In this review, we will be comparing Motion SLM and Motion 35XTi, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by MartinLogan.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion SLM and MartinLogan 35XTi first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | MartinLogan Motion SLM | MartinLogan 35XTi |
|---|
| Brand | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1x1.4" Folded Motion Ribbon | 1.25 x 2.4" Folded Motion XT |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" | 6.5" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 110-25k Hz | 50-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-250 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.95kg / 6.5lbs | 8.40kg / 18.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 25-5/16" x 6-7/16" x 1-7/8"
642.9 x 163.5 x 47.6mm | 13.5" x 7.5" x 11.8"
343.0 x 192.0 x 300.0mm |
|---|
Motion SLM and Motion 35XTi are members of MartinLogan's Motion series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
MartinLogan Motion Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Motion SLM and Motion 35XTi are 2-way speakers.
MartinLogan Motion SLMMartinLogan 35XTi
Woofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
MartinLogan Motion SLM |
MartinLogan 35XTi |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1x1.4-inch
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Motion SLM features a 1x1.4" Folded Motion Ribbon Tweeter and 2 x 4" 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
Motion SLM has a frequency range of 110-25k Hz whereas Motion 35XTi has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the Motion 35XTi can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion SLM's min frequency of 110Hz.
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
Motion SLM and Motion 35XTi have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Motion SLM sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the Motion 35XTi's is at 92 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Motion SLM a more sensitive speaker compared to MartinLogan 35XTi, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Motion SLM and the Motion SLM can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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.
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. Motion SLM has a Spring 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 MartinLogan Motion SLM's and MartinLogan 35XTi's external dimensions. MartinLogan Motion SLM has external dimensions of 642.9 x 163.5 x 47.6mm () whereas MartinLogan 35XTi has external dimensions of 343.0 x 192.0 x 300.0mm (13.5 x 7.5 x 11.8inch).
MartinLogan Motion SLM is 28.5mm narrower and 252.4mm less deeper than MartinLogan 35XTi but it is also 299.9mm taller.
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.
MartinLogan 35XTi needs about 640% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan 35XTi is 252mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan Motion SLM is 300mm 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 Motion SLM is approximately 77.8cm2 / 12.1inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 35XTi is approximately 576.0cm2 / 89.3inch2. The Motion SLM requires 86% less surface area than the Motion 35XTi 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 SLM weighs 2.95kg / 6.5lbs and the MartinLogan 35XTi weighs 8.40kg / 18.5lbs. This makes the Motion 35XTi 185% heavier than the Motion SLM.
Here is a comparison of how Motion SLM and Motion 35XTi'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 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
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
92 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Base Surface Area |
77cm2
vs
576cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
110 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
343mm
vs
642mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion SLM |
MartinLogan Motion 35XTi |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
110-25k Hz |
50-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1x1.4" |
1.25 x 2.4" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion Ribbon |
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 |
642.9mm (25.3") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
163.5mm (6.4") |
192.0mm (7.6") |
| Depth |
47.6mm (1.9") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Weight |
2.95kg (6.5lbs) |
8.40kg (18.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Years |
Siblings in MartinLogan's Motion series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | MartinLogan 35XTi digs deeper - 50Hz against 110Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | MartinLogan Motion SLM is more sensitive (94dB vs 92dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | MartinLogan Motion SLM is easier to place; MartinLogan 35XTi is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
| Expandability | B | MartinLogan 35XTi: bi-amping. |
A MartinLogan Motion SLM 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?
MartinLogan 35XTi has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 110Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, MartinLogan 35XTi has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, MartinLogan Motion SLM is the easier speaker to get right.
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.