In this review, we will be comparing Lumina CI and Motion 30i, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sonus Faber and MartinLogan. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina Center I and MartinLogan 30i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina Center I and MartinLogan 30i 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 Sonus Lumina Center I and MartinLogan 30i 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 Lumina CI and Motion 30i are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Lumina Center I |
MartinLogan 30i |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 4.75-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Lumina CI features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 2 x 4.75" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000 Hz. On the other hand, the Motion 30i features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400Hz and 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
Lumina CI has a frequency range of 65-24k Hz whereas Motion 30i has a frequency range of 65-25k Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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
Lumina CI and Motion 30i have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Lumina CI sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Motion 30i's is at 91 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 30i a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina Center I, 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 Lumina CI and the Lumina CI can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Lumina CI can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Lumina CI has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the Motion 30i.
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
Lumina CI features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Motion 30i has a Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Lumina CI has a front firing port whereas Motion 30i has a rear firing ports. Sonus Lumina Center I's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to MartinLogan 30i 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 Sonus Lumina Center I's and MartinLogan 30i's external dimensions. Sonus Lumina Center I has external dimensions of 169.0 x 524.0 x 213.0mm ( 6.6 x 20.6 x 8.4inch) whereas MartinLogan 30i has external dimensions of 177.0 x 423.0 x 281.0mm ( 6-15/16 x 16-5/8 x 11-1/16inch) .
Sonus Lumina Center I is 8mm shorter and 68mm less deeper than MartinLogan 30i but it is also 101mm wider.
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 Sonus Lumina Center I is approximately 1116.1cm2 / 173.0inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 30i is approximately 1188.6cm2 / 184.2inch2. The Lumina CI requires 6% less surface area than the Motion 30i 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 Sonus Lumina Center I weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs and the MartinLogan 30i weighs 8.18kg / 18lbs. This makes the Motion 30i 8% heavier than the Lumina CI.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina CI and Motion 30i's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Sonus Lumina Center I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Lumina CI:
1 Center Channel Speaker1 Manual 2 Jumpers1 Grilles 1 Fabric dust guards
What's in the Box of MartinLogan 30i?
Here are the items that come with the Motion 30i:
Center-channel loudspeaker Grille 4 Rubber feet Users Manual Warranty/Registration Information
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Height |
169mm
vs
177mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1116cm2 (524x213mm)
vs
1188cm2 (423x281mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
699USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
General |
Sonus Faber Lumina Center I |
MartinLogan Motion 30i |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
MartinLogan |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
30-100 watts |
20-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
91 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
65-24k Hz |
65-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.75" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1.0 x 1.4" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Folded Motion |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
2000 Hz |
400Hz and 2600Hz |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
169.0mm (6.7") |
177.0mm (7") |
Width |
524.0mm (20.6") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
Depth |
213.0mm (8.4") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
Weight |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
8.18kg (18lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
White |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |