In this review, we will be comparing S10 and Motion 15i, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and MartinLogan. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk S10 and MartinLogan 15i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk S10 and MartinLogan 15i 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 S10 and MartinLogan 15i 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 S10 and Motion 15i are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Polk S10 |
MartinLogan 15i |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
S10 features a 1" Terylene Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Mica-reinforced polypropylene Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz. On the other hand, the Motion 15i 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
S10 has a frequency range of 67-40k Hz whereas Motion 15i has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the Motion 15i can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S10's min frequency of 67Hz.
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
S10 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Motion 15i which has a nominal impedance of 5 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. S10 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Motion 15i's is rated at 92 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 15i a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk S10, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
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.
S10 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas S10 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the Motion 15i.
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
S10 features Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts type posts and Motion 15i has a Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both S10 and Motion 15i 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 S10's and MartinLogan 15i's external dimensions. Polk S10 has external dimensions of 214.0 x 127.0 x 155.0mm ( 8.4 x 5.0 x 6.1inch) whereas MartinLogan 15i has external dimensions of 290.0 x 173.0 x 240.0mm ( 11.4 x 6.8 x 9.4inch) .
MartinLogan 15i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 46mm wider, 76mm taller and 85mm deeper than Polk S10.
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 S10 is approximately 196.9cm2 / 30.5inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 15i is approximately 415.2cm2 / 64.4inch2. The S10 requires 53% less surface area than the Motion 15i 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 Polk S10 weighs 2.73kg / 6lbs and the MartinLogan 15i weighs 5.40kg / 11.9lbs. This makes the Motion 15i 98% heavier than the S10.
Here is a comparison of how S10 and Motion 15i'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 S10?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of S10:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grille (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetWall-mount templateOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 15i?
Here are the items that come with the Motion 15i:
Bookshelf loudspeaker Grille 4 Rubber feet Users Manual Warranty/Registration Information
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
5 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
214mm
vs
290mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
196cm2 (127x155mm)
vs
415cm2 (173x240mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
67 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
General |
Polk Audio Signature S10 |
MartinLogan Motion 15i |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
MartinLogan |
Speaker Type |
Satellite speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
20-100 watts |
20-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
92 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
5 ohms |
Frequency Response |
67-40k Hz |
60-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Mica-reinforced polypropylene |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.0 x 1.4" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Folded Motion |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2500Hz |
2700Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
214.0mm (8.4") |
290.0mm (11.4") |
Width |
127.0mm (5") |
173.0mm (6.8") |
Depth |
155.0mm (6.1") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
Weight |
2.73kg (6lbs) |
5.40kg (11.9lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
Meddite MDF |
MDF/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Black |
Gloss Black, Matt White, Red Walnut |
Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
28-31" |
26-28" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |