In this review, we will be comparing Sonetto 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 Sonetto Center I and MartinLogan 30i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Sonetto 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 Sonetto 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 Sonetto CI and Motion 30i are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Sonus Sonetto Center I |
MartinLogan 30i |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1.0 x 1.4-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
2 x 6-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Sonetto CI features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1.550 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
Sonetto CI has a frequency range of 60-25k Hz whereas Motion 30i has a frequency range of 65-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the Sonetto CI can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Motion 30i's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
Sonetto CI and Motion 30i have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Sonetto CI sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Motion 30i's is at 91 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the MartinLogan 30i a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Sonetto 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 Sonetto CI and the Sonetto 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.
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
Sonetto 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
Both Sonetto CI and Motion 30i 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 Sonus Sonetto Center I's and MartinLogan 30i's external dimensions. Sonus Sonetto Center I has external dimensions of 242.0 x 495.0 x 303.0mm ( 10 x 20 x 12inch) 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 Sonetto Center I is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 72mm wider, 65mm taller and 22mm deeper than MartinLogan 30i.
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 Sonetto Center I is approximately 1499.9cm2 / 232.5inch2 and base area of the MartinLogan 30i is approximately 1188.6cm2 / 184.2inch2. The Sonetto CI requires 26% more surface area than the Motion 30i which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Sonetto Center I weighs 6.50kg / 14.3lbs and the MartinLogan 30i weighs 8.18kg / 18lbs. This makes the Motion 30i 26% heavier than the Sonetto CI.
Here is a comparison of how Sonetto 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 Sonetto Center I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Sonetto CI:
1 Masks1 Fabric dust guards1 Basis2 Jumpers1 Manual
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
Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
90 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Height |
177mm
vs
242mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
1188cm2 (423x281mm)
vs
1499cm2 (495x303mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center I |
MartinLogan Motion 30i |
Brand |
Sonus Faber |
MartinLogan |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
50-200 watts |
20-200 watts |
Sensitivity |
90 dB |
91 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
60-25k Hz |
65-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
2 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
aluminum cone |
Aluminum |
Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1.0 x 1.4" |
Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD Dome |
Folded Motion |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
1.550 Hz |
400Hz and 2600Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
242.0mm (9.5") |
177.0mm (7") |
Width |
495.0mm (19.5") |
423.0mm (16.7") |
Depth |
303.0mm (11.9") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
Weight |
6.50kg (14.3lbs) |
8.18kg (18lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
Available Colors |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
White |
Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |