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MartinLogan Motion 30i Review
MartinLogan Motion 30i

Main Features

  • 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter
  • 5.25" Aluminum Woofer
  • 65-25k Hz Frequency Response
  • 91 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range: 20-200watts
  • Weight:18.00 lbs / 8.18 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 6-15/16"x16-5/8"x11-1/16" / 177.0 x 423.0 x 281.0mm
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MartinLogan 30i Review
MartinLogan 30i MartinLogan 30i
See at AMAZON

MartinLogan Motion 30i is a 2-way Passive Bass Reflex Center Channel speaker by MartinLogan. Center channel speaker is an important component of a home theater system set-up as it delivers the listener significant part of the on-screen dialogue from your television. It features a 1.0 x 1.4" Folded Motion Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 65-25k Hz and a sensitivity of 91 dB. MartinLogan 30i has an MSRP of 900$ but can often be found around 675$ per pair.

Room Size Suitability

The size of the room where you plan to use the MartinLogan 30i is a crucial factor in your decision. We have assessed its suitability for various room sizes based on its dimensions and maximum power output:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldPoor
Small RoomAverage
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomAverage
Very Large RoomPoor

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

MartinLogan's Motion Series of Loudspeakers

Motion 30i is a member of MartinLogan's Motion series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
MartinLogan 15i
Compare
60-25k Hz 92 dB5Ω 1 x 5.25"
MartinLogan 35XTi
Compare
50-25k Hz 92 dB4Ω 1 x 6.5"
MartinLogan 60XTi
Compare
35-25k Hz 94 dB4Ω 2 x 8"
MartinLogan 50XTi
Compare
50-25k Hz 94 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
MartinLogan LX16
Compare
60-25k Hz 92 dB5Ω 1 x 5.25"
MartinLogan 40i
Compare
40-25k Hz 92 dB4Ω 2 x 6.5"
MartinLogan 20i
Compare
46-25k Hz 90 dB4Ω 2 x 5.5"
MartinLogan 30i
65-25k Hz 91 dB4Ω 1 x 5.25"
MartinLogan 6i
Compare
120-23k Hz 89 dB6Ω 2 x 3.5"
MartinLogan 8i
Compare
70-23k Hz 89 dB4Ω 2 x 4"
MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers
MartinLogan Motion Series Speakers


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequency Response of the MartinLogan 30i Speaker

MartinLogan 30i has a Frequency response range of 65-25k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 20-200 watts. Here we have a comparison of how Motion 30i's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.

Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan 30i
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan 30i
Min
Average
Max

MartinLogan 30i Tweeter
MartinLogan 30i's Folded Motion Tweeter

Crossover frequency of the MartinLogan 30i?

The Crossover frequency of the Motion 30i is set to 400Hz and 2600Hz. This is the threshold frequency where the higher frequency signals over this level are sent to the tweeter and the lower-frequency signals are sent to the woofer by the crossover component.

MartinLogan 30i Crossover
MartinLogan 30i Crossover is set to 400Hz and 2600Hz

Impedance and Sensitivity

MartinLogan 30i's nominal impedance level is 4 ohms and has a sensitivity of 91 dB.

Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan 30i
Min
Average
Max

Nominal Impedance of the 4 Ohms means that the MartinLogan Motion 30i is a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective, make sure that you choose an amplifier than can provide 4 Ohms for this speaker.
Many AVRs (audio/video receiver) in the market may have difficulty when the speakers dip below the 4 Ohms levels (this may cause clipping or even physical damage), so we recommend to not pair the MartinLogan Motion 30i with an AVR but use an Integrated Amplifier instead.

Sensitivity

91dB of the MartinLogan Motion 30i is considered a high sensitivity compared to average stereo speaker which makes Motion 30i an easy to drive from Sensitivity perspective. If you are planning to power your speaker with a Tube amp which are generally very low power, the MartinLogan 30i will be a good choice.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the MartinLogan 30i:

  • Integrated Amps under 750 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 1000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 1500 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

Motion 30i features Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts type connectors. Bi-amping and Bi-wiring are not possible.
MartinLogan 30i Back View
MartinLogan 30i Back View

Recommended Break In

Allow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB.

MartinLogan 30i External Dimensions and Weight

MartinLogan 30i has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 6-15/16 x 16-5/8 x 11-1/16inch (177.0 x 423.0 x 281.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of MartinLogan 30i is approximately 1188.6cm2 / 184.2inch2.

