In this review, we will be comparing L200 and Motion 35XTi, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and MartinLogan. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk L200 and MartinLogan 35XTi first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk L200 and MartinLogan 35XTi 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 Polk L200 and MartinLogan 35XTi 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both L200 and Motion 35XTi are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Polk L200 |
MartinLogan 35XTi |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.25 x 2.4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
L200 features a 1" Ring Radiator Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. 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
L200 has a frequency range of 46-38k Hz whereas Motion 35XTi has a frequency range of 50-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the L200 can go slightly deeper then the Motion 35XTi's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
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
L200 and Motion 35XTi have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. L200 sensitivity is rated at 85.5 dB and the Motion 35XTi's is at 92 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 35XTi a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk L200, 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 L200 and the L200 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.
L200 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas L200 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Motion 35XTi.
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 L200 and Motion 35XTi features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both L200 and Motion 35XTi have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Polk L200's and MartinLogan 35XTi's external dimensions. Polk L200 has external dimensions of 399.0 x 213.0 x 339.0mm ( 15-11/16 x 8-3/8 x 13-5/16inch) whereas MartinLogan 35XTi has external dimensions of 343.0 x 192.0 x 300.0mm ( 13.5 x 7.5 x 11.8inch) .
Polk L200 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 21mm wider, 56mm taller and 39mm deeper than MartinLogan 35XTi.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk L200 and MartinLogan 35XTi 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 Polk L200 is approximately 722.1cm2 / 111.9inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 35XTi is approximately 576.0cm2 / 89.3inch2. The L200 requires 25% more surface area than the Motion 35XTi 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:
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 Polk L200 weighs 10.00kg / 22lbs and the MartinLogan 35XTi weighs 8.40kg / 18.5lbs. This makes the L200 19% heavier than the Motion 35XTi.
Here is a comparison of how L200 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 Polk L200?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L200:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles Cleaning cloth Owners Manual Online Registration
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
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
38k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Height |
343mm
vs
399mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
576cm2 (192x300mm)
vs
722cm2 (213x339mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
General |
Polk Audio Legend L200 |
MartinLogan Motion 35XTi |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
MartinLogan |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-200 watts |
20-250 watts |
Sensitivity |
85.5 dB |
92 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
3 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
46-38k Hz |
50-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Polypropylene |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.25 x 2.4" |
Tweeter Type |
Ring Radiator |
Folded Motion XT |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
2200Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
399.0mm (15.7") |
343.0mm (13.5") |
Width |
213.0mm (8.4") |
192.0mm (7.6") |
Depth |
339.0mm (13.3") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
Weight |
10.00kg (22lbs) |
8.40kg (18.5lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Brown Walnut, Black Ash |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
22-26" |
24-26" |
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 |