 19inch x 11-1/2inch ) whereas Klipsch RC-64 III has external dimensions of 204.0 x 909.0 x 388.0mm ( 8 x 35-3/4 x 15-1/4inch) .
Klipsch RC-64 III is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 426mm wider, 20mm taller and 95mm deeper than MartinLogan Motion C10.
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 Motion C10 is approximately 1415.2cm2 / 219.4inch2 and base area of the Klipsch RC-64 III is approximately 3526.9cm2 / 546.7inch2. The Motion C10 requires 60% less surface area than the RC-64 III 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 Motion C10 weighs 10.70kg / 23.5lbs and the Klipsch RC-64 III weighs 25.00kg / 55lbs. This makes the RC-64 III 134% heavier than the Motion C10.
Here is a comparison of how Motion C10 and RC-64 III'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 Klipsch RC-64 III?
Here are the items that come with the RC-64 III:
Center channel loudspeakerGrille6 Self-adhesive rubber feet2 Jumpers (pre-installed)Owners Manual
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
184mm
vs
204mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1415cm2 (483x293mm)
vs
3526cm2 (909x388mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Sensitivity |
99 dB
vs
93 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
63 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Price per pair* |
1829USD
vs
1998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
MartinLogan Motion® C10 |
Klipsch RC-64 III |
Brand |
MartinLogan |
Klipsch |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
20-200 watts |
up to 200 watts |
Sensitivity |
93 dB |
99 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
63-25k Hz |
57-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
Woofer Size |
5.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Woven Fiberglass |
Cerametallic cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
1.0 x 1.4" |
1-3/4" |
Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion Ribbon |
Tractrix horn |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
N/A" |
Crossover Frequency |
1000Hz and 2000Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
184.0mm (7.2") |
204.0mm (8") |
Width |
483.0mm (19") |
909.0mm (35.8") |
Depth |
293.0mm (11.5") |
388.0mm (15.3") |
Weight |
10.70kg (23.5lbs) |
25.00kg (55lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
Finish |
n/a |
furniture grade veneer |
Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Walnut, and Satin White |
Walnut |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |