In this review, we will be comparing Motion XT B100 and S400 MKII, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from MartinLogan and Buchardt. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Buchardt S400 MKII first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Buchardt S400 MKII 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 XT B100 and Buchardt S400 MKII 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 XT B100 and S400 MKII are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
MartinLogan Motion XT B100 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
0.74-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
Motion XT B100 features a 1.25 x 2.4" Folded Motion XT Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the S400 MKII features a 0.74" fine weave soft fabric textile aluminum waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.
Frequency Response
Motion XT B100 has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas S400 MKII has a frequency range of 33-40k HZ. With a minimum frequency of 33Hz, the S400 MKII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion XT B100's min frequency of 45Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
MartinLogan Motion XT B100
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 XT B100 and S400 MKII have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Motion XT B100 sensitivity is rated at 93 dB and the S400 MKII's is at 88 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 a more sensitive speaker compared to Buchardt S400 MKII, 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 XT B100 and the Motion XT B100 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf 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 XT B100 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S400 MKII has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Motion XT B100.
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.
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 XT B100's and Buchardt S400 MKII's external dimensions. MartinLogan Motion XT B100 has external dimensions of 368 x 203 x 318mm ( 14-1/2-inch x 8inch x 12-1/2inch ) whereas Buchardt S400 MKII has external dimensions of 365.0 x 180.0 x 280.0mm ( 14.4 x 7 x 11inch) .
MartinLogan Motion XT B100 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 23mm wider, 3mm taller and 38mm deeper than Buchardt S400 MKII.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Buchardt S400 MKII in scale.
Comparison image of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Buchardt S400 MKII Size and External Dimensions
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 XT B100 is approximately 645.5cm2 / 100.1inch2 and base area of the Buchardt S400 MKII is approximately 504.0cm2 / 78.1inch2. The Motion XT B100 requires 28% more surface area than the S400 MKII which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Buchardt S400 MKII on a Media Console
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 XT B100 weighs 9.30kg / 20.5lbs and the Buchardt S400 MKII weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs. This makes the Motion XT B100 24% heavier than the S400 MKII.
Here is a comparison of how Motion XT B100 and S400 MKII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
MartinLogan Motion XT B100
 Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
1598USD
vs
2200USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Low Frequency Response |
33 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
one 5x8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Height |
365mm
vs
368mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
504cm2 (180x280mm)
vs
645cm2 (203x318mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
MartinLogan Motion® XT B100 |
Buchardt S400 MKII |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Buchardt |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
20-250 watts |
40-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
93 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
33-40k HZ |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1.25 x 2.4" |
0.74" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion XT |
aluminum waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
1800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
368.0mm (14.5") |
365.0mm (14.4") |
| Width |
203.0mm (8") |
180.0mm (7.1") |
| Depth |
318.0mm (12.5") |
280.0mm (11") |
| Weight |
9.30kg (20.5lbs) |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Walnut, and Satin White |
Black, White, Walnut, Rosewood, Light Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
10 years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
10 years |