Weight

The MartinLogan 30i weighs 8.18kg / 18lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how Motion 30i's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
MartinLogan 30i
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $1000
MartinLogan 30i
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

MartinLogan 30i has a Bass Reflex type cabinet and a MDF/Lacquer finish. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

MartinLogan 30i  - Side View
MartinLogan 30i - Side View

Speaker Feet

MartinLogan 30i comes with 4 Rubber feet which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on.

It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.

MartinLogan 30i  Feet
MartinLogan 30i Feet

Port Position

MartinLogan 30i is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe.

Available colors

MartinLogan 30i is available in White.

Does the MartinLogan 30i come with a Grille?

Motion 30i comes with magnetic grilles. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible. Since the included grille of the Motion 30i is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.

What's in the Box of MartinLogan 30i?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of Motion 30i:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 4 Rubber feet
  • Users Manual
  • Warranty/Registration Information
  • Recommended Accessories

    Here is a list of accessories that we think you may need for the MartinLogan Motion 30i.

    • Speaker Cable and Connectors
      • Speaker Cables with Banana Plugs: If you know the lenght of the cable you need, this is the easier option to connect your speakers with your amp.
      • Speaker Cables without Connectors: If you are not sure about the lenght or need longer than standard cables with plugs, choose this option.
      • Banana Connectors and Plugs: If you chose the cables without connectors option or already have some cable around, pick the banana plugs separately.
    • Vibration Isolators: IsoAcoustics isolators more affordable options too.
    • Acoustic Panels and Treatments: Your room is as important as your stereo equipment so acoustic treatments goes a long way in improving the overall performance.

    User's Manual

    For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the MartinLogan Motion 30i, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
    Download User Manual for MartinLogan 30i

    Official Brochure

    Here is a link to download the official brochure for the MartinLogan Motion 30i speaker:
    Official Brochure for MartinLogan 30i

    Official Product Page

    Official manufacturer's product page for the MartinLogan Motion 30i speaker can be found below:
    Official Product Page for MartinLogan 30i

    Warranty

    5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

    MartinLogan Motion 30i Alternatives in Passive Center Channel Speakers
    Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
    MartinLogan 50XTi
    Compare
    3-way 94 dB 4 ohms 50-25k Hz
    MartinLogan 8i
    Compare
    2-way 89 dB 4 ohms 70-23k Hz
    MartinLogan 6i
    Compare
    2-way 89 dB 6 ohms 120-23k Hz
    MartinLogan 15i
    Compare
    2-way 92 dB 5 ohms 60-25k Hz
    MartinLogan 40i
    Compare
    3-way 92 dB 4 ohms 40-25k Hz
    MartinLogan 20i
    Compare
    2-way 90 dB 4 ohms 46-25k Hz
    MartinLogan 60XTi
    Compare
    3-way 94 dB 4 ohms 35-25k Hz
    MartinLogan LX16
    Compare
    2-way 92 dB 5 ohms 60-25k Hz
    Frequently Asked Questions about MartinLogan Motion 30i
    What is the External Dimensions of MartinLogan Motion 30i
    What is the Speaker Sensitivity of MartinLogan Motion 30i
    is the MartinLogan Motion 30i an easy to drive speaker?

    MartinLogan 30i Detailed Specifications

    General
    BrandMartinLogan
    Full Model NameMartinLogan Motion 30i
    Speaker Type2-way Center Channel
    Suggested Break-in PeriodAllow 72 hours of break-in at 90 dB
    Power Range20-200 watts
    Sensitivity91 dB
    Impedance4 ohms
    Frequency Response65-25k Hz
    DRIVERS
    Woofer Size5.25-inch
    Woofer CompositionAluminum
    Woofer SurroundRubber
    Tweeter Size1.0 x 1.4-inch
    Tweeter TypeFolded Motion
    Crossover freq400Hz and 2600Hz
    Port Positionrear

    CONNECTIONS
    Connector TypeCustom 5-way tool-less binding posts
    Biamp InputsNo
    Port Positionrear
    PHYSICAL SPECS
    Height177.0mm ( 6-15/16-inch)
    Width423.0mm ( 16-5/8-inch)
    Depth281.0mm ( 11-1/16-inch)
    Height177.0mm ( 6-15/16-inch)
    Weight8.18kg ( 18.00 lbs)
    EnclosureBass Reflex
    FinishMDF/Lacquer
    Available ColorsWhite
    Mounting BracketNo
    GrilleYes
    Moisture ResistanceNo
    OTHER
    Handheld RemoteNo
    Parts Warranty5 Years
    Labor Warranty5 Years
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