In this review, we will be comparing Motion XT B100 and L100 Classic, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from MartinLogan and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and JBL L100 Classic first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and JBL L100 Classic 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 JBL L100 Classic 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Motion XT B100 is a 2-way design whereas the L100 Classic is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Driver |
MartinLogan Motion XT B100 |
JBL L100 Classic |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 5.25-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 12-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 L100 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 12" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 450Hz and 3500Hz.
Frequency Response
Motion XT B100 has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas L100 Classic has a frequency range of 40-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the L100 Classic 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 L100 Classic 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 L100 Classic's is at 90 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 a more sensitive speaker compared to JBL L100 Classic, 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 L100 Classic 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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Motion XT B100 features Custom 5-way bi-wire tool-less binding posts posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. L100 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Motion XT B100 has a rear firing port whereas L100 Classic has a front firing ports. JBL L100 Classic's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to MartinLogan Motion XT B100 with its rear-firing 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 Motion XT B100's and JBL L100 Classic'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 JBL L100 Classic has external dimensions of 636.5 x 389.6 x 371.5mm ( 25.0 x 15.3 x 14.6inch) .
JBL L100 Classic is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 186.6mm wider, 268.5mm taller and 53.5mm deeper than MartinLogan Motion XT B100.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and JBL L100 Classic in scale.
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 JBL L100 Classic is approximately 1447.4cm2 / 224.3inch2. The Motion XT B100 requires 55% less surface area than the L100 Classic 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 XT B100 weighs 9.30kg / 20.5lbs and the JBL L100 Classic weighs 26.70kg / 58.7lbs. This makes the L100 Classic 187% heavier than the Motion XT B100.
Here is a comparison of how Motion XT B100 and L100 Classic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
MartinLogan Motion XT B100
What's in the Box of JBL L100 Classic?
Here are the items that come with the L100 Classic:
Bookshelf loudspeaker
Grille
Owner's Manual
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Height |
368mm
vs
636mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
645cm2 (203x318mm)
vs
1447cm2 (389x371mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1598USD
vs
4400USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
General |
MartinLogan Motion® XT B100 |
JBL L100 Classic |
Brand |
MartinLogan |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-250 watts |
25-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
93 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
40-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
12" |
Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Pulp |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.25 x 2.4" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion XT |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
5.25" |
Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
450Hz and 3500Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
368.0mm (14.5") |
636.5mm (25.1") |
Width |
203.0mm (8") |
389.6mm (15.3") |
Depth |
318.0mm (12.5") |
371.5mm (14.6") |
Weight |
9.30kg (20.5lbs) |
26.70kg (58.7lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Genuine walnut veneer |
Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Walnut, and Satin White |
Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |