In this review, we will be comparing Motion SLM and Motion LX16, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by MartinLogan.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion SLM and MartinLogan LX16 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | MartinLogan Motion SLM | MartinLogan LX16 |
|---|
| Brand | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1x1.4" Folded Motion Ribbon | 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4" | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 110-25k Hz | 60-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 92 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 5 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.95kg / 6.5lbs | 5.40kg / 11.9lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 11.0" x 6.4" x 9.5"
280.0 x 165.0 x 242.0mm |
|---|
Motion SLM 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
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 LX16 are 2-way speakers.
MartinLogan Motion SLMMartinLogan LX16
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 LX16 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1x1.4-inch
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Motion SLM features a 1x1.4" Folded Motion Ribbon Tweeter and 2 x 4" Woofer. 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 SLM has a frequency range of 110-25k Hz whereas Motion LX16 has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the Motion LX16 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 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Motion LX16 which has a nominal impedance of 5 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 SLM can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Motion SLM sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the Motion LX16's is rated at 92 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Motion SLM a more sensitive speaker compared to MartinLogan LX16, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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 SLM 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 LX16's Custom 5-way binding posts terminals
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 LX16's external dimensions. MartinLogan Motion SLM has external dimensions of 642.9 x 163.5 x 47.6mm () whereas MartinLogan LX16 has external dimensions of 280.0 x 165.0 x 242.0mm (11.0 x 6.4 x 9.5inch).
MartinLogan Motion SLM is 1.5mm narrower and 194.4mm less deeper than MartinLogan LX16 but it is also 362.9mm 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 LX16 needs about 413% more floor or shelf area. MartinLogan LX16 is 194mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. MartinLogan Motion SLM is 363mm 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 LX16 is approximately 399.3cm2 / 61.9inch2. The Motion SLM requires 81% less surface area than the Motion LX16 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 LX16 weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Motion LX16 83% heavier than the Motion SLM.
Here is a comparison of how Motion SLM 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 LX16?
Here are the items that come with the Motion LX16:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Magnetic grille
- 4 Rubber bumpers
- User's Manual (En/Fr)
 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
399cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Nominal Impedance |
5 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
110 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
280mm
vs
642mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion SLM |
MartinLogan Motion LX16 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
MartinLogan |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
92 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
110-25k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1x1.4" |
1.0 x 1.4" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion Ribbon |
Folded Motion |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2700Hz |
| 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") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Width |
163.5mm (6.4") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
47.6mm (1.9") |
242.0mm (9.5") |
| Weight |
2.95kg (6.5lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
Piano Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Cherry (dark) |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
3/18-16 threaded insert |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
28-31" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Yrs w/Registration |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Yrs w/ Registration |
5 Yrs w/Registration |
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 LX16 digs deeper - 60Hz against 110Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | MartinLogan Motion SLM is more sensitive (94dB vs 92dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | MartinLogan LX16 is the easier load at 5 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | MartinLogan Motion SLM is easier to place; MartinLogan LX16 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Passive Radiator vs Ported. |
A MartinLogan Motion SLM B MartinLogan LX16
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 LX16 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 LX16 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.