In this review, we will be comparing Motion XT B100 and Elysian 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from MartinLogan and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Wharfedale Elysian 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Wharfedale Elysian 1 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 Wharfedale Elysian 1 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 Elysian 1 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
MartinLogan Motion XT B100 |
Wharfedale Elysian 1 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
27x90mm-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 7-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 Elysian 1 features a 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter and 1 x 7" Coated Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
Motion XT B100 has a frequency range of 45-25k Hz whereas Elysian 1 has a frequency range of 49-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Motion XT B100 can go slightly deeper then the Elysian 1's min frequency of 49Hz.
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 Elysian 1 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 Elysian 1's is at 89 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Motion XT B100 a more sensitive speaker compared to Wharfedale Elysian 1, 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 Elysian 1 has a max power handling value of 175 watts RMS, 75 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
Both Motion XT B100 and Elysian 1 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Motion XT B100 has a rear firing port whereas Elysian 1 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale Elysian 1's bottom-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 Wharfedale Elysian 1'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 Wharfedale Elysian 1 has external dimensions of 458.0 x 264.0 x 316.0mm ( 18-24 x 10-3/8 x 12-7/16inch) .
MartinLogan Motion XT B100 is 61mm narrower and 90mm shorter than Wharfedale Elysian 1 but it is also 2mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of MartinLogan Motion XT B100 and Wharfedale Elysian 1 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 Wharfedale Elysian 1 is approximately 834.2cm2 / 129.3inch2. The Motion XT B100 requires 23% less surface area than the Elysian 1 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 Wharfedale Elysian 1 weighs 15.03kg / 33.1lbs. This makes the Elysian 1 62% heavier than the Motion XT B100.
Here is a comparison of how Motion XT B100 and Elysian 1'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 Wharfedale Elysian 1?
Here are the items that come with the Elysian 1:
2 Stand-mount loudspeakers2 Grilles4 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed)User Manual
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
175 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
49 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
368mm
vs
458mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
645cm2 (203x318mm)
vs
834cm2 (264x316mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1598USD
vs
4995USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
General |
MartinLogan Motion® XT B100 |
Wharfedale Elysian 1 |
Brand |
MartinLogan |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-250 watts |
25-175 watts |
Sensitivity |
93 dB |
89 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
45-25k Hz |
49-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
7" |
Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Coated Fiberglass |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Foamed Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.25 x 2.4" |
27x90mm" |
Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion XT |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Suggested Break-in Period |
Allow 72 hours of break-in |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
368.0mm (14.5") |
458.0mm (18") |
Width |
203.0mm (8") |
264.0mm (10.4") |
Depth |
318.0mm (12.5") |
316.0mm (12.4") |
Weight |
9.30kg (20.5lbs) |
15.03kg (33.1lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Gloss Black, Walnut, and Satin White |
Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
18-24" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